1989 in Australian television

none October 2025 July 2015 May 2014 1989 Australian television Below is a list of television-related events in 1989. Events December 1988 / January – Young Talent Time was rested by Network Ten during the Cricket / Australian Open seasonNovember 2020. One week into January 1989 the network announced that the show would not return. Reasons given for YTT's axing are very bad ratings. It was unable to match its rivals from Seven or Nine. January – Nine Network launches two brand new daytime talk shows: In Melbourne Today and In Sydney Today, which later merge to become Ernie and Denise. January – Seven Network purchases the Australian television rights to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics for $40 million. 13 January – American police drama series Hill Street Blues switches over to broadcast on ABC. 25 January – Network Ten debuts a brand new evening drama series: E Street (1989–1993). 30 January – Network Ten launches a brand new local morning series called Til Ten (1989–1991) hosted by Andrew HarwoodNovember 2020 and Joan McInnes. 6 February – The Afternoon Show (1987–1993) returns to the ABC for another year with a brand new lineup of two programmes presented by James Valentine. The two programmes include the debut of the British children's animated series Count Duckula and a repeat of the very first episode of Doctor Who to feature Tom Baker, Robot. 11 February – Long running Australian soap opera Home and Away starts airing in the UK for the very first time on ITV. 13 February – Australian investigative journalism/current affairs program Four Corners (1961–present) returns to the ABC for another year with Andrew Olle as presenter once again. 14 February – A brand new Australian sitcom called The Family Business (1989) starring Shane Withington debuts on Network Ten. The series ran for only one season and 13 episodes. 14 February – American sitcom Roseanne premieres on Network Ten. 28 February – A brand new live comedy series The Big Gig premieres on ABC (1989–1992). 28 February – Australian miniseries Edens Lost debuts on ABC at 8:30pm. The series only ran for three episodes and was shown on three days and one week with a budget of only $A3.9 million. 6 March – The Adventures of Spot, a British children's animated TV series based on the books by Eric Hill and aimed at pre-schoolers, debuts on the ABC. 7 March – Australian drama series G.P. (1989–1996) debuts on the ABC. 13 March – Australian version of the children's game show Double Dare (1989–1992) airs on Network Ten. 15 March – First episode of the new Australian police drama Police Rescue (1989–1996) airs on the ABC. 17 March – Bert Newton hosts the TV Week Logie Awards, telecast on the Seven Network for the first time. 20 March – The Bert Newton Show and new soap opera The Power, The Passion launch on the Seven Network, only shown for a few months, but later cancelled after a strong competition win with Midday with Ray Martin. 23 March – Long running Australian soap opera Home and Away begins airing on British forces television on BFBS and SSVC Television. The networks have transmitted the show in a range of countries including Germany, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands. 31 March – Phase 1 of Aggregation of television services occurs in Southern NSW, with WIN Television becoming a regional Nine Network affiliate, Prime Television becoming the Seven Network affiliate & Capital Television (now Southern Cross Ten) becoming the Network Ten affiliate. April – American TV executive Bob Shanks is hired by Network Ten to lift its ailing ratings. 12 April – Accident-proneNovember 2020 sketch comedy Fast Forward starring Steve Vizard, Marg Downey, Jane Turner, Gina Riley, Magda Szubanski (Kath & Kim) premieres on Seven Network (1989–1992). 1 May – Australian children's programme Swap Shop returns to the ABC for a brand new series. 6 May – Final episode of the Australian music television series The Factory (1987–1989) is broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation at 9:00am. 8 May – Australian media analysis television program Media Watch (1989–2000, 2002–present) presented by Stuart Littlemore debuts on the ABC airing on Monday nights. 8 May – Australian 7 episode sitcom Dearest Enemy starring Grigor Taylor, Frank Wilson and Bruce Spence premieres on ABC. 26 May – Neighbours launches a newly revised theme song, with an overload of new cast members who will be "boned" or "suspended" from the soap indefinitely between now and 1994. Between August and November 1989 Neighbours suffered poor ratings with 290,000 national viewers compared to Seven's Home and Away 1,500,000 nationally. The new-look and re-recorded Neighbours theme was again sung by Barry Crocker, which was used until mid-1992. 13 June – Australian children's sitcom Pugwall (1989–1991) debuts on the Nine Network. 16 June – SBS launches a new television series called Eat Carpet (1989–2005). Hosted by Annette Shun Wah who was also the host of SBS's other television series MC Tee Vee and The Noise 3 July – A new nightly version of the former long-running weekly Australian music television show Countdown airs on ABC with a new title Countdown Revolution hosted by Andy McLean, Lisa Collins and Daniel Woods. The show itself received a modest following and was axed the following year. 22 July – American animated series ThunderCats airs on Seven Network in Victoria for the first time. 23 July – Network Ten is relaunched as 10 TV Australia, introducing a new lineup with increased game show content. Most of the new shows are axed by the end of the year following poor ratings. 29 July – Australian game show The Price is Right, again hosted by Ian Turpie, returns to television airing on 10 TV Australia at 7:30pm on Saturdays as part of the network's attempted revamp. Despite the show returning, only 12 episodes were lasted in the face of stiff competition of AFL coverage on most-watchedNovember 2020 rival Channel Seven. 9 August – Greek-Australian sitcom, Acropolis Now premieres on Seven Network in Australia (1989–1992). September – Network Ten is sold to Steve Cosser, head of Broadcom Australia, for $22 million.September 2009 9 October – Neighbours, Australian television's long running soap opera has been snapped up for television broadcasting in Germany when the series begins airing on Sat. 1 with the title beginning translated to Nachbarn. 14 October – After very nastyNovember 2020 ratings, the final episode of the Australian game show The Price is Right airs on 10 TV Australia. 21 October – British science fiction sitcom Red Dwarf premieres on ABC. 22 October – The 1985 film Back to the Future starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd premieres on 10 TV Australia. November – Jacki MacDonald quits Hey Hey It's Saturday after 11 years. McDonald is replaced by Denise Drysdale when the show returns in 1990. 17 November – Australian dating game show Perfect Match airs its final episode on 10 TV Australia. The show was cancelled due to poor ratings, failing to match the success of its 1984 series, which broke records for 5:30pm. December – The Seven Network wins the 1989 ratings year with a record of 34.0% share.November 2020 5 December – Australian soap opera Home and Away begins its very first broadcast in New Zealand on the country's already newly launched channel TV3. 16 December – The late Australian rock musician Brad Robinson of Australian Crawl fame presents a brand new Australia music program on 10 TV Australia called Spin. 31 December – Phase 2 of Aggregation of Television services occurs in Orange & Wagga Wagga, with aggregation occurring in Wollongong and Canberra in March. Television Debuts Program Network Debut date E Street Network Ten 1989-01-25 25 January Til Ten Network Ten 1989-01-30 30 January Australia's Most Wanted Seven Network 1989-02-05 5 February Tanamera – Lion of Singapore Network Ten 1989-02-07 7 February The Family Business Network Ten 1989-02-14 14 February Edens Lost ABC TV 1989-02-28 28 February The Big Gig ABC TV 1989-02-28 28 February G.P. ABC TV 1989-03-07 7 March Double Dare Network Ten 1989-03-13 13 March Police Rescue ABC TV 1989-03-15 15 March The Bert Newton Show Seven Network 1989-03-20 20 March The Power, The Passion Seven Network 1989-03-20 20 March Couchman ABC TV 1989-04-12 12 April Fast Forward Seven Network 1989-04-12 12 April Living with the Law ABC TV 1989-04-24 24 April Media Watch ABC TV 1989-05-08 8 May Dearest Enemy ABC TV 1989-05-08 8 May This Man... This Woman ABC TV 1989-05-24 24 May Bunyip ABC TV 1989-06-05 5 June Pugwall Nine Network 1989-06-13 13 June Eat Carpet SBS TV 1989-06-16 16 June Club 10 Network Ten 1989-06-17 17 June Countdown Revolution ABC TV 1989-07-03 3 July Shadow of the Cobra Seven Network 1989-07-23 23 July Family Double Dare 10 TV Australia 1989-07-24 24 July Candid Camera on Australia 10 TV Australia 1989-07-25 25 July Superquiz 10 TV Australia 1989-07-25 25 July Happy Hatchday to Plasmo ABC TV 1989-08-04 4 August Acropolis Now Seven Network 1989-08-09 9 August Naked Under Capricorn Nine Network 1989-09-17 17 September Cassidy ABC TV 1989-10-25 25 October Bangkok Hilton 10 TV Australia 1989-11-05 5 November Grim Pickings Nine Network 1989-11-15 15 November Spin 10 TV Australia 1989-12-16 16 December Bright Sparks Unknown 1989 New international programming Program Network Debut date UK Lost Belongings ABC TV 1989-01-02 2 January USA Global Rivals SBS TV 1989-01-03 3 January UK Intimate Contact Network Ten 1989-01-03 3 January UK Talking Animals ABC TV 1989-01-04 4 January USA Brown Sugar SBS TV 1989-01-04 4 January UK How to Be Celtic SBS TV 1989-01-22 22 January NZ The Fire-Raiser ABC TV 1989-01-30 30 January USA Kids Incorporated Seven Network 1989-01-30 30 January USA Fast Times Network Ten 1989-02-05 5 February USA The Munsters Today Network Ten 1989-02-05 5 February UK Count Duckula ABC TV 1989-02-06 6 February UK Home James! ABC TV 1989-02-06 6 February USA China Beach Nine Network 1989-02-06 6 February USA Wiseguy Nine Network 1989-02-07 7 February USA Empty Nest Seven Network 1989-02-10 10 February CAN Bizarre Network Ten 1989-02-13 13 February USA Roseanne Network Ten 1989-02-14 14 February USA Mission: Impossible (1988) Nine Network 1989-02-16 16 February Czechoslovakia Roby and Boby on the Roads ABC TV 1989-02-18 18 February USA Thirtysomething Network Ten 1989-02-21 21 February SWE Vicky the Viking ABC TV 1989-02-23 23 February USA Billionaire Boys Club Seven Network 1989-02-27 27 February GER Topsy Turvy SBS TV 1989-03-01 1 March UK Floyd on Britain and Ireland SBS TV 1989-03-04 4 March CAN Concerto Grosso Modo ABC TV 1989-03-06 6 March UK The Adventures of Spot ABC TV 1989-03-06 6 March FRA/JPN/SWI/ITA Once Upon a Time... Life SBS TV 1989-03-10 10 March UK Henry's Leg ABC TV 1989-03-20 20 March USA Storybreak ABC TV 1989-03-21 21 March USA It's Garry Shandling's Show Nine Network 1989-03-22 22 March USA The Bronx Zoo Network Ten 1989-03-29 29 March USA/UK Jack the Ripper (1988) Seven Network 1989-04-02 2 April USA Of Pure Blood Nine Network 1989-04-05 5 April USA Rags to Riches Network Ten 1989-04-08 8 April USA War and Remembrance Network Ten 1989-04-09 9 April USA Midnight Caller Seven Network 1989-04-12 12 April UK Tripper's Day ABC TV 1989-04-23 23 April UK Blind Justice ABC TV 1989-04-30 30 April UK Aliens in the Family (1987) ABC TV 1989-05-02 2 May UK The Thatcher Factor SBS TV 1989-05-04 4 May UK White Peak Farm ABC TV 1989-05-10 10 May CAN Danger Bay ABC TV 1989-05-16 16 May USA Mama's Boy Nine Network 1989-05-27 27 May HK Pet and Pest SBS TV 1989-06-02 2 June UK The Secret World of Polly Flint ABC TV 1989-06-05 5 June Czechoslovakia Safari SBS TV 1989-06-14 14 June FRA The Image in the Mirror SBS TV 1989-06-14 14 June SWE Xerxes SBS TV 1989-06-15 15 June UK Lizzie's Pictures ABC TV 1989-06-18 18 June ITA Mother Again SBS TV 1989-06-20 20 June GRE The Other Side of the River SBS TV 1989-06-20 20 June UK Dead Head ABC TV 1989-06-21 21 June USA Mr. Belvedere Seven Network 1989-06-21 21 June UK Codename: Kyril Seven Network 1989-06-25 25 June UK Farrington of the F.O. Seven Network 1989-06-29 29 June USA Dr. Fad Network Ten 1989-07-03 3 July USA Eisenhower and Lutz Network Ten 1989-07-07 7 July USA The New Mike Hammer Nine Network 1989-07-13 13 July SPA/Netherlands The World of David the Gnome ABC TV 1989-07-14 14 July USA Full House Seven Network 1989-07-14 14 July UK Hannay ABC TV 1989-07-15 15 July USA Superboy Nine Network 1989-07-17 17 July USA The Wonder Years 10 TV Australia 1989-07-24 24 July USA Quantum Leap 10 TV Australia 1989-07-24 24 July Netherlands Rising Waters SBS TV 1989-07-25 25 July UK Supersense ABC TV 1989-07-27 27 July USA Just the Ten of Us Nine Network 1989-08-01 1 August USA Teen Wolf Nine Network 1989-08-05 5 August UK The Road to War: Great Britain, Italy, Japan, USA ABC TV 1989-08-06 6 August ITA The Kids in 12C SBS TV 1989-08-07 7 August GER The Show with the Mouse ABC TV 1989-08-10 10 August USA Superman Nine Network 1989-08-12 12 August CAN/USA My Pet Monster Seven Network 1989-08-13 13 August UK Odysseus: The Greatest Hero of Them All ABC TV 1989-08-16 16 August USA AlfTales Seven Network 1989-08-27 27 August UK/AUS The Heroes 10 TV Australia 1989-08-27 27 August CAN Diamonds Seven Network 1989-08-28 28 August UK Big World Cafe SBS TV 1989-09-01 1 September USA Lonesome Dove Seven Network 1989-09-04 4 September USA Everything's Relative 10 TV Australia 1989-09-08 8 September UK London Embassy ABC TV 1989-09-10 10 September CAN Ramona ABC TV 1989-09-11 11 September USA Baby Boom Seven Network 1989-09-11 11 September UK Out to Tuesday SBS TV 1989-09-12 12 September CAN Just for Laughs ABC TV 1989-09-14 14 September Malta The Maltese SBS TV 1989-09-16 16 September CAN T. and T. Seven Network 1989-09-18 18 September UK The Bell Seven Network 1989-09-21 21 September CAN My Secret Identity 10 TV Australia 1989-09-21 21 September USA Hollywood Legends ABC TV 1989-09-23 23 September USA C.O.P.S. Nine Network 1989-09-23 23 September USA Dennis the Menace (1986) ABC TV 1989-10-02 2 October USA The Van Dyke Show 10 TV Australia 1989-10-05 5 October UK Tickets for the Titanic SBS TV 1989-10-08 8 October USA Brotherhood of the Rose Seven Network 1989-10-08 8 October USA Around the World in 80 Days Nine Network 1989-10-08 8 October USA High Mountain Rangers 10 TV Australia 1989-10-08 8 October USA Denver, the Last Dinosaur Nine Network 1989-10-09 9 October UK Running Scared ABC TV 1989-10-12 12 October USA Raising Miranda 10 TV Australia 1989-10-14 14 October USA The Oldest Rookie Seven Network 1989-10-15 15 October UK Red Dwarf ABC TV 1989-10-21 21 October UK City Tails ABC TV 1989-10-25 25 October USA Windmills of the Gods Seven Network 1989-10-29 29 October UK A Very British Coup Seven Network 1989-11-09 9 November AUS/ITA The Magistrate ABC TV 1989-11-15 15 November USA Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater Seven Network 1989-11-19 19 November USA Paradise Seven Network 1989-11-19 19 November USA Aaron's Way ABC TV 1989-11-19 19 November CAN/FRA The Smoggies ABC TV 1989-11-20 20 November UK The Ratties ABC TV 1989-11-20 20 November USA Married... with Children 10 TV Australia 1989-11-20 20 November USA Unsub Nine Network 1989-11-21 21 November USA Sonny Spoon Nine Network 1989-11-22 22 November UK Miss Marple Seven Network 1989-11-22 22 November USA Tattingers Nine Network 1989-11-23 23 November UK Dear John (UK) Seven Network 1989-11-23 23 November UK Pulaski: The TV Detective ABC TV 1989-11-25 25 November USA The Wizard 10 TV Australia 1989-11-26 26 November UK Chelmsford 123 ABC TV 1989-11-28 28 November USA TV 101 10 TV Australia 1989-11-28 28 November USA Buck James Nine Network 1989-11-29 29 November USA Private Eye 10 TV Australia 1989-11-29 29 November UK After Henry ABC TV 1989-12-01 1 December UK Andy Capp Seven Network 1989-12-04 4 December UK Game, Set and Match ABC TV 1989-12-06 6 December UK Vanity Fair (1989) ABC TV 1989-12-09 9 December USA Knightwatch Seven Network 1989-12-10 10 December USA Dirty Dancing Seven Network 1989-12-11 11 December UK Cover Her Face Nine Network 1989-12-11 11 December USA Leg Work 10 TV Australia 1989-12-14 14 December UK Simon and the Witch ABC TV 1989-12-18 18 December USA Secrets & Mysteries Nine Network 1989-12-18 18 December USA Square One Television ABC TV 1989-12-18 18 December UK Death of an Expert Witness Seven Network 1989-12-18 18 December UK Billy's Christmas Angels ABC TV 1989-12-25 25 December USA Nearly Departed Seven Network 1989-12-26 26 December CAN Night Heat Seven Network 1989-12-26 26 December Changes to network affiliation This is a list of programs which made their premiere on an Australian television network that had previously premiered on another Australian television network. The networks involved in the switch of allegiances are predominantly both free-to-air networks or both subscription television networks. Programs that have their free-to-air/subscription television premiere, after previously premiering on the opposite platform (free-to air to subscription/subscription to free-to air) are not included. In some cases, programs may still air on the original television network. This occurs predominantly with programs shared between subscription television networks. Domestic Program New network(s) Previous network(s) Date The Price Is Right 10 TV Australia Seven Network 1989-07-29 29 July International Program New network(s) Previous network(s) Date USA Hill Street Blues ABC TV Nine Network 1989-01-13 13 January USA Gumby ABC TV Seven Network 1989-02-20 20 February UK Minder Seven Network ABC TV 1989-05-02 2 May USA/JPN ThunderCats Seven Network (Victoria) 10 TV Australia (Victoria) 1989-07-22 22 July USA Miami Vice 10 TV Australia Nine Network 1989-08-30 30 August USA The Abbott and Costello Cartoon Show ABC TV 10 TV Australia 1989-10-09 9 October UK Floyd on Fish ABC TV SBS TV 1989-10-13 13 October NZ Sea Urchins 10 TV Australia ABC TV 1989 Television shows 1950s Mr. Squiggle and Friends (1959–1999) 1960s Four Corners (1961–present) 1970s Hey Hey It's Saturday (1971–1999) 60 Minutes (1979–present) 1980s Sale of the Century (1980–2001) Wheel of Fortune (1981–1996, 1996–2003, 2004–08) Sunday (1981–2008) The Price is Right (1981–1985, 1989, 1993–1998, 2003–2005, 2012) Today (1982–present) Neighbours (1985–present) The Flying Doctors (1986–1993) Rage (1987–present) Home and Away (1988–present) Seven's Super Saturday (1988–1990) The Comedy Company (1988–1990) Fast Forward (1989–1992) The Big Gig (1989–1991) G.P. (1989–1996) Til Ten (1989–1991) Ending this year Date Show Channel Debut January Young Talent Time Network Ten 1971 19 January University Challenge ABC TV 1987 31 January Rock ArenaABC TV 1982 3 February Earthwatch ABC TV 1979 4 February Rock Arena ABC TV 1982 15 February Tanamera – Lion of Singapore Network Ten 7 February 1989 24 February Ridgey Didge Network Ten 1987 2 March Edens Lost ABC TV 28 February 1989 14 March The Family Business Network Ten 14 February 1989 6 May The Factory ABC TV 1987 9 June Swap Shop ABC TV 1988 10 June The Early Bird Show Network Ten 1985 16 June The Oz Game ABC TV 1988 22 June Richmond Hill Network Ten 1988 30 June Bunyip ABC TV 5 June 1989 7 August Family Double Dare 10 TV Australia 24 July 1989 26 August Club 10 10 TV Australia 17 June 1989 14 October The Price Is Right 10 TV Australia 29 July 1989 17 November Perfect Match 10 TV Australia 1984 16 November Grim Pickings Nine Network 15 November 1989 17 November The Bert Newton Show Seven Network 20 March 1989 Returning this year Date Show Channel Debut 29 July The Price Is Right 10 TV Australia 1981 See also 1989 in Australia List of Australian films of 1989 References 1989