2001 in Australian television

List of years in Australian television
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Events

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  • 1 January – Digital Television arrives in the major state capitals of Australia and states in it, with the ABC and SBS permitted to operate multi-channel services.
  • 24 January – The Seven Network loses the TV rights to the AFL for the first time, since televised football began in 1957. The rights are won by a Nine Network-Network Ten-Fox Footy Channel consortium.
  • 5 February – The Weakest Link premieres on the Seven Network, airing twice a week, Mondays and Fridays, however, shortly before the commencement of the AFL season, the latter edition is moved forwards to Thursdays in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, and then in Sydney and Brisbane after the conclusion of the AFL season.
  • 11 February – The Network Ten undergoes a major revamp in its production and circle logo and on air graphics as a part of a new network re-launch, with the launch of its motto Seriously Ten, which are both currently in use to the 2012 revamp.
  • 22 February – The voice actors behind the Funimation dubbed version of Dragon Ball Z Sean Schemmel (Goku, Nails and King Kai) and Christopher Sabat (Piccolo, Vegeta and Yamcha) appear on Cheez TV for an interview on Network Ten.
  • 26 March – The $10,000 bank target is achieved for the first time on an episode of The Weakest Link.
  • 10 April – American mystery fiction television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation premieres on the Nine Network and is shown every Tuesday at 8:30 pm.
  • 22 April – The Australian version of Big Brother premieres on Network Ten.
  • 25 April – Brooke Marshall wins the second season of The Mole, taking home $100,000 in prize money. Michael Laffy is revealed as the Mole, and Hal Pritchard is the runner-up.
  • 7 May – Nine players who were voted off The Weakest Link early in previous episodes were given a second chance to win up to $100,000.
  • 27 May – Nine previous winners of The Weakest Link appear on the show again for another chance to win up to $100,000. In this episode, the $10,000 bank target is achieved again.
  • 2 June – The ABBA Tribute Show goes to air live on the Nine Network.
  • 22 June – Hi-5 celebrates its 100th episode.
  • 24 June – Australian children's Sunday morning wrapper programme Couch Potato airs its final episode on ABC hosted by Abby Coleman and David Heinrich and finishing up with a rerun of SimsalaGrimm.
  • 16 July –
  • 31 July – Australian miniseries Blue Murder finally screens in NSW and the ACT for the very first time on the ABC six years after its broadcast in other states and territories due to the life sentence of Neddy Smith.
  • 1 August – The ABC launches its very first digital multi-channel service ABC Kids. The channel airs programmes aimed at children and runs from 6:00am to 6:00pm.
  • 7 August – The final episode of Water Rats goes to air on the Nine Network and the show was axed after six years.
  • 8 August –
  • 11 September – Television networks relay coverage from CNN, NBC, ABC America and the BBC for up to 48 hours in the wake of 11 September attacks. Ten News made the record books as the first Australian Television News Service to ever cover the Coverage on its Late News bulletin with Sandra Sully.
  • 29 September – The Seven Network televises its final game of AFL until March 2007.
  • November – After Prime Television axes Regional television news bulletins in Newcastle, Wollongong and Canberra, and Southern Cross Broadcasting axes regional bulletins in Canberra and North Queensland, the ABA holds an inquiry into the adequacy of regional news services. Bulletins eventually return to those areas in 2004, albeit in the form of two-minute updates during weekdays in the ratings season.
  • 1 November – The ABC launches another digital multi-channel service called Fly TV. Airing from 6:00pm to 6:00am, the channel broadcasts music videos, reviews, comedy, drama, news programming, sport programmes, cartoons and current affairs for teenagers and young adults.
  • 25 November – The 1999 Film Notting Hill starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts premieres on the Seven Network.
  • 29 November – After 21 years, Sale of the Century is "rested". It later returns to the Nine Network as Temptation in 2005 and runs until 2007, and again 2008 until 2009. Also another Nine Network game show Burgo's Catch Phrase has given the axe after 4 years.
  • 12 December – The American comedy-drama series Gilmore Girls premieres on the Nine Network.
  • December – The Nine Network will introduce a watermark on its programs. Until now, the Channel Nine watermark will now be broadcast on all news (until 2008 for the major revamp of its news bulletins, but reinstated in late 2009), current affairs and Live programs.
  • December – A record $72,900 is won on The Weakest Link's special titled The Best of the Best.

Debuts

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Domestic

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Program Channel Debut date
Love Is a Four Letter Word ABC 30 January
The Big Arvo Seven Network 1 February
The Weakest Link Seven Network 5 February
Greed Network Ten 11 February
Sit Down, Shut Up Network Ten 16 February
Flat Chat Nine Network 19 February
Cash Bonanza Nine Network 3 March
Head Start ABC 4 March
Littlemore ABC 5 March
Big Brother Network Ten 23 April
The Saddle Club ABC TV 30 April
Horace and Tina Network Ten 4 May
Wild Kat Network Ten 2 June
Outriders Nine Network 9 July
Insiders ABC 15 July
Cybergirl Network Ten 21 July
Big Brother: Adults Only Network Ten 23 July
All Aussie Adventures Network Ten 5 August
McLeod's Daughters Nine Network 8 August
Catalyst ABC 9 August
The Glass House ABC 10 August
Always Greener Seven Network 9 September
Bush Mechanics ABC 11 September
Escape of the Artful Dodger Nine Network 17 September
Corridors of Power ABC 8 October
Kids, Drugs and Growing Up Nine Network 9 October
Changi ABC 14 October
The Chaser election specials ABC 23 October
Effie: Just Quietly SBS TV 6 November
The Shapies Nine Network 1 December
Tracey McBean ABC 31 December
Fishing Australia WIN Television 2001
The Great South East Seven Network (Queensland) 2001
Hook, Line and Sinker Southern Cross Tasmania 2001
The World Game SBS TV 2001

International

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Program Channel Debut date
  Cupid Network Ten 3 January
  State of the Planet ABC TV 10 January
  Four Fathers ABC TV 12 January
  Dad ABC TV 15 January
  Savage Dragon Network Ten 24 January
  Passions Seven Network 29 January
  The Chimp Channel Nine Network 29 January
  The Hughleys Seven Network 29 January
  The Big Knights ABC TV 30 January
  The Wacky World of Tex Avery Seven Network 3 February
  Payne Network Ten 5 February
  Hero to Zero ABC TV 12 February
  Malcolm in the Middle Nine Network 13 February
  Shadow Raiders ABC TV 13 February
  Big Kids ABC TV 14 February
  Junior Seven Network 17 February
  Bette Network Ten 17 February
 / /  The Baskervilles ABC TV 26 February
  Bloodlines: Murder in the Family Seven Network 26 February
  Angela Anaconda ABC TV 27 February
  Our Hero ABC TV 2 March
  Kiss Me Kate ABC TV 9 March
  Angelmouse ABC TV 12 March
  The Division Nine Network 13 March
  Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue Seven Network 24 March
  Takács Quartet SBS TV 24 March
  Life Force ABC TV 26 March
  Love in a Cold Climate ABC TV 1 April
  Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Seven Network 7 April
  Spider-Man Unlimited Network Ten 9 April
  Plonsters ABC TV 9 April
  CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Nine Network 10 April
  Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke Nine Network 15 April
  Sabrina: The Animated Series Seven Network 28 April
  The Parkers Nine Network 4 May
  The Sins ABC TV 4 May
  Ed Network Ten 8 May
  Sheep in the Big City Nine Network 14 May
  The Zeta Project Nine Network 16 May
  Pond Life SBS TV 19 May
  Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 SBS TV 19 May
  That's My Bush! SBS TV 19 May
  X-Men: Evolution Nine Network 25 May
  My Family ABC TV 28 May
  Harry and the Wrinklies ABC TV 30 May
  House of Mouse Seven Network 2 June
 / / /  Animated Tales of the World SBS TV 2 June
  Down to Earth ABC TV 3 June
  Arliss Seven Network 7 June
 /  Action Man (2000) Network Ten 11 June
  Night Man Nine Network 18 June
  Burnside ABC TV 22 June
  Border Cafe ABC TV 30 June
  Black Cab ABC TV 30 June
 /  Jackie Chan Adventures Network Ten 1 July
  Cubeez ABC TV 2 July
  My Best Friend is an Alien ABC TV 2 July
  Titch ABC TV 9 July
 /  Aaagh! It's the Mr. Hell Show! SBS TV 14 July
  Dark Angel Seven Network 26 July
  Boston Public Seven Network 30 July
  Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married Nine Network 30 July
  Tom and Vicky ABC Kids (digital only) August
  PB Bear and Friends ABC Kids (digital only) August
 /  George Shrinks ABC Kids (digital only) August
  Horrible Histories (2001 cartoon) ABC Kids (digital only) August
  Roger and the Rottentrolls ABC Kids (digital only) August
  Maggie and the Ferocious Beast ABC Kids (digital only) 1 August
  Rosie and Jim ABC Kids (digital only) 1 August
  Cardcaptors Network Ten 6 August
  Preston Pig ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 7 August
 /  The Mystery of Black Rose Castle ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 15 August
  Stark Raving Mad Seven Network 20 August
  The Lone Gunmen Seven Network 30 August
  Rocket Power Network Ten 31 August
  Sylvanian Families Network Ten 1 September
  The Street Nine Network 4 September
  Courage the Cowardly Dog Nine Network 5 September
  Soldier of Fortune, Inc. Seven Network 6 September
  Mike, Lu and Og Nine Network 10 September
  Ethelbert the Tiger ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 24 September
  Beverly Hills Teens Network Ten 30 September
  Sister, Sister Seven Network 30 September
  Butt-Ugly Martians Network Ten 1 October
  Bill and Ben ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 3 October
  The Ananda Lewis Show Nine Network 8 October
 /  Sali Mali ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 24 October
  Tiny Planets ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 30 October
 /  John Callahan's Quads! SBS TV 12 November
  Smart Guy Seven Network 13 November
  The Kids from Room 402 Network Ten 18 November
  Beast ABC TV 19 November
  El Nombre ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 19 November
  Marion and Geoff ABC TV 19 November
 /  Sitting Ducks ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 19 November
  In a Land of Plenty ABC TV 19 November
  What About Joan? Network Ten 2 December
  Eye Spy Seven Network 3 December
  Beware: Bad Drivers Seven Network 3 December
  The Ghost Hunter ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 5 December
  Albie ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 6 December
  The Fugitive (2000) Nine Network 6 December
 /  Treasure ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 6 December
  The Invisible Man (2000) Network Ten 6 December
 /  Custer's Last Stand Up ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 7 December
  The Oblongs Nine Network 8 December
  Gilmore Girls Nine Network 12 December
  Human Remains SBS TV 15 December
 /  Further Tales of the City Nine Network 17 December
  Eckhart ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 20 December
  Badjelly the Witch ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) 25 December
  Light Through Ashes SBS TV 30 December
  Oggy and the Cockroaches ABC Kids (digital only) 2001
  Space Goofs ABC Kids (digital only) 2001
  What About Mimi? Seven Network 2001
  Yoho Ahoy ABC Kids (digital only) 2001
 / /  Weird-Oh's Seven Network 2001
  The Zack Files ABC Kids (digital only) 2001
  Top of the Pops ABC TV 2001

Changes to network affiliation

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This is a list of programmes 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

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Program New Network(s) Previous Network(s) Date
Bananas in Pyjamas ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 1 August
Play School ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 1 August
Johnson and Friends ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
The Ferals ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
The Adventures of Blinky Bill ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
Mr. Squiggle and Friends ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
Kideo ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001

International

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Program New Network(s) Previous Network(s) Date
  Bimble's Bucket NBN Television Nine Network 9 June
  Sesame Street ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 1 August
 /  The Magic School Bus ABC Kids (digital only) Network Ten 1 August
  Johnny Bravo Nine Network Seven Network 14 September
  Horrible Histories (2001 cartoon) ABC TV ABC Kids (digital only) 17 December
  Henry's Cat ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Bob the Builder ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Teletubbies ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Bear in the Big Blue House ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Stickin' Around ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Santo Bugito ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  The Forgotten Toys ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  The Animal Shelf ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Oakie Doke ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Franklin ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Fireman Sam ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Hey Arnold! ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  The Wombles (1996) ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Tweenies ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
 /  Lil' Elvis Jones and the Truckstoppers ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Rocky and the Dodos ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Noddy's Toyland Adventures ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Sheeep ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
 / /  The Baskervilles ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
 /  Arthur ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
 /  Minty ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  Brambly Hedge ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  The Big Knights ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
  CatDog ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001
 /  Simsala Grimm ABC Kids (digital only) ABC TV 2001

Subscription television

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Domestic

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Program Channel Debut date
Kate & Julia[1] Arena 8 August
Hooley Dooleys Fox Kids 2001
Shock Jock TV1 2001

International

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Program Channel Debut date
  Fat Dog Mendoza Nickelodeon 2 January
  Yvon of the Yukon Nickelodeon 2 January
Maury   Maury[2] Arena March
Custer's Last Stand Up  /  Custer's Last Stand Up[3] Nickelodeon 16 March
  Looney Tunes Boomerang 3 April
  Merrie Melodies Boomerang 3 April
  Tom and Jerry Boomerang 3 April
As Told by Ginger   As Told by Ginger[3][4] Nickelodeon 7 April
  Toonami Cartoon Network 7 July
  The Oblongs Oh! 17 July
Being Eve   Being Eve[5] Nickelodeon 24 August
Invader Zim   Invader Zim[6] Nickelodeon Q3/Q4
  Samurai Jack Cartoon Network 2001
  The Tidings Fox Kids 2001
  Cardcaptors Cartoon Network 2001
  Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Cartoon Network 2001
 / /  Rainbow Fish Disney Channel 2001
  Theodore Tugboat Disney Channel 2001
  Super Duper Sumos Fox Kids 2001
  Dinozaurs Fox Kids 2001
 / /  Wunschpunsch Fox Kids 2001
  Generation O! Nickelodeon 2001
  Screech Owls Fox Kids 2001
 /  Kong: The Animated Series Fox Kids 2001
  Dora the Explorer Nickelodeon 2001
 /  Dragon Tales Fox Kids 2001
 /  Braceface Fox Kids 2001
  Adult Swim Cartoon Network 2001
  Home Movies Cartoon Network 2001
  Meeow! Fox Kids 2001
  Ultimate Book of Spells Fox Kids 2001

Subscription premieres

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This is a list of programs which made their premiere on Australian subscription television that had previously premiered on Australian free-to-air television. Programs may still air on the original free-to-air television network.

Domestic

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Program Subscription network Free-to-air network Date
Eugénie Sandler P.I.[6] Nickelodeon ABC TV 3 August
Hi-5 Fox Kids Nine Network 2001
Escape from Jupiter Fox Kids ABC TV 2001

International

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Program Subscription network Free-to-air network Date
 /  Dumb Bunnies Nickelodeon Seven Network 2 January
  An Actor's Life For Me[7][8] UKTV ABC TV 10 April
  Angel[9] Fox8 Seven Network[citation needed] 24 April
  Full Wax[10][11] UKTV ABC TV 1 June
Brittas Empire, The   The Brittas Empire[10][12] UKTV ABC TV 6 June
  Friends[13] Oh! Nine Network 3 July
Drew Carey Show, The   The Drew Carey Show[13] Oh! Nine Network July
  ER[13] Oh! Nine Network August
  Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Nickelodeon ABC TV 2001
  Insektors Fox Kids ABC TV 2001
  Budgie the Little Helicopter Fox Kids ABC TV 2001
  Freaky Stories Nickelodeon ABC TV 2001
  Oscar and Friends Nickelodeon ABC TV 2001
  What About Mimi? Fox Kids Seven Network 2001
  Cubeez Fox Kids ABC TV 2001
 / /  Weird-Oh's Fox Kids Seven Network 2001

Specials

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Program Channel Debut date
2001 Kids' Choice Awards   2001 Kids' Choice Awards[3] Nickelodeon 12 May

Television shows

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ABC

Seven Network

Nine Network

Network Ten

Ending / resting this year

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Date Show Channel Debut
5 January Zirkos Kids NBN Television 2000
2 March Open Learning ABC 1992
1 April Greed Channel Ten 11 February 2001
9 April The Micallef P(r)ogram(me) ABC 1998
26 April Quantum ABC 1985
8 May Flat Chat Channel Nine 19 February 2001
24 June Couch Potato ABC 1991
24 July Love Is a Four Letter Word ABC 30 January 2001
6 August Water Rats Channel Nine 1996
16 August Above the Law Channel Ten 2000
19 August Wild Kat Channel Ten 2 June 2001
25 August Crash Zone Channel Seven 1999
21 September Denise Channel Seven 1998
29 November Burgo's Catch Phrase Channel Nine 1997
29 November Sale of the Century Channel Nine 1980
2 December Head Start ABC 4 March 2001
10 December Escape of the Artful Dodger Channel Nine 17 September 2001
Consuming Passions ABC 1992

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Funnygirls pairing up". Herald Sun. Melbourne, Australia: News Limited. 8 August 2001. p. H02.
  2. ^ Murphy, Kerrie (19 April 2001). "ScreenWatch – Pep talk for kids". The Australian. Sydney, Australia: News Limited. p. M26.
  3. ^ a b c Nick Nooze. Autumn. Nickelodeon (Australia). 2001.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link)
  4. ^ "What's New On Nick? – April 2001". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2001. Archived from the original on 11 April 2001. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  5. ^ "What's New On Nick? – August 2001". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2001. Archived from the original on 5 August 2001. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  6. ^ a b Nick Nooze. October. Nickelodeon (Australia). 2001.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link)
  7. ^ "UKTV Highlights". UKTV (Australia and New Zealand). 2001. Archived from the original on 28 April 2001. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  8. ^ Hughes, Simon (16 January 1995). "A state of being – gag after gag". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 15. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  9. ^ Englund, Vicki (24 April 2001). "TV Reviews". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane, Australia: News Limited. p. 22.
  10. ^ a b "UKTV Highlights". UKTV (Australia and New Zealand). 2001. Archived from the original on 16 June 2001. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  11. ^ Gill, Raymond (31 March 1993). "Ruby is a comic gem". The Age. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 2. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  12. ^ Stewart, Alison (21 December 1992). "THE BRITTAS EMPIRE". The Sydney Morning Herald. Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 2. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  13. ^ a b c Idato, Michael (17 June 2001). "Briefs". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 3. Retrieved 27 December 2009. Friends, makes its long overdue cable premiere in Australia on July 3. The cable channel Oh! will also premiere The Drew Carey Show in July and E.R. in August.