2004 in Australian television

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Events

• 1 January – Australia's first Digital commercial free-to-air channel, Tasmanian Digital Television begins broadcasting in Hobart as a supplementary broadcaster to existing broadcasters Southern Cross Tasmania & WIN Television. On the same day, WIN TEN goes on air in the Mount Gambier & Riverland regions of South Australia as a supplementary broadcaster to existing solus broadcaster WIN Television.
• February – Nine launches a new afternoon news service to complete against Seven's 4:30 pm news, which was launched the previous year to provide viewers with up-to-date information on the War on Iraq.
• 1 February – Deal or No Deal debuts its 5.30pm timeslot on Seven which would last until 2015. This proves to be a massive ratings hit, leading into Seven's 6pm news bulletin. Its success proves too much for the Nine Network, with reworked game shows including The Price is Right , Bert's Family Feud and Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune all failing in the dreaded 5:30pm timeslot until Hot Seat's arrival in 2009.
• 2 February – Top-rating game show Wheel of Fortune makes a rebranding and a super new-look over to continue its long-run. Also, Steve Oemcke takes over from Rob Elliott as the show's final original main host.
• 14 March – Foxtel launches its new digital service, Foxtel Digital.
• 5 April – Neighbours returns to air on American television with Oxygen broadcasting the series.
• 12 April – The Australian television series New MacDonald's Farm premieres on the Nine Network
• 18 April - Rove McManus wins the 2004 TV WEEK Gold Logie.
• 21 April - A live episode of Blue Heelers goes to air on the Seven Network, titled "Reasonable Doubt". Although this particular episode earned reasonable ratings, peaking with 693,000 viewers in Melbourne, the rest of the season is a failure ratings-wise. ^[1]
• 1 May – Network Ten breaks with years of tradition and abandons the Sunday night movie after poor ratings. Instead, it screens some episodes of Law and Order: Criminal Intent . ^[2] Most other networks follow suit later on.
• 12 May – After 18 years at SBS, Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton resign from the station to move to the ABC to present a new program, At the Movies . Four younger presenters replace them on The Movie Show : Megan Spencer, Fenella Kernebone and Jaimie Leonarder, with Marc Fennell presenting a segment on newly released DVDs. ^[2]
• 17 June, 5:58pm – Dean Cartechini becomes the first person to win Deal or No Deal's top prize, winning $200,000.
• 28 June – The Price is Right moves to the 5:00 pm timeslot on the Nine Network. The show extends to one hour.
• 26 July – Broken Hill resident Trevor Butler proposes to his girlfriend immediately after winning A$1,000,000 on Big Brother .
• 13 August – After a short-lived return at its new 11:30 am timeslot, Ten axes vintage Neighbours episodes again after more very bad ratings.
• 16 August – Ten extends its morning news into a one-hour format.
• 29 August – The Nine Network launches a new look version of the colour-coded days ident will be shown, again placing focus on the slogan “Still the One”.
• 30 August – Immediately after the closing ceremony of the Athens Olympics, the first ever Sunrise is broadcast from the Seven Network's new Martin Place studios. On the same night, Seven News relaunches nationwide with a complete overhaul of graphics, a new musical theme (unchanged until 1 February 2016) and a new set in Sydney. Nine News counters by introducing live CBD backdrops on its Sydney and Brisbane bulletins.
• 12 September – The 2001 war film Behind Enemy Lines starring Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman premieres on the Seven Network.
• 4 October – British long running children's animated series Peppa Pig debuts on ABC.
• 5 October – After a five-year absence, Daryl Somers returns to television to host a brand new series on Seven Network called Dancing with the Stars based on the American light entertainment reality series of the same name.
• 13 October – The Australian version of Border Security premieres on the Seven Network and is shown every Wednesday at 9:30 pm.
• 21 November – 16-year-old Casey Donovan wins the second series of Australian Idol defeating 21-year-old favourite, Anthony Callea. Her debut single "Listen with Your Heart" reaches number one in the ARIA Charts in December 2004.
• 23 November – Home and Away actress Bec Cartwright and her partner Michael Miziner are crowned season champions as the first season of Dancing with the Stars reaches its grand final.
• 11 December – The Network Ten is the next Australian television network to introduce a watermark on its programs, although the watermark is now broadcast on Ten News. It was located on the bottom left of the screens before switching to bottom right in 2006.
• 14 December – The final episode of Stingers goes to air on the Nine Network and the show was axed after six years.
• 23 December – American animated science fiction sitcom Futurama created by Matt Groening the creator of The Simpsons airs on the Seven Network for the last time before changing broadcasts to Network Ten which won't happen until the end of next year.
• December – Seven, Nine & TEN withdrawn their opening to movies - movie openers are replaced by classification boards instead.
• Wheel of Fortune's attempt for a major revamp backfires and is quietly cancelled due to low ratings - leaving Deal or No Deal the absolute only game show remaining, leading into Seven's 6pm news bulletin.
• December – The Nine Network claims the ratings season for the fourth consecutive year, winning 38 out of 40 weeks, while Network Ten (which wins the other two weeks) finishes ahead of the Seven Network nationally for the first time. ^[3]

Debuts

Program	Channel	Debut date
Fergus McPhail	Network Ten	2 January
Surfing the Menu	ABC	14 January
My Restaurant Rules [2]	Seven Network	1 February
Deal Or No Deal [2]	Seven Network	1 February
ttn	Network Ten	3 February
Fireflies	ABC	7 February
The Einstein Factor	ABC	8 February
Strictly Dancing	ABC	11 February
The Resort	Network Ten	February
The Hot House	Network Ten	February
The New Inventors	ABC	10 March
New MacDonald's Farm	Nine Network	12 April
Coxy's Big Break	Seven Network	17 April
At the Movies	ABC	1 July
Wicked Science	Network Ten	2 July
Parallax	Nine Network	5 August
John Safran vs God	SBS	30 August
Dancing with the Stars [2]	Seven Network	5 October
The Cooks	Network Ten	18 October
Foreign Exchange	Nine Network	5 November

Pay TV

Program	Channel	Debut date
Cooking for Kids with Luis	Nick Jr.	25 October
Love My Way [2]	FOX8	22 November

New international programming

Program	Channel	Debut date
Stanley	Seven Network	3 January
Hamtaro	Network Ten	26 January
/ / ¡Mucha Lucha!	Nine Network	8 February
Death in Holy Orders	ABC	8 February
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law	SBS	20 February
Freaky	ABC	23 February
The Way Things Work	ABC	23 February
The Fairly OddParents	ABC	1 March
Boohbah	ABC	1 March
Fillmore!	Seven Network	6 March
The Basil Brush Show	ABC	9 March
Dragon Ball GT	Network Ten	15 March
Max and Ruby	ABC	22 March
/ / Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks	ABC	29 March
Wide-Eye	ABC	29 March
Two and a Half Men	Nine Network	29 March
Lilo & Stitch: The Series	Seven Network	3 April
Boo!	ABC	5 April
Astro Boy (2003)	ABC	15 April
/ / Franny's Feet	ABC	3 May
Metalheads	ABC	5 May
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2002)	Network Ten	8 May
NCIS	Network Ten	9 May
Pigeon Boy	ABC	10 May
Grim and Evil	Nine Network	16 May
The Proud Family	Seven Network	5 June
/ Potatoes and Dragons	ABC	7 June
Play With Me Sesame	ABC	5 July
Zoids: Fuzors	Network Ten	17 July
New Tricks	ABC	23 July
Transformers: Energon	Network Ten	14 August
Bob the Builder: The Knights of Can-a-Lot	ABC	16 August
Tutenstein	ABC	6 September
Cold Case	Nine Network	7 September
/ Sonic X	Network Ten	13 September
Duel Masters	Network Ten	17 September
Hustle	ABC	19 September
Peppa Pig	ABC	4 October
Atomic Betty	ABC	14 October
Postman Pat (2002)	ABC	20 October
Little Britain	ABC	21 October
Kenny the Shark	ABC	22 October
Time Squad	Nine Network	2 November
Himalaya with Michael Palin	ABC	13 November
Firefly	Seven Network	24 November
Powers	ABC	26 November
Creature Comforts	ABC	2 December
French Leave	ABC	3 December
Rose and Maloney	ABC	14 December
Beyblade G-Revolution	Network Ten	15 December
Any Time Now	ABC	30 December
/ The Eggs	Nine Network	2004
Road Wars	Seven Network	2004
Scare Tactics	Nine Network	2004
The Handler	Network Ten	2004
Threat Matrix	Seven Network	2004
There's Something About Miriam	Network Ten	2004
Tru Calling	Seven Network	2004
Jay Jay the Jet Plane	Nine Network	2004
Survivor: Vanuatu	Nine Network	2004

Subscription television

Program	Channel	Debut date
All Grown Up! All Grown Up! [4]	Nickelodeon	February
ChalkZone ChalkZone [5]	Nickelodeon	Q2
Stuart Little: The Animated Series Stuart Little: The Animated Series [5]	Nickelodeon	Q2
Duck Dodgers [6]	Cartoon Network	10 April
Cassidys, The The Cassidys [7]	UKTV	26 April
My Dad the Rock Star My Dad the Rock Star [5]	Nickelodeon	27 April
Romeo! Romeo! [5]	Nickelodeon	31 May
Pimp My Ride [8] [9]	MTV Australia	2 July
Drake & Josh Drake & Josh [10]	Nickelodeon	August
Martin Mystery / Martin Mystery [10]	Nickelodeon	August
Ashlee Simpson Show, The The Ashlee Simpson Show [11]	MTV Australia	5 August
Dr. 90210 [12]	E!	12 September
Phil of the Future [13]	Disney Channel	20 September
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends	Cartoon Network	24 September
Assistant, The The Assistant [14]	MTV Australia	October
Maybe It's Me [15]	Nickelodeon	14 October
Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County [16]	MTV Australia	2 December

Specials

Program	Channel	Debut date
Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo	Seven Network	11 April
2004 Kids' Choice Awards / 2004 Kids' Choice Awards [10]	Nickelodeon	25 September

Programming changes

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.

International

Program	New network	Previous network	Date
The O.C.	Network Ten	Nine Network	22 June
Garfield and Friends	FOX8	Nickelodeon	2004
Sailor Moon	FOX8	Fox Kids	2004
The Flintstones	Boomerang	Cartoon Network	2004
Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids	Boomerang	Cartoon Network	2004

Subscription premieres

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.

International

Program	Subscription network	Free-to-air network	Date
Operation Good Guys Operation Good Guys [7] [17]	UKTV	SBS TV	26 April

Television shows

ABC

• Four Corners (1961–present)
• The Fat (2000–2003)
• Kath & Kim (2002–2005, 2007)
• The Glass House (2001–2006)

Seven Network

• Wheel of Fortune (1981–1996, 1996–2003, 2004–present)
• Sunrise (1991–1998, 2003–present)
• Home and Away (1988–2005, 2005–present)
• Blue Heelers (1994–2006)
• Today Tonight (1995–present)
• All Saints (1998–present)
• Ground Force (1999–2004)
• AMV (2000–present)
• The Big Arvo (2001–2004)
• Deal or No Deal (2003, 2004–present)

Nine Network

• Sale of the Century (1980–2001)
• A Current Affair (1971–1978, 1988–2005, 2006–present)
• Today (1982–present)
• Australia's Funniest Home Video Show (1990–2000, 2000–2004, 2005–present)
• The AFL Footy Show (1994–present)
• The NRL Footy Show (1994–present)
• Burgo's Catch Phrase (1997–2003)
• Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (1999–2006, 2007–present)
• Backyard Blitz (2000–2007)
• McLeod's Daughters (2001–present)
• Merrick & Rosso Unplanned (2003–2004)
• The Block (2003–2004)

Network Ten

• Neighbours (1985–1989, 1989–present)
• Good Morning Australia (1991–2005)
• Rove Live (2000–2006)
• Australian Idol (2003–present)

Ending / resting this year

Date	Show	Channel	Debut
(2004 – the whole year)	Behind The News	ABC	1969
5 February	Burgo's Catch Phrase	Nine Network	1997
28 July	Skithouse	Network Ten	2003
24 November	The Panel	Network Ten	1998
26 November	Burke's Backyard	Nine Network	1987
14 December	Stingers	Nine Network	1998

Revamping this year

Date	Show	Channel
February	Wheel of Fortune	Seven Network

See also

• 2004 in Australia
• List of Australian films of 2004

References

1. "Live Heelers bang on". Herald Sun. Australian Television. 23 April 2004. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
2. Idato, Michael: Aches and gains, The Age , 30 December 2004.
3. Warneke, Ross (2 December 2004). "Nine wins year again". The Age .
4. "What's New on Nick? – IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL WITH NICK!". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2004. Archived from the original on 18 February 2004. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
5. "What's New on Nick? – Term 2". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2004. Archived from the original on 5 June 2004. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
6. "Highlights (Kids & Family)". Foxtel. Archived from the original on 1 April 2004. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
7. Bellman, Annmaree (22 April 2004). "PAY TV – Monday". The Age . Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 24.
8. Frilingos, Matt (30 June 2004). "Be the bling of the road - PREVIEWS". The Daily Telegraph . Sydney, Australia: News Limited. p. T10.
9. "Xzibit A: the custom car". The Gold Coast Bulletin . Gold Coast, Queensland: News Limited. 1 July 2004. p. T03.
10. "What's New on Nick? – Term 3". Nickelodeon (Australia). 2004. Archived from the original on 4 August 2004. Retrieved 18 December 2009.
11. "McCabe". The Daily Telegraph . Sydney, Australia: News Limited. 30 June 2004. p. T13.
12. Bellman, Annmaree (9 September 2004). "PAY TV – Sunday". The Age . Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 22.
13. Bellman, Annmaree (16 September 2004). "PAY TV – Monday". The Age . Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 24.
14. "the hit list nine things we love this week". The Herald Sun . Melbourne, Australia: News Limited. 21 October 2004. p. IO2.
15. Bellman, Annmaree (14 October 2004). "PAY TV". The Age . Melbourne, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 28.
16. "Orange county". The Gold Coast Bulletin . Gold Coast, Queensland: News Limited. 25 November 2004. p. 4. Reality drama, Laguna Beach launches on Thursday, December 2.
17. Oliver, Robin (26 October 1998). "THUMBS". Sydney Morning Herald . Sydney, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 25.