2001 in Australian television explained
Events
- 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 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 Links special titled The Best of the Best.
Debuts
Domestic
International
| width=60% | Program | width=20% | Channel | width=20% | Debut date |
|---|
 Cupid | Network Ten | |
| State of the Planet | ABC TV | |
| Four Fathers | ABC TV | |
| Dad | ABC TV | |
| Savage Dragon | Network Ten | |
| Passions | Seven Network | |
| The Chimp Channel | Nine Network | |
| The Hughleys | Seven Network | |
| The Big Knights | ABC TV | |
| The Wacky World of Tex Avery | Seven Network | |
| Payne | Network Ten | |
| Hero to Zero | ABC TV | |
| Malcolm in the Middle | Nine Network | |
 Shadow Raiders | ABC TV | |
| Big Kids | ABC TV | |
| Junior | Seven Network | |
| Bette | Network Ten | |
// The Baskervilles | ABC TV | |
| | Seven Network | |
| Angela Anaconda | ABC TV | |
| Our Hero | ABC TV | |
| Kiss Me Kate | ABC TV | |
| Angelmouse | ABC TV | |
| The Division | Nine Network | |
| Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue | Seven Network | |
| Takács Quartet | SBS TV | |
| Life Force | ABC TV | |
| Love in a Cold Climate | ABC TV | |
| Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | Seven Network | |
| Spider-Man Unlimited | Network Ten | |
| Plonsters | ABC TV | |
| | Nine Network | |
| | Nine Network | |
| | Seven Network | |
 / The Saddle Club | ABC TV | |
| The Parkers | Nine Network | |
| The Sins | ABC TV | |
| Ed | Network Ten | |
| Sheep in the Big City | Nine Network | |
| The Zeta Project | Nine Network | |
| Pond Life | SBS TV | |
 Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 | SBS TV | |
| That's My Bush! | SBS TV | |
| | Nine Network | |
| My Family | ABC TV | |
| Harry and the Wrinklies | ABC TV | |
| House of Mouse | Seven Network | |
| /// Animated Tales of the World | SBS TV | |
| Down to Earth | ABC TV | |
| Arliss | Seven Network | |
| / Action Man (2000) | Network Ten | |
| Night Man | Nine Network | |
| Burnside | ABC TV | |
| Border Cafe | ABC TV | |
| Black Cab | ABC TV | |
/ Jackie Chan Adventures | Network Ten | |
| Cubeez | ABC TV | |
| My Best Friend is an Alien | ABC TV | |
| Titch | ABC TV | |
| / Aaagh! It's the Mr. Hell Show! | SBS TV | |
| Dark Angel | Seven Network | |
| Boston Public | Seven Network | |
| Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married | Nine Network | |
| 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) | |
| Rosie and Jim | ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| Cardcaptors | Network Ten | |
| Preston Pig | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
/ The Mystery of Black Rose Castle | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| Stark Raving Mad | Seven Network | |
| The Lone Gunmen | Seven Network | |
| Rocket Power | Network Ten | |
| Sylvanian Families | Network Ten | |
| The Street | Nine Network | |
| Courage the Cowardly Dog | Nine Network | |
| Soldier of Fortune, Inc. | Seven Network | |
| Mike, Lu and Og | Nine Network | |
| Ethelbert the Tiger | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| Beverly Hills Teens | Network Ten | |
| Sister, Sister | Seven Network | |
| Butt-Ugly Martians | Network Ten | |
| Bill and Ben | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| The Ananda Lewis Show | Nine Network | |
| / Sali Mali | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| Tiny Planets | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| / John Callahan's Quads! | SBS TV | |
| Smart Guy | Seven Network | |
| The Kids from Room 402 | Network Ten | |
| Beast | ABC TV | |
| El Nombre | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| Marion and Geoff | ABC TV | |
| / Sitting Ducks | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| In a Land of Plenty | ABC TV | |
| What About Joan? | Network Ten | |
| Eye Spy | Seven Network | |
| | Seven Network | |
| The Ghost Hunter | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| Albie | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| The Fugitive (2000) | Nine Network | |
| / Treasure | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| The Invisible Man (2000) | Network Ten | |
| / Custer's Last Stand Up | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| The Oblongs | Nine Network | |
| Gilmore Girls | Nine Network | |
| Human Remains | SBS TV | |
| / Further Tales of the City | Nine Network | |
| Eckhart | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| Badjelly the Witch | ABC TV, ABC Kids (digital only) | |
| Light Through Ashes | SBS TV | |
| 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
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
International
Subscription television
Domestic
International
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.
Domestic
International
Specials
Television shows
ABC
Seven Network
Nine Network
Network Ten
Ending / resting this year
See also
Notes and References
- News: Funnygirls pairing up . . . H02 . . 8 August 2001 .
- News: Murphy . Kerrie . ScreenWatch – Pep talk for kids . . . M26 . . 19 April 2001 .
- none. Nickelodeon (Australia) . Nickelodeon (Australia) . Nick Nooze . 2001 . Autumn.
- Web site: What's New On Nick? – April 2001 . 17 December 2009 . Nickelodeon (Australia) . 2001 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010411140151/http://www.nickelodeon.com.au/blammo/xxwhats.html . 11 April 2001.
- Web site: What's New On Nick? – August 2001 . 17 December 2009 . Nickelodeon (Australia) . 2001 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010805225623/http://www.nickelodeon.com.au/blammo/xxwhats.html . 5 August 2001.
- none. Nickelodeon (Australia) . Nickelodeon (Australia) . Nick Nooze . 2001 . October.
- Web site: UKTV Highlights . 5 January 2010 . UKTV (Australia and New Zealand) . 2001 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010428034952/http://www.uktv.com.au/april.html . 28 April 2001 . dead .
- News: A state of being – gag after gag . Simon . Hughes . . . . 16 January 1995 . 15 . 5 January 2010 .
- News: TV Reviews . Vicki . Englund . . . . 24 April 2001 . 22 .
- Web site: UKTV Highlights . 5 January 2010 . UKTV (Australia and New Zealand) . 2001 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010616053256/http://www.uktv.com.au/june.html . 16 June 2001 . dead .
- News: Ruby is a comic gem . Raymond . Gill . . . . 31 March 1993 . 2 . 5 January 2010 .
- News: THE BRITTAS EMPIRE . Alison . Stewart . . . . 21 December 1992 . 2 . 5 January 2010 .
- News: Briefs . Michael . Idato . . . . 17 June 2001 . 3 . 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. .
Simsala Grimm
Being Eve[5]