2021 in Australian television explained

This is a list of Australian television-related events, debuts, finales, and cancellations that are scheduled to occur in 2021, the 66th year of continuous operation of television in Australia.

Events

December

Television channels

New channels/streaming services

width=90	Date	width=250	Channel
23 February	Star (Via Disney+)^[8]
11 August	Paramount+^[9]
October 14	Flash^[10]

Affiliation changes

• 1 July – Nine Network programming to air on WIN Television owned and operated stations (excluding NRN)
• 1 July – Network Ten programming to air on Southern Cross Austereo owned and operated stations.

Premieres

Domestic series

Program! scope="col"

Original airdate	Network	Source
Stutter School		SBS	^[11]
Birdsville or Bust		SBS	^[12]
Bowled Over		SBS	^[13]
Kangaroo Beach		ABC Kids
Holey Moley		Seven Network
Aftertaste		ABC Television	^[14]
Three Blue Ducks		Network 10	^[15]
Why Are You Like This		ABC TV Plus	^[16]
The Cube		Network 10	^[17]
Space Invaders		Nine Network	^[18]
Under Investigation with Liz Hayes		Nine Network	^[19]
Amazing Grace		Nine Network	^[20]
Mega Zoo		Nine Network	^[21]
Space Nova	(9Go!), (ABC Me)	9Go! ABC Me	^[22]
Ultimate Tag		Seven Network	^[23]
Fisk		ABC	^[24]
Advancing Australia		Network 10	^[25]
Wakefield	(iview), (TV)	ABC Television	^[26]
See What You Made Me Do		SBS	^[27]
Art Works		ABC Television	^[28]
The Unusual Suspects		SBS	^[29]
Win the Week		ABC Television	^[30]
Movin' to the Country		ABC Television	^[31]
Life in Colour		Nine Network	^[32]
Luxe Listings Sydney		Amazon Prime Video	^[33]
Ms Represented		ABC Television	^[34]
The Cheap Seats		Network 10	^[35]
Australia: Now and Then		Seven Network	^[36]
Back to Nature		ABC Television	^[37]
The Hundred with Andy Lee		Nine Network	^[38]
RFDS		Seven Network	^[39]
The Newsreader		ABC Television	^[40]
Homicide with Ron Iddles		Seven Network	^[41]
Beyond the Towers		ABC Television	^[42]
Question Everything		ABC Television	^[43]
What Does Australia Really Think About...		SBS	^[44]
Nurses		Seven Network	^[45]
Inside Central Station: Australia's Busiest Railway		SBS	^[46]
The School That Tried to End Racism		ABC Television	^[47]
Lie With Me	TBA	Network 10	^[48]

International series

Program! scope="col"

Original airdate	Network	Country of origin	Source
Gigantosaurus	1 March 2021	9Go!	France/Canada
Lego Monkie Kid	13 March 2021	9Go!	China/Denmark
Beyblade Burst Surge	15 March 2021	9Go!	Japan
	20 March 2021	9Go!	Canada/Japan

Programming changes

Changes to network affiliation

Criterion for inclusion in the following list is that Australian premiere episodes will air in Australia for the first time on a new channel. This includes when a program is moved from a free-to-air network's primary channel to a digital multi-channel, as well as when a program moves between subscription television channels – provided the preceding criterion is met. Ended television series which change networks for repeat broadcasts are not included in the list.

Program! scope="col" align="center"

Date	New network	Previous network	Source
Dancing with the Stars		Seven Network	Network 10	^[49]
The Voice		Seven Network	Nine Network	^[50]
Five Bedrooms		Paramount+	Network 10	^[51]

Free-to-air premieres

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

Subscription premieres

This is a list of programs which made their debut on Australian subscription television, having previously premiered on Australian free-to-air television. Programs may still air (first or repeat) on the original free-to-air television network.

Returning programs

Australian produced programs which are returning with a new season after being absent from television from the previous calendar year.

Show	Return date	Previous run	Type of return	Previous channel	New/same channel	Source
H2O: Just Add Water (as H2O: Just Add More Water)	Autumn	2008–2010	Revival	Network 10	Disney+	^[52]
Territory Cops		2012–2016; intermittently	New season	Network 10	same	^[53]
The Celebrity Apprentice Australia		2011–2015	New season	Nine Network	same	^[54]
The Weakest Link		2001–2002	New season	Seven Network	Nine Network	^[55] ^[56]
Beauty & the Geek Australia		2009–2014	New season	Seven Network	Nine Network	^[57]

^a Was originally due to premiere on 4 May 2021, but was delayed by three weeks due to a tight production schedule.

Endings

Program! scope="col"

End date	Network	Start date	Source
The Mix	27 March 2021	ABC	14 June 2014	^[58]
Doctor Doctor	23 June 2021		14 September 2016	^[59]
Totally Wild	27 June 2021	Network 10	12 July 1992	^[60]

Deaths

Name	Date	Age	Field	Broadcasting notability	Reference
Gaynor Bunning	12 January	aged 82	Radio variety and Melbourne TV personality	The Gaynor Bunning Show, Tennage Mailbag, The Bobby Limb Show In Melbourne Tonight, Pot Luck	^[61]
Trisha Noble	23 January	aged 76	Singer and Actress	Bandstand	^[62]
Russell Goodrick	11 May		Radio personality, DJ and TV news presenter, businessman (although worked in London, England)	Nine News	^[63]
Mary Rossi	25 May	aged 95	Television presenter	Woman's World	^[64]
John Gregg (actor)	1 June	aged 82	Theatre, TV and film actor, and voice over artist	Contrabandits, Delta	^[65]
Dinah Shearing	20 June	aged 95	Actress, known for numerous plays and TV series	Othello, Family and Friends	^[66]
Reg Gorman	6 August	aged 82	TV actor	The Sullivans	^[67]
Wynn Roberts	2 September	aged 97	Radio, theatre and television	Prisoner, Neighbours and Law of the Land	^[68]
Doug Parkinson	15 March	aged 74	Musician and actor	The Young Doctors, Always Greener, Shadows of the Heart	^[69]
Frank Warrick	11 May	aged 76	Newsreader and presenter	Seven News, Nine News, The World Around Us, The $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime	^[70]
	23 May	aged 91	Singer and actress	The Lorrae Desmond Show, A Country Practice	^[71]
Mike Bailey	20 July	aged 71	Television and radio weather presenter	ABC News, Seven News.	^[72]
	9 July	aged 65	English-born radio and television presenter	Simon Townsend's Wonder World, Studio 10	^[73]
	19 July	aged 106,	Actress and broadcaster	Prisoner, Sons and Daughters	^[74]
	20 July	aged 70	Network television executive	Media executive of Nine Network, Seven Network	^[75]
John Cornell	23 July	aged 80	Actor, director, producer and writer	The Paul Hogan Show	^[76]
	24 July	aged 45,	Actor	Home and Away, Underbelly, Neighbours	^[77]
	25 July	aged 71	Camera operator and floor manager	Hey Hey It's Saturday	^[78]
	5 August	aged 89	Newsreader and presenter	Nine News, Bandstand	^[79]
	15 August	aged 82	Radio and television presenter	Sunnyside Up, Adelaide Tonight, The Ernie Sigley Show, Wheel of Fortune, In Melbourne Today	^[80]
	30 October	aged 83,	Radio and television personality	In Melbourne Tonight, The Bert Newton Show, New Faces, Good Morning Australia, Berts Family Feud
	27 November	aged 88	Film, TV, voicexandxradio	Shine	^[81]

See also

• 2021 in Australia
• List of Australian films of 2021

Notes and References

1. News: Lawrence. Sarah. TV news bulletins to go in Queensland, Victoria, NSW as Nine drops Southern Cross for WIN. 12 March 2021. ABC News. 14 March 2021.
2. Web site: Knox. David. 10 signs affiliation deal with WIN for Northern NSW. 23 June 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 2 July 2021.
3. News: Seven Network reclaims rights to broadcast Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020. 9 July 2014. News.com.au. 9 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20150416024041/http://www.news.com.au/national/seven-network-reclaims-rights-to-broadcast-summer-olympics-in-rio-de-janeiro-in-2016-and-tokyo-in-2020/story-e6frfkp9-1226982287383. 16 April 2015. live.
4. News: McKnight. Robert. ELLEN dumped by Channel 9 before final season airs. 12 August 2021. TV Blackbox. 5 December 2021.
5. News: Perry. Kevin. EXCLUSIVE!No home on Australian TV for Ellen Degeneres after ratings collapse. 16 August 2021. TV Blackbox. 5 December 2021.
6. News: NBN channel surfing from Mosbri Crescent to new Honeysuckle home. 18 November 2021. Newcastle Herald. 5 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117073229/https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/7497759/nbn-prepares-to-channel-new-state-of-the-art-studio/. 17 November 2021. live.
7. Web site: Prime Media shareholders give the green light for Seven West Media merger. 23 December 2021.
8. Web site: Alexander. Julia. December 10, 2020. Disney unveils Star, its Hulu replacement for international Disney Plus subscribers. December 12, 2020. The Verge. en.
9. Web site: Knox. David. Paramount+ sets August launch. 7 May 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
10. Web site: Perry. Kevin. FOXTEL'S LATEST STREAMING SERVICE FLASH HAS LAUNCHED FEATURING OVER 20 LIVE NEWS CHANNELS. 14 October 2021. TV Blackbox. TV Blackbox. 14 October 2021.
11. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Stutter School. 3 January 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
12. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Birdsville or Bust. 10 January 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
13. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Bowled Over. 19 January 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
14. Web site: Airdate: Aftertaste. Knox. David. 12 January 2021. TV Tonight. 5 August 2021.
15. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Three Blue Ducks. 28 January 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
16. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Why Are You Like This. 20 January 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
17. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: The Cube. 1 February 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
18. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Space Invaders. 11 February 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
19. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Under Investigation. 17 February 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 3 July 2021.
20. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Amazing Grace. 16 February 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 3 July 2021.
21. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Mega Zoo. 26 February 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 2 July 2021.
22. Web site: Knox. David. Voice cast set for Space Nova. 18 September 2019. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
23. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Ultimate Tag. 1 March 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 2 July 2021.
24. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Fisk. 13 February 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
25. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Advancing Australia. 16 March 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
26. Web site: Airdate: Wakefield. Knox. David. 4 March 2021. TV Tonight. 5 August 2021.
27. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: See What You Made Me Do. 7 April 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
28. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Art Works. 8 April 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 3 July 2021.
29. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: The Unusual Suspects. 29 April 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
30. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Win the Week. 31 May 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 3 July 2021.
31. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Movin' to the Country. 1 June 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
32. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: David Attenborough's Life in Colour. 28 June 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 3 July 2021.
33. Web site: Knox. David. Luxe Listings Sydney. 6 July 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
34. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Ms Represented. 15 June 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
35. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: The Cheap Seats. 13 July 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
36. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Australia: Now and Then. 3 August 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
37. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Back to Nature. 15 July 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
38. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: The Hundred with Andy Lee. 2 August 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
39. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: RFDS. 25 July 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
40. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: The Newsreader. 12 July 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
41. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Homicide with Ron Iddles. 11 August 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
42. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Beyond the Towers. 30 July 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
43. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Question Everything. 28 July 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
44. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: What Does Australia Really Think About.... 22 July 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
45. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Nurses. 10 August 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
46. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Inside Central Station: Australia's Oldest Railway. 17 August 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
47. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: The School That Tried to End Racism. 17 August 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
48. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Lie With Me. 5 August 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
49. Web site: Knox. David. Seven confirms Dancing with the Stars revival. 20 December 2020. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 2 July 2021.
50. Web site: Knox. David. Upfronts 2021: Seven. 21 October 2020. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 2 July 2021.
51. Web site: Knox. David. 10 changes strategy on Five Bedrooms. 8 May 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 18 August 2021.
52. http://www.jmsp.com.au/jmsp/public/public
53. Web site: Knox. David. Returning: Territory Cops. 5 February 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 3 July 2021.
54. Web site: David. Knox. Returning: The Celebrity Apprentice. 10 May 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 2 July 2021.
55. Web site: David. Knox. Nine delays The Weakest Link premiere. TV Tonight. 28 April 2021. 29 April 2021.
56. Web site: David. Knox. New date for The Weakest Link premiere. TV Tonight. 17 May 2021. 17 May 2021.
57. Web site: Knox. David. Airdate: Beauty and the Geek. 28 June 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 3 July 2021.
58. Web site: Knox. David. Axed: The Mix. 10 February 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 3 July 2021.
59. Web site: Knox. David. Axed: Doctor Doctor ending with Season 5. 10 June 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 2 July 2021.
60. Web site: Knox. David. Axed: Totally Wild, Scope. 3 February 2021. TV Tonight. TV Tonight. 2 July 2021.
61. Web site: Obituary: Gaynor Bunning. 12 January 2021.
62. Web site: Obituary: Trisha Noble.
63. Web site: Obituary: Russell Goodrick. 11 May 2021.
64. Web site: Obituary: Mary Rossi. 25 May 2021.
65. Web site: Obituary: John Gregg.
66. Web site: Obituary:Dinah Shearing.
67. Web site: Obituary: Reg Gorman. 6 August 2021.
68. Web site: Obituary: Wynn Roberts.
69. News: Knox. David. 16 March 2021. Vale: Doug Parkinson . TV Tonight. 16 August 2021.
70. News: Knox. David. 11 May 2021. Vale: Frank Warrick . TV Tonight.
71. News: Knox. David. 23 May 2021. Vale: Lorrae Desmond . TV Tonight. 16 August 2021.
72. News: Swanston. Tim. Former ABC weather presenter Mike Bailey dies aged 71. 21 June 2021. ABC News. ABC. 2 July 2021.
73. News: Jonathan Coleman: Australian radio and television personality dies age 65. The Guardian. 10 July 2021.
74. News: Knox. David. 19 July 2021. Vale: Mary Ward. TV Tonight. 28 July 2021.
75. News: Knox. David. 20 July 2021. Vale: David Leckie. TV Tonight. 28 July 2021.
76. News: Knox. David. 23 July 2021. Vale: John Cornell . TV Tonight. 28 July 2021.
77. News: Dieter Brummer: Home and Away actor dies aged 45. BBC News. 26 July 2021. 28 July 2021.
78. News: Doyle. Pip. 27 July 2021. Hey Hey It's Saturday's 'Lucky Phil' Lambert Passed Away Over The Weekend. WSFM. 28 July 2021.
79. News: Knox. David. 5 August 2021. Vale: Brian Henderson. TV Tonight. 6 August 2021.
80. News: Knox. David. 16 August 2021. Vale: Ernie Sigley . TV Tonight. 16 August 2021.
81. Web site: Vale: Beverley Dunn.