1987 in Australian television

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Use Australian English

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Events

  • January – Alan Bond, the owner of QTQ-9 & STW-9, also purchases TCN-9 & GTV-9 from Kerry Packer for $1.055 billion. The expanded Nine Network becomes the first coast-to-coast network.
  • January – Long-running ABC music program Countdown launches as Countdown Pirate TV or CDP-TV.
  • 5 January – British soap opera series EastEnders debuts on ABC.
  • 10 January – Final episode of Australian soap opera Prime Time is being shown on Nine Network as the series was not a popular success.
  • February – Fairfax, owners of ATN-7 & BTQ-7 purchase HSV-7 from The Herald and Weekly Times for $320 million. The move sees the replacement of most Melbourne-produced programming with networked programming from Sydney, including long-running shows such as World of Sport & sees Mal Walden sacked as newsreader. The revamped news service, read by former STW-9 newsreader Greg Pearce plunges to as low as zero in the ratings.
  • 2 February – Canadian children's series The Kids of Degrassi Street, the first in the Degrassi trilogy series premieres on the ABC.
  • 8 February – American sitcom ALF debuts on Seven Network.
  • 11 February – Australian comedy series Hey Dad..! debuts on Seven Network.
  • 12 February – Australian drama series Rafferty's Rules screens on Seven Network.
  • 15 February – Network Ten premieres a brand new Australian music video program called Video Hits.
  • 16 February – British children's animated series Henry's Cat makes its debut on the ABC at 3:55Script error: No such module "String".pm.
  • 16 February – ABC debuts a brand new weekday afternoon magazine series called The Afternoon Show presented by former Models saxophonist James Valentine. The show begins by airing three programmes per day. One show (The Mysterious Cities of Gold) airs weekdays at 5:00Script error: No such module "String".pm, one (The Return of the Antelope) airs for only two days and the other three (which includes Behind the News, Educating Marmalade and Earthwatch) will be airing on one different day of the week for the 5:30Script error: No such module "String".pm timeslot. The third programme (which is the continuing episodes of The Kids of Degrassi Street) for this show also airs at 6:00Script error: No such module "String".pm on weeknights.
  • 26 March – Prime Minister Bob Hawke calls off the proposed amalgamation of the ABC and SBS.
  • 27 March - Mal Walden was sacked by new management after HSV-7 was taken over by the Fairfax group. He was told of his dismissal only minutes before going on air to present what became his final news bulletin for the station.
  • 5 April – The infamous Grim Reaper advertisement debuts on television.
  • 6 April – British children's television series Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (later Thomas & Friends) debuts on ABC at 3:55Script error: No such module "String".pm.
  • 6 April – ABC debuts a brand new comedy series called The Dingo Principle.
  • 13 April – ABC weekday afternoon magazine series The Afternoon Show updates its schedule by airing four different programmes on five different days of the week. One show (a brand new Canadian-Scottish drama series called The Campbells) airs from Monday to Thursdays, the other (which is an Australian children's environmental series called Earthwatch now presented by David Smith) now airs only on Fridays, the next programme, a brand new sketch comedy series from Canada titled You Can't Do That on Television airs weekdays at 5:30Script error: No such module "String".pm and the last one includes reruns of the French-American-Canadian animated series Inspector Gadget being shown weeknights at 6:00Script error: No such module "String".pm.
  • 17 April – The ABC launches its overnight music video block Rage.
  • 20 April – ABC comedy series The Dingo Principle broadcasts a mock interview with the Ayatollah Khomeini, which results in diplomatic tensions with Iran, including the expulsion of two Australian diplomats. Two weeks later, the ABC receives a letter of complaint from the Soviet embassy regarding a skit lampooning Russian figures Mikhail Gorbachev and Vladimir Lenin.
  • 4 May – Australian children's weekday and weekend morning series The Cartoon Connection airs on Seven Network in Victoria for the first time starting off with The Herculoids (replacing The Bugs Bunny Show for Mondays to Wednesdays, The Road Runner Show for Thursdays and The Porky Pig Show for Fridays because all three of these shows aired on Seven only in Sydney), The Flintstones, Tom and Jerry and The Partridge Family on weekdays, Yogi's Treasure Hunt, Paw Paws, Galtar and the Golden Lance (replacing ThunderCats, this show first aired in Sydney in 1986, it didn't air in Melbourne until 1989) and Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? on Saturdays and The Smurfs, The Challenge of the GoBots, It's Punky Brewster and Defenders of the Earth on Sundays.
  • 8 June – ABC comedy series The Dingo Principle airs its 10th and final episode.
  • 25 June – After the ill-fated attempt of the Pirate TV format, the axing of the ABC's long-running music program, Countdown was announced, according to the network's then-managing director David Hill, who has said that the damage was done.
  • 1 July – Neighbours screens the wedding of Scott Robinson and Charlene Mitchell, which later in November 1988 saw the most-watched all time episodes in the UK.
  • 6 July – Reruns of the British children's television series Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends air on the ABC for the first time. This was also the second time the series had been broadcast.
  • 6 July – Debut of British sitcom Executive Stress on ABC.
  • July – Westfield buys Network Ten from Rupert Murdoch's News Limited for $842 million.
  • 19 July – Countdown broadcasts for the very last time ever with the final Countdown Music and Video Awards from the Sydney Entertainment Centre. In the closing, Molly Meldrum took off his trademark cowboy hat to reveal a bald head, signing off and John Farnham performed "You're the Voice". The last one-hour show was presented by Neighbours stars Guy Pearce, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.
  • 31 July – American sitcom The Golden Girls debuts on Seven Network.
  • August – New cross-media ownership rules force the sale of the Seven Network. Fairfax sells its stations to Christopher Skase's Qintex company for $780 million.
  • 17 August – The ABC broadcasts a lineup of children's morning programmes for the 7:00Script error: No such module "String".am to 10:00Script error: No such module "String".am timeslot for the first time.
  • 12 September – Australian gardening and lifestyle programme Burke's Backyard, endorsed by gardener Don Burke, premieres on Nine Network. It was also one of the first of the long line of prime-time "infotainment" and lifestyle programs on commercial television.
  • 26 October – A new Australian children's television series called Kaboodle debuts on ABC.
  • 23 November – American soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful makes it debut on Network Ten at 1:00Script error: No such module "String".pm.
  • 24 November – American action adventure series MacGyver makes its debut on Seven Network at 7:30Script error: No such module "String".pm.
  • 2 December – American sitcom Perfect Strangers premieres on Seven Network.
  • 27 December – When the new year approaches, Kerry Stokes's ownership of ADS-7 (while owning Network Ten outlets in Perth and Canberra) and TVW-7's ownership of SAS-10, result in the stations deciding to cease broadcasting under swapped callsigns and affiliations. ADS-7 becomes ADS-10 and aligns to the Ten Network and SAS-10 becomes SAS-7 and aligns to the Seven Network.
  • Network Ten loses the Winfield Cup rights to the Nine Network after 5 years.

The following quote came from Seven National News reporter Alan Murrell on the 27 December 1987 edition regarding the move:Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

"Tonight will mark the end of the callsigns ADS-7 and SAS-10. Tomorrow, they be rebranded as ADS-10 and SAS-7. It's the first time such a change has been made. The switch follows a media shake-up earlier this year, which left ADS in the hands of the owners of the Ten Network. Already, the cosmetic changes are being made at Strangways Terrace and Gilberton. But viewers will notice little difference. They'll still turn the knob to Ten for Channel Ten programs, and to Seven for Seven programs.
"The only difference will be that the local personalities will be seen on different channels. So if you want to watch Steve Whitham and Caroline Ainslie reading the news tomorrow night, you simply turn the dial three positions, from Seven-to ADS-10. And it's as easy as that."

Debuts

Program Network Debut date
For Love or Money ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Hey Dad...! Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Rafferty's Rules Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Video Hits Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
The Afternoon Show ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Willing and Abel Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Pot Luck Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Vietnam Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Camera Script ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
The Dingo Principle ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Rage ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Night Shift Network Ten April
MTV Nine Network April
Fields of Fire Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Relative Merits ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Pals ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
University Challenge ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Poor Man's Orange Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Ridgey Didge Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Burke's Backyard Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
The Factory ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Kaboodle ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Nancy Wake Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Crossfire Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Rubbish Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".

New international programming

Program Network Debut date
Template:Flagicon Legends of the World SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon EastEnders ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon In Sickness and in Health ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Oxbridge Blues ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Last Sailors SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Howards' Way ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon C.A.T.S. Eyes Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Jesus: The Evidence SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Great Oak SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Brookside SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Paradise Postponed ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Wijntak Family SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Aubrey ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Kids of Degrassi Street ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Crime, Inc. ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Who Dares Wins ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Dempsey and Makepeace Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon ALF Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Valerie Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Oddie in Paradise ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon My Sister Sam Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Head of the Class Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Today's Special ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon If Tomorrow Comes Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Henry's Cat ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon/Template:Flagicon The Mysterious Cities of Gold ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Sins Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Return of the Antelope ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Let's Go Maths ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Mandara SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Easy Street Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Dress Gray Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Yogi's Treasure Hunt Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Fragile Earth ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Second Sex SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Barriers ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon George Burns Comedy Week Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon L.A. Law Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Fluppy Dogs Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Alias the Jester ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon/Template:Flagicon The Little Vampire Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Redd Foxx Show Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Heimat SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Raggy Dolls ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon/Template:Flagicon The Campbells ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon You Can't Do That on Television ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Vidal in Venice SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Insiders Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Blam! SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Jim Henson Presents The World of Puppetry ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Defenders of the Earth Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Monocled Mutineer ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Filthy, Rich and Catflap ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Real Ghostbusters Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Pound Puppies (1986) Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Shaka Zulu Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Understanding the Under 12s ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Jimbo and the Jet-Set ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon There Comes a Time Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Life and Loves of a She-Devil Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Langley Bottom ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Matlock Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Donald Duck's 50th Birthday Network Ten (Sydney) Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Cities SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Krypton Factor ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Designing Women Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Cyprus: Britain's Grim Legacy SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Silverhawks Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Kissyfur Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Executive Stress ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Once Upon a Time... Space SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Teacher Haze ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Lovejoy ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Lytton's Diary ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Troubles SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Return of Sherlock Holmes Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Peter the Great Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Golden Girls Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Cockleshell Bay Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Great Space Coaster Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Mysterious Island SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Popples Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Family Ness ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Robo Story ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Out on a Limb Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Hold the Dream ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon First Among Equals Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon All in Good Faith ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Three Up, Two Down ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Hang in There, Floki SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The First Eden ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon/Template:Flagicon The Wonderful Wizard of Oz ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon/Template:Flagicon The Berenstain Bears ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Colette SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Flintstone Kids Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Paddington's Birthday Bonanza ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Chocky's Challenge ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Ghostbusters ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Connie Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Land and the Mill SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon DuckTales Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The House SBS TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Mr. Palfrey of Westminster ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Bulman Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Monte Carlo Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Lorne Greene's New Wilderness ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Better Days Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Slinger's Day ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Sidekicks Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Bold and the Beautiful Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Bread ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Santa Barbara Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Spies Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon MacGyver Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon High and Dry Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Codename Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Life with Lucy Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Misfits of Science Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Fortune Dane Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Shadow Chasers Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Perfect Strangers Seven Network 2 December
Template:Flagicon Crime Story Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Refuge Seven Network 7 December
Template:Flagicon Comedy Break ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Belle and Sebastian ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Singing Detective ABC TV 13 December
Template:Flagicon Puddle Lane ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Baby and Co. ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Dodger, Bonzo and the Rest ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Gems ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Mapp and Lucia Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Tucker's Luck ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Murder of a Moderate Man ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Pee-wee Herman Show ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Carlton Your Doorman Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon/Template:Flagicon Babar and Father Christmas ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Cavanaughs ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon The Ellen Burstyn Show Seven Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Supergran Nine Network 1987
Template:Flagicon Our House Seven Network 1987

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
Mother and Son Network Ten ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".
Butterfly Island Seven Network ABC TV Script error: No such module "sort".

International

Program New network(s) Previous network(s) Date
Template:Flagicon The New Scooby-Doo Movies Seven Network Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? Seven Network Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Donald Duck's 50th Birthday Seven Network (Melbourne) Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Finder of Lost Loves Seven Network Network Ten Script error: No such module "sort".
Template:Flagicon Scooby and Scrappy-Doo Seven Network Nine Network Script error: No such module "sort".

Television shows

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

Ending this year

Date Show Channel Debut
22 March World of Sport Seven Melbourne 1959
10 January Prime Time Nine Network 1986
10 April 1987 Camera Script ABC 6 April 1987
8 June 1987 The Dingo Principle ABC 6 April 1987
18 June The Girl from Steel City SBS 1986
19 July Countdown ABC 1974
17 August Relative Merits ABC 15 June 1987
19 August Sons and Daughters Channel Seven 1982
29 August The Henderson Kids Channel Ten 1985
11 September It's a Knockout Channel Ten 1985
18 September The New Adventures of Blinky Bill ABC 1984
5 November Nancy Wake Channel Seven 4 November 1987
29 December The Fast Lane ABC 1985

Returning this year

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TV movies

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See also

References

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