1999 in Australian television
The year 1999 in Australian television involved many events.
Events
- 1 February – QSTV becomes an affiliate of the Seven Network, becoming known as Seven Central.
- March – WIN Television WA commences broadcasting to regional & remote Western Australia, ending the long-time monopoly held by Golden West Network.
- April – Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? begins on Channel Nine and Adriana Xenides retires from Seven's Wheel of Fortune after 18 years as co-host.
- 9 April – American animated sitcom Family Guy debuts on Seven Network.
- 19 April – Final episode of Australian talk show Strassman airs on Nine Network.
- 28 May – Final episode of the Australian National morning program 11AM airs on Seven Network. The show was axed after 24 years.
- May – The Seven Network becomes the first Australian television network to introduce a watermark on its programs. Prior to 2008, the watermark was not allowed to be broadcast on news or current affairs programs.
- 28 June – Australian drama series SeaChange returns to the ABC for a second season.
- 1 July – Australian children's longest running series Mr. Squiggle celebrates its 40th year.
- 9 July – Australian children's longest running series Mr. Squiggle airs its final episode on the ABC.
- 19 August – A brand new Australian political satire sketch comedy television series called BackBerner presented by standup comic Peter Berner and noted Australian character actor Louise Siversen screens on ABC.
- 20 September – British children's animated series Bob the Builder debuts on ABC.
- 17 October – British six-part documentary series Walking with Dinosaurs debuts on ABC.
- 19 November – Studio 9 Unplugged, a tribute special dedicated the famous studio rooms at GTV9 presented by Don Lane, goes to air on the Nine Network, ending a 40-year era of live television in that studio.
- 20 November – The final episode of Hey Hey It's Saturday airs on Channel Nine, before retiring, creator, host & producer Daryl Somers leaves Channel Nine after 28 years.
- 2 December – American animated science fiction sitcom Futurama created by Matt Groening the creator of The Simpsons debuts on Seven Network.
- 13 December – Australian children's educational TV series Lift Off airs on ABC for the very last time at 10:00am.
- 31 December – ABC is the host Australian broadcaster of the international TV event 2000 Today, a 26-hour live telecast of new year celebrations around the world, commencing at 8.30pm (AEDST) on 31 December.
- Jana Wendt becomes presenter of the Australian television public affairs program Dateline.
Channels
New channels
Debuts
Domestic
International
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
International
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
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
- Neighbours (1985–1989, 1989–present)
- GMA With Bert Newton (1991–2005)
Ending / Resting this year
References
Brambly Hedge
Oh Yeah! Cartoons [5]
Animorphs[6]
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