Events
6 January – Rob Elliott now takes over from John Burgess as host of Wheel of Fortune, after the failed attempt last year with long-time Sale of the Century quizmaster Tony Barber as host. The programme starts 1997 without Adriana Xenides, as she takes a long- term leave as the letter turner due to a cancerous breakdown. She would return to the puzzleboard in July. Her place is filled by ex-Perfect Match hostess Kerrie Friend. After a notable absence throughout 1996 due in part to hosting Family Feud for the last remainder of the year, John Deeks returns to the booth as announcer – the position had been held by David Day in Adelaide, and Ron E Sparks in Sydney. 3 February – Australian drama serial Heartbreak High switches over to air on ABC at 6:00 pm from Monday to Thursdays. 31 March – A brand new Australian game show called Burgo's Catch Phrase hosted by former Wheel of Fortune presenter John Burgess starts screening on Nine Network. 13 June – Australian children's television series Bananas in Pyjamas appears for the first time in Singapore on Channel 5. 26 June – British sitcom Mr. Bean starring Rowan Atkinson as the titular character switches over to the Seven Network a year after finishing up on the ABC. 29 June – The 1993 film In the Line of Fire starring Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich premieres on the Nine Network. 1 July – Prime Television comes to Mildura, ending a monopoly on commercial television held by STV-8 since 1965. 8 July – Ownership of Australia Television International moves from ABC to Seven Network. 8 July – American animated series Hey Arnold! makes its debut on ABC. 11 July – American-Canadian children's animated series Arthur debuts on ABC. The series is still broadcast on ABC Kids as of 2022. 4 August – Judge Judy makes it debut on Network Ten. 1 September – Cult Sitcom The Adventures of Lano and Woodley starring comedians Colin Lane and Frank Woodley premieres on the ABC. September – Jo Beth Taylor resigns as host of Australia's Funniest Home Video Show as part of the show's biggest hosts in history – she is replaced by Getaway reporter, Catriona Rowntree, and then axed. 22 September – A reboot of the classic Australian 1980s sitcom Kingswood Country called Bullpitt! once again starring Ross Higgins as Ted Bullpitt airs on Seven Network. 11 October – In Neighbours, Helen Daniels dies in her sleep at a family get together. The last ever of the original 1985 cast members Anne Haddy departs the series, she died two years later after a long illness. 12 October – American sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond debuts on the Seven Network. 1 November – TCN-9 stages the first trial of digital television in the Southern Hemisphere. 16 November – The 1994 Film Forrest Gump starring Tom Hanks premieres on the Nine Network. 23 November – American animated comedy series King of the Hill screens on the Seven Network at 7:30 pm. 3 December – American supernatural fiction, fantasy, action, horror series Buffy the Vampire Slayer debuts on the Seven Network. 20 December – American animated comedy series South Park airs on SBS. It also became the network's highest rating series to date. December – Prime Television acquires the rights to Canal 9 in Argentina. The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales is broadcast live on the ABC and all commercial free-to-air television channels. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is televised for the first time on commercial television.
Channels
New channels
1 June – Ovation Channel
1 July – Odyssey Channel
1 September – The LifeStyle Channel
7 September – Movie Extra
Rebranded channels
20 March – MTV Australia (was ARC Music Channel) 18 April – Channel V Australia (was Red) 7 September – Movie One (was The Movie Network)
Debuts
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.