Events 1 January – Mildura Digital Television, a joint venture between WIN Television Mildura and Prime Television, goes on air in the Mildura area of Victoria as a Network Ten digital-only affiliate. 2 January – The Seven, Foxtel and Ten Networks outbid Channel Nine and are awarded the rights to broadcast the AFL from 2007 to 2011 for a record $780 million. Also around this time, Seven announce that they have won the rights to broadcast the V8 Supercars from 2007 to 2014. 30 January – At 6am, Channel Nine launches a new logo and a major revamp, dropping the dots and replacing it with a stand-alone nine in a blue box. On the same day, Wheel of Fortune returns to Seven Network with Larry Emdur and Laura Csortan as hosts. Their stint ran for five months, as the final edition of the programme was screened on 28 July, after twenty-five years of broadcasting. The original series later returned with twenty unaired episodes from 2005, featuring former hosts Steve Omecke and Sophie Falkiner, which would air at 10am for five weeks, until 1 September. 9 February – The Nine Network announces Eddie McGuire in his new role as the network's new CEO. 20 February – Television Sydney formally launches after three months of testing, giving Sydney community television for the first time in almost two years. 1 April – The final season of Blue Heelers goes to air now on Saturday Nights, pitting it against ABC's The Bill and Network Ten's AFL coverage. 3 April – After weeks of poor ratings Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? airs for the final time on Monday Nights. It returns for a short period following an 18-month break due to McGuire's role as CEO for the Nine Network. 9 May – Sunrise weather presenter Grant Denyer and his partner Amanda Garner win the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars. 21 May – Brant Webb and Todd Russell speak to new A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw about their time underground in Beaconsfield in a 2-hour special called The Great Escape. They are paid a reported $2.6 million by Channel Nine for the right to talk to them. 4 June – After 12 years and a record-breaking 510 episodes, the last episode of the Seven Network show Blue Heelers goes to air. 30 June – Australian soap opera Neighbours broadcasts its 5000th episode, which sees Paul Robinson trapped in a mineshaft by his son Robert. 7 July – Children's fantasy drama series H2O: Just Add Water starring Claire Holt, Phoebe Tonkin and Cariba Heine premieres on Network Ten. 9 July – The British nature documentary series Planet Earth, narrated by David Attenborough, premieres on the ABC. 18 July – Australian kids program Play School celebrates 40 years on air. 31 July – Jamie Brooksby wins the sixth season of Big Brother. 29 August – Model Jake Wall and his professional skating partner Maria Filippov win the first season of Torvill and Dean's Dancing on Ice. 14 September – Today Tonight host Naomi Robson is deported from Indonesia after doing a story on a West Papuan boy called Wa Wa who, supposedly, was going to be eaten by cannibals. This sparks a war of words between Seven and Nine, who ran the original story on Wa Wa in May on 60 Minutes. Naomi presents her final edition of Today Tonight on 1 December. 16 September – Television in Australia turns 50. The next day, this is commemorated with a live TV special from Star City, Sydney on the Seven Network. 29 September Backyard Blitz finishes its 6-year run on the Nine Network. Jamie Durie leaves Nine and signs up with the Seven Network, the next year, he dances his way on Dancing with the Stars. 30 September – The Fox Footy Channel ceases broadcasting then later revived as Fox Footy in 2012. It is replaced by Fox Sports 3 and Fox Sports News on 1 October. 18 October – PBL announces the sale of 50% of the Nine Network, including its 50% stake in ninemsn and ACP to CVC Asia Pacific for $4.5 billion. 26 November – Irishman Damien Leith defeats 17-year-old Jessica Mauboy to be based only on Sony BMG after being crowned the title of Australian Idol 2006 at the Sydney Opera House. 28 November – AFL player Anthony Koutoufides (Kouta) and his partner Natalie Lowe win the fifth season of Dancing with the Stars. 10 December – Network Ten and Fox Sports broadcasts V8 Supercars for the final-ever time, before handing the television rights to the Seven Network from 2007 to 2014. Ten and Fox Sports later revived the V8 Supercars coverage 9 years later. Voiceover artist Robbie McGregor leaves SBS after 17 years. He is replaced the next year by Lani John Tupu.
New channels 1 October – Fox Sports 3 1 October – Fox Sports News 15 November – Al Jazeera English 1 December – Sci Fi Channel
Premieres
Free-to-air television Program Channel Debut date RAN – Remote Area Nurse SBS TV 9am with David and Kim Network Ten The Biggest LoserBiggest Loser is Ten's Biggest Winner , eNews, 14 February 2006. Network Ten Bert's Family Feud Nine Network Bondi Rescue Network Ten The Chaser's War on Everything ABC TV Head 2 Head ABC TV Clever Nine Network Magda's Funny Bits Nine Network Where Are They Now? Seven Network Thank God You're Here Network Ten Hello/Goodbye Nine Network It Takes Two Seven Network What's Good For You Nine Network The Wedge Network Ten Can We Help? ABC TV Wine Me, Dine Me Nine Network Mortified Nine Network H2O: Just Add Water Network Ten Torvill and Dean's Dancing on Ice Nine Network Honey, We're Killing the Kids Network Ten Quizmania Nine Network jtv ABC TV First Tuesday Book Club ABC TV Cybershack Network Ten Yasmin's Getting Married Network Ten You May Be Right Axed after four episodes Seven Network Two Twisted Nine Network The Master Axed after one episode but returned later in the year Seven Network David Tench Tonight Network Ten The Force: Behind the Line Seven Network Real Stories Network Ten Police Files: Unlocked Seven Network Good Game ABC2 What a Year Nine Network The Real Seachange Seven Network Operatunity Oz ABC TV Big Questions Nine Network Tripping Over Network Ten Do It Nine Network Speaking in Tongues SBS TV Food Safari SBS TV Puzzle Play Network Ten
Subscription television Program Channel Debut date Crown Australian Celebrity Poker Challenge FOX8 An Aussie Goes Barmy FOX8
New international programming Program Channel Debut date Garth Marenghi's Darkplace SBS TV Prison Break Seven Network Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi Nine Network One Piece (4Kids version) Network Ten Mew Mew Power Network Ten Doc MartinDoc Martin – ABC TV Guide ABC TV Roobarb and Custard Too ABC TV The Gnoufs ABC TV The Buzz on Maggie Seven Network 25 February / Pinky Dinky Doo ABC TV A Town Called Panic ABC TV The Amazing Adrenalini Brothers (TV series) ABC TV / Edgar and Ellen ABC TV / Zombie Hotel ABC TV / Skyland ABC TV New Captain Scarlet ABC2 Lunar Jim ABC TV Samurai Champloo SBS TV Bratz Network Ten Worst Week of My Life, The The Worst Week of My LifeThe Worst Week Of My Life – ABC TV Guide ABC TV Help! I'm a Teenage Outlaw ABC TV Class of the Titans ABC TV Animal Jam ABC TV / Gerald McBoing-Boing ABC TV Delilah & Julius ABC2 ATOM Seven Network Dr. Dog ABC TV / Jane and the Dragon ABC TV / Bernard ABC TV All Grown Up! Network Ten The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss ABC2 The New Adventures of Old Christine Nine Network My Life as a Teenage Robot Network Ten Planet Earth ABC TV Bleak HouseBleak House – ABC TV Guide ABC TV City of Men SBS TV The Emperor's New School Seven Network Dora the Explorer Nine Network / Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs ABC TV Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Network Ten Avatar: The Last Airbender ABC TV Naughty, Naughty Pets ABC TV Monkey Dust ABC2 Princess Natasha ABC TV / Miss BG ABC TV Stuart Little: The Animated Series Network Ten Sensitive Skin Sensitive Skin ABC TV Jericho Network Ten The Batman Nine Network IT Crowd, The The IT CrowdThe IT Crowd – ABC TV Guide ABC TV The Secret Show ABC TV Time Warp Trio ABC TV Biker Mice from Mars (2006) Network Ten / Staines Down Drains Seven Network Curious George ABC TV The Unit Seven Network Those Scurvy Rascals ABC TV Code Lyoko Network Ten Dougie in Disguise ABC2 / PollyWorld Seven Network Little Princess ABC TV Louie ABC TV Russian Dolls: Sex Trade SBS TV Wild at Heart Network Ten SCU: Serious Crash Unit Seven Network Life As We Know It Seven Network Top Gear SBS TV / Erky Perky Seven Network
Subscription television Program Channel Debut date Entourage Arena Hannah Montana Disney Channel Surreal Life, The The Surreal Life (Beginning with season 3, seasons 1 and 2 aired later) VH1 Kept VH1 Emmerdale UKTV Strange Love VH1 Supergroup VH1 So NoTORIous VH1 House of Carters E! Celebrity Fit Club Celebrity Fit Club VH1
Programming changes
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.
Program New network Previous network Date Mopatop's Shop ABC2 ABC Kids (now defunct) Fourways Farm ABC2 ABC Kids (now defunct) Fireman Sam (Original series) ABC2 ABC Kids (now defunct) / / Anthony Ant ABC2 ABC Kids (now defunct) Teletubbies ABC2 ABC Kids (now defunct) / Yakkity Yak ABC TV Network Ten / Sonic X Seven Network Network Ten
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.
International Program Subscription network Free-to-air network Date Lost Fox8 Seven Network
Television shows
1950s
1960s Four Corners (1961–present)
1970s
1980s Wheel of Fortune (1981–1996, 1996–2003, 2004 –2006) Neighbours (1985–present) Home and Away (1988–present) The Movie Show (1986–2008) Rage (1987–present)
1990s Hotline (1990–2007) Australia's Funniest Home Videos (1990–present)
2000s 2001 Big Brother (2001–2008, 2012–2014)
2002
2003 Australian Idol (2003–2009) Deal or No Deal (2003–2013)
2004 Border Security: Australia's Front Line (2004–present) Dancing with the Stars (2004–present)
2005 Medical Emergency (2005–present)
Ending this year Date Show Channel Debut 21 January headLand Seven Network 15 November 2005 23 January Speaking in Tongues SBS TV 7 November 2005 4 June Blue Heelers Seven Network 18 January 1994 28 July Wheel of Fortune Seven Network 21 July 1981 27 August Business Sunday Nine Network 2 March 1986 4 September You May Be Right Seven Network 13 August 2006 21 October 2006 Midnight Zoo Seven Network 31 July 2006 29 October 2006 Operatunity Oz ABC TV 8 October 2006 18 November 2006 So Fresh TV Nine Network 6 September 2003 26 November Sportsworld Seven Network 1987 29 November The Glass House ABC TV 10 August 2001 9 December Head 2 Head ABC TV 18 February 2006 20 December In the Box Network Ten 21 December 1998 27 December 2006 An Aussie Goes Barmy FOX8 29 November 2006 See also 2006 in Australia List of Australian films of 2006
References