This is a list of Australian television related events, debuts, finales, and cancellations that were scheduled to occur in 2016, the 61st year of continuous operation of television in Australia.
Events
January Date Event Source1The ABC's coverage of Sydney New Year's Eve is widely panned for the third consecutive year, with criticism of lame skits and pre-recorded performances.ABC's 'pathetic' New Year's Eve coverage slammed by viewers – again,Sydney Morning Herald, 1 January 201624The Seven Network controversially broadcasts close up shots of Daria Gavrilova's training notes multiple times during its broadcast of the 2016 Australian Open.28Stan signs an exclusive rights agreement with CBS Corporation and Showtime Networks.
February Date Event Source1Seven Network's breakfast show Sunrise gets a new on-air presentation and studio set, replacing the unchanged package which has been introduced in January 2010.Samantha Jade is announced as the inaugural TV Week Logie Awards AmbassadorMark Labbett is "unleashed" as the fifth Chaser on The Chase Australia.7The official 2016 OzTam television ratings period begins.10Weekend Today co-host Cameron Williams quits the Nine Network after stalled contract negotiations. However, he would return to the network less than twelve months later to replace the retiring Ken Sutcliffe as the sports presenter on Nine News Sydney.11WIN Television launch legal action against Nine Network for streaming its metropolitan channels into WIN's regional markets via its 9Now app.12Samantha Armytage is dumped from hosting a UNHCR event in Sydney, following an awkward skit on Sunrise a day earlier involving UNHCR spokesperson Kristin Davis.14Garry Lyon quits The AFL Footy Show citing mental health issues.15OzTAM release the first Video Player Measurement (VPM) ratings, which measure viewership of catch up platforms.17Seven West Media report a first half net profit of $135.2 million, despite a 2% decrease in total television revenue (equating to $14.3 million).19Foxtel launches legal action to block access to four torrent websites, it accuses of illegally distributing its programs, under recently introduced legislation which can force Australian Internet service providers to block website access with a Federal Court order.The Seven and Nine Networks reach a settlement in the Federal Court over a copyright claim on Nine's program The Hotplate. The settlement sees Nine agree not to produce any further seasons of the program, and to never rebroadcast or distribute the first season.23The Turnbull Cabinet approve media reforms proposed by Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield which would see the removal of the 'reach rule' and the 'two out of three' rule from the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. The reforms need to pass the Senate before being enacted.25A blackout at TCN causes Nine Network failing to broadcast the national Nine News Now bulletin, while the Sydney Nine Afternoon News bulletin had to be broadcast from the QTQ Brisbane studio.26Actor Sam Johnson, best known for The Secret Life of Us and Molly, announces his retirement from acting to focus on fundraising for cancer research.29Fetch TV secures exclusive rights to Viacom (VIMN), by confirming plans to launch the Australian version of Comedy Central.
March Date Event Source1The Coalition partyroom pass Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield's proposed media reforms. In addition to the removal of the 'two out of three' rule and 'reach rule', it is proposed that a quota system be introduced for regional content after a merger event.A 60 Minutes cameraman and producer are assaulted and injured while filming a story in Sweden on the European refugee crisis.2Its announced that 14 months after being let go by Nine Network as a result of cost-cutting measures, Emma Freedman who formerly appeared on Weekend Today would return to the network as a presenter on Wide World of Sports.3NRL legend Johnathan Thurston signs a five-year deal with Nine Network, which will see him co-host The Footy Show as well as provide commentary on NRL games and stories.7Seven West Media sign a content deal with Google to stream their content internationally via YouTube.10Billy Brownless reveals on The AFL Footy Show his ex-wife had an affair with his fellow co-host Garry Lyon.13Four Corners reporter Linton Besser and camera operator Louie Eroglu are arrested in Kuching, Malaysia after approaching Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak for comment on his corruption scandal.1414-year-old singer/guitarist Fletcher Pilon wins the eighth season of Australia's Got Talent.15Ian Cook, a Melbourne pilot, and Quoc Huong Vu, a Sydney-based cameraman, are killed in an ultralight aircraft crash in northern Victoria while filming The Amazing Race Vietnam.18Nine Entertainment Co. purchase a 9.9% stake in regional broadcaster Southern Cross Media from Macquarie Group for $1.15 a share, ahead of expected media reforms which will see the removal of the 'reach rule'. 20A two-week Easter break in OzTam television ratings begins.22New streaming service hayu launches in Australia. The service, owned by NBCUniversal, is dedicated to reality programming, featuring titles from NBCUniversal's library – with titles including Keeping Up with the Kardashians, as well as The Real Housewives and Top Chef franchises.30OzTam extend consolidated ratings from 7 days to 28 days.Network Ten enter regional affiliation discussions with WIN Television, which if are successful would see in June 2016 the end of a 27-year affiliation agreement between Nine Network and WIN Television.
April Date Event Source1TV historian Ken McKay is honoured for his work to the field and presented with the WA Heritage Award.3Former Network Ten sports reporter Mel McLaughlin makes her debut appearance on Seven News Sydney. As a result, Jim Wilson moves to the Friday & Saturday role on the bulletin, and Ryan Phelan is removed.Television presenter Daryl Somers makes a television comeback on the Nine Network as host of You're Back in the Room.Official OzTam ratings resume after a two-week non-ratings period over Easter.5Nine Network report an 11% drop in revenue for their third quarter, which saw their share price drop 24.7% to $1.14.6A power outage in Mackay, Queensland caused by bamboo touching the high voltage power lines saw the area lose TV reception as the lines affected serviced the local TV transmitters and the back up generators failed to work.7Former Seven News presenter Rebecca Maddern debuts as the first permanent female co-host on The AFL Footy Show.A 60 Minutes crew, including co-host Tara Brown, are detained in Beirut while filming a story on a custody battle.13The four 60 Minutes crew members (reporter Tara Brown, senior producer Stephen Rice, cameraman Ben Williamson and sound recordist David Ballment) who had been detained in Beirut, Lebanon (see 7 April) are charged with four separate charges, including kidnapping, causing harm and not respecting local authority. If pleaded guilty, they could each face a maximum of over 20 years in jail.Seven Network's Commercial Manager of Programming John Fitzgerald is charged with falsifying invoices to steal company funds.Former At the Movies presenters Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton receive honorary doctorates from Macquarie University for their contribution to the film industry.Australian actor Jack Charles is racially discriminated against in Melbourne, where he is refused taxi admittance twice in a single day. Charles had experienced this same form of racial prejudice in October 2015.16Journalist and broadcaster Stan Grant is appointed to the federal government's Referendum Council.20The 60 Minutes crew are released from Lebanese custody, with the personal charges against them dropped and Nine Network paying compensation for their release. However, they still face criminal charges.21Network Ten report a first half profit of $13.4 million – the first time in four years they have reported a rise in profit.22Commercial broadcasters Network Ten, Nine Network and Seven Network announce the launch of a new joint venture marketing company called Think TV which aims to persuade advertisers to continue to invest in free-to-air television.Legendary Australian broadcaster David Hill is honoured at the New York Festival with a Lifetime Achievement Award.27Senior Constable Aaron Minns, who formerly appeared on Gold Coast Cops, pleads not guilty to four counts of common assault.28In a landmark decision, the NSW Supreme Court ruled in favor of Nine Network over WIN Network in relation to Nine's online streaming of its metropolitan stations into WIN regions. The judge found streaming to not fall under the definition of broadcasting.A number of WIN Network Tasmania personnel are recognised at the Tasmanian Media Awards – namely sports reporter Brent Costelloe and cameraman Steve Fisher who won in the Best Sports Journalist and Best News Image categories respectively.29Nine Entertainment Co. ends a 27-year affiliation agreement with WIN Corporation, instead partnering with Southern Cross Austereo in parts of regional Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, after securing a 50% revenue sharing deal with Southern Cross, higher than its 39% deal with WIN.
May Date Event Source3The 2016 Australian federal budget gives commercial broadcasters receive a 25% reduction in licence fees, while renewed tri-annual funding arrangements will see the ABC receive $3.1 billion and SBS $814 million over the next three years. 6Home and Away director Geoffrey Nottage is awarded the Australian Directors Guild Awards' The Michael Carson Award.8The Logie Awards of 2016 are held, with Waleed Aly winning the Gold Logie and Noni Hazlehurst inducted into the Hall of Fame. 15Former The X Factor winner Dami Im comes second in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.20Network Ten renew their affiliation agreement with Southern Cross Ten for Northern New South Wales for an additional five years. The new agreement begins 1 July 2016.29For the first time in the history of the Australian Directors Guild Awards the ceremony is broadcast on television, airing on Aurora.
June Date Event Source1Studio 10 is found to have breached its PG classification in a January episode.2Former ABC boss Mark Scott accepts role as head of the NSW Department of Education.7flix changes from broadcasting in MPEG4 format to MPEG2, increasing its availability on older television sets.15Seven decides not to proceed with program The Day the Cash Came, just a week before similar format The Briefcase premiered on Nine.21SBS closes its internal international sales division28Seven News US bureau chief Mike Amor is named television journalist of the year at the 58th Southern California Journalism Awards30A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw marks 35 years at the Nine Network.
July Date Event Source3Luke and Cody are named winners of the fourth season of House Rules.4Seven News launch a Gold Coast bulletin. Its debut wins its timeslot with 49,000 viewers, defeating long-standing rival bulletin Nine Gold Coast News with 34,000 viewers.6Catalyst presenter Maryanne Demasi is suspended, following an internal review of a February episode of the program found it breached impartiality standards.10Alfie Arcuri wins the fifth season of The Voice.
August