1997 in Australian television

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Events

• 6 January - Rob Elliott takes over from Tony Barber as host of Wheel Of Fortune. The programme starts 1997 without Adriana Xenides as she takes long term leave as letter turner, she returns 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 previously held by David Day in Adelaide, and Ron E Sparkes in Sydney.
• 1 July - Prime Television comes to Mildura, ending a monopoly on commercial television held by STV-8 since 1965.
• 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.
• 11 July - Canadian children's animated series Arthur debuts on ABC.
• 11 October - In Neighbours, Helen Daniels dies in her sleep at a family get together. The last ever of the original cast members Anne Haddy departs the series, she died two years later after an illness.
• 1 November - TCN-9 stages the first trial of digital television in the Southern Hemisphere.
• 1 December - American animated comedy series South Park airs on SBS. It also became the network's highest rating series to date.
• The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales is broadcast live on all ABC and commercial free-to-air television channels.

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

Program	Channel	Debut date
The Wayne Manifesto	ABC TV	2 June
Magic Mountain	ABC TV	3 June
Plasmo	ABC TV	4 June
Swinging	ABC TV	10 September
Kitu and Woofl	ABC TV	6 October
Plucka's Place	Nine Network	1997
The Gift	Nine Network ABC TV	1997

International

Program	Channel	Debut date
Oakie Doke	ABC TV	13 January
Billy the Cat	ABC TV	24 January
Hey Arnold!	ABC TV	8 July
Arthur	ABC TV	11 July
Spin City	Nine Network	15 July
The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat	ABC TV	13 August
The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends	ABC TV	29 September
Little Bear	ABC TV	16 October
South Park	SBS TV	1 December
Small Stories	ABC TV	15 December
Quack Pack	Seven Network	1997
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective	Nine Network	1997
Dexter's Laboratory	Seven Network	1997
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest	Seven Network	1997
The Magical Adventures of Quasimodo	Seven Network	1997
Dragon Flyz	Network Ten	1997

Subscription Television

International

Program	Channel	Debut date
The Real World	MTV	April

Television shows

ABC

• Mr. Squiggle and Friends (1959–1999)
• Four Corners (1961–present)

Seven Network

• Wheel of Fortune (1981–1996, 1996–2003, 2004–2008)
• Home and Away (1988–present)
• Blue Heelers (1994–2006)
• The Great Outdoors (1993–present)
• Today Tonight (1995–present)

Nine Network

• Today (1982–present)
• Sale of the Century (1980–2001)
• A Current Affair (1971–1978, 1988–present)
• Hey Hey It's Saturday (1971–1999)
• Midday (1973–1998)
• 60 Minutes (1979–present)
• Australia's Funniest Home Video Show (1990–2000, 2000–2004, 2005–present)
• The AFL Footy Show (1994–present)
• The NRL Footy Show (1994–present)
• Water Rats (1996–2001)
• Burgo's Catch Phrase (1997–2001, 2002–2003)
• The Price is Right (1993–1998)

Network Ten

• Neighbours (Seven Network 1985, Network Ten 1986–present)
• GMA with Bert Newton (1991–2005)

Ending / Resting this year

Date	Show	Channel	Debut
19 May 1997	Frontline	ABC TV	9 May 1994
15 September 1997	Full Frontal	Channel Seven	13 May 1993
19 December 1997	Agro's Cartoon Connection	Channel Seven	1989