TV (1960s-2000s)

Origins of TV in Australia:

In 1926, John Logie Baird from England demonstrated a true television system by
electrically transmitting moving pictures.

Two years later, television broadcasts commenced in America, followed by Britain in

1936.

It was not until the late 1940s that steps were made to introduce television into
Australia.

Launched in Australia on September 1956

Major impact on our daily lives. Average Australian watches 3hrs worth of TV

The first words ever spoken on Australian TV was by Bruce Gyngell with the words,
Good Evening, and welcome to television.

Overseas Influence on Television:

Heavily Influenced by America and Britain

Top 10 programmes were American in 1960
83% of shows were American in 1960
BBC was formed

Government imposed quota

Communication Technology Advancement

During the Post-War period, technology was dramatically evolving

Satellites enabled television stations to transmit their programs across a wider area
than previous ground based modes of broadcast, revolutionizing both the news
production and television entertainment industries.

To broadcast a television program in several cities in the 1950s, a tape of the program
would have been hand-delivered from one city to another

Satellite technology, however, allowed programs to be broadcast simultaneously to

many cities in Australia, or even to other countries.

News stories and programs could also be shared between capital cities.

Australias Contribution to Pop Culture

Television showed Australias cultural identity

Skippy the Bush Kangaroo Late 1960s
Prisoner 1980
Neighbours and Home & Away 1980s - 1990s
The Chasers War On Everything 2007

The Wiggles

Overseas Developments on Australian Television

World War 2
Australian television moved away from British influence towards America.
Magnitude of American Television forced Australian made television to be made
rapidly.

Acting Styles were also an influence on many Australian actors.

Nature of Australian Pop Culture Today

Australian television is dominated by American shows

Some Australian made shows have been made popular e.g. Love Child, Home and Away,
My Kitchen Rules etc.
Reality television is most common Australian made show today

Sport

Legacy of Past Influences

Many well-known Australian television stars that became famous in the US and UK left
behind legacies.
- Kerry Packer, The Wiggles, Kylie Minogue, Bert Newton, Don Lane, Steve Irwin and
Dame Edna.