From Bruce Gyngell ushering in Australian TV with “Welcome to Television” on September 16, 1956, to laugh-out-loud comedy, unforgettable music moments and the live sporting victories that united a nation, 70 Years of Television will take viewers on a nostalgic journey through seven decades of Australian TV history.
Over two unmissable nights, this landmark retrospective will feature interviews and archival footage to look back at the triumphs, scandals and defining screen moments that captured generations across variety, news, current affairs, sport, reality and drama.
Bringing together an all-star lineup of Australia’s biggest names and legendary personalities, 70 Years of Television includes Hamish Blake, Julia Morris, Tracy Grimshaw, David Koch, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Patti Newton, Ray Martin, Catriona Rowntree, Sigrid Thornton and Ken Sutcliffe, who share their personal reflections and memories.
The special covers every corner of the TV landscape. Episode one charts the evolution of Australian television – from how “the box” became the centrepiece of the living room, to classic variety stars like Graham Kennedy and Bert Newton, and our distinct Aussie sense of humour that shone through in shows like The Comedy Company, Kath & Kim and Summer Heights High.
It revisits the music shows that soundtracked generations (Bandstand, Countdown, MTV and Rage), reflects on the trusted news anchors who guided us through major historical moments, dives into the birth of breakfast television and the “Morning Wars”, and relives the fabulous sporting victories – like Cathy Freeman’s historic 400m gold medal at the Sydney Olympics – that brought the entire country together.
The celebration continues in episode two, showcasing the full spectrum of Australia’s most loved programs that defined our screen culture. It looks back at the golden age of kids TV – from nostalgic classics like Mr Squiggle and Agro, to the global phenomenon of Bluey, alongside variety favourites like Hey Hey It’s Saturday and the evolution of the game show, from Sale of the Century to Tipping Point.
It honours the legacy of hard-hitting current affairs built on trust and accountability, alongside the classic advertising jingles we still can’t stop quoting. Viewers will also revisit the lifestyle staples that transformed our homes (Changing Rooms, Backyard Blitz), the explosive reality TV clashes and format fusions we couldn’t look away from (Big Brother, The Block, MAFS), and the timeless dramas like Blue Heelers and McLeod’s Daughters that won our hearts.
70 Years of Television is a production by Nine’s Long-form Unit.
Wednesday, September 9, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8.45pm on Channel 9 and 9Now,
