With summer about to hit, Foxtel has revealed its upcoming slate of programming with the hottest new dramas, high-stakes reality and some of the most anticipated returning series leading the way.
Foxtel will also be offering a range of programming stunts to keep viewers entertained over summer, including 25 Days of Drama featuring all the most-watched local and international drama series from the past year on Foxtel; and The Monarchy: A Major Royal Event that will showcase a range of royal-themed programming across December.
Foxtel’s Director of Channels, Stephen Baldwin, said: “This summer there’s never been a better time to have Foxtel. While others take a break, our programming isn’t going on holidays with a wide range of new and returning series across entertainment, factual and lifestyle. Our movie line-up is especially designed for summer with pop up channels and blockbusters titles, and viewers will also be treated to a huge array of live sport, music specials and kids programming.”
Headlining Foxtel’s schedule this summer are a number of new and exclusive dramas already making waves overseas including UK drama from BAFTA-winning writer Kay Mellor, Loves, Lies & Records (December 16 on BBC First); US crime drama S.W.A.T. (January 14 on FOX8) starring Shemar Moore and Australian Alex Russell; the epic new historical drama Britannia (January 22 on showcase) from award-winning writer Jez Butterworth; and Steven Soderbergh’s murder-mystery, Mosaic, starring Beau Bridges and Sharon Stone (January 24 on showcase).
Returning drama series include the second season of showcase’s Divorce (January 16), as well as the seventh seasons of popular BBC First drama, Call the Midwife (January) and Universal Channel’s long running legal drama, Suits (Express in January).
Foxtel’s summer dramas will be complimented with a slate of red-hot reality programming. Kicking off on December 6, The Real Housewives of Melbourne returns for a fourth season on Arena with more outrageous accusations, scandalous gossip and jaw-dropping surprises. Arena will also premiere Vanderpump Rules S6 (December 5); The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills S8 (December 20); and a new series featuring Real Housewives of New York’s Bethenny Frankel and Million Dollar Listing’s Frederick Eklund, Bethenny and Frederick Flip Manhattan (January 21).
FOX8 will premiere two new survival reality series: Kicking & Screaming (December 12) teams 10 expert survivalists with pampered partners as they face the toughest challenge of their lives – dropped into a tropical jungle in Fiji, they must overcome dangerous animals, raging rivers, hunger and extreme weather. Hunted (December 13) follows nine teams of two in a real-life manhunt. Contestants attempt the nearly impossible task of disappearing in today’s vast digital world as highly skilled investigators combine state-of-the-art tracking methods with traditional tactics to pursue and catch them.
Those after a laugh can tune in to The Slot (December 14 on The Comedy Channel). From the makers of cutting-edge comedies We Can Be Heroes, Open Slather and Summer Heights High, The Slot features a stellar line-up of comedy talent who between them have amassed billions of online views with their captivating, weird and at times absurd style of comedy.
Lifestyle lovers are in for a feast this summer with the premiere of Lifestyle FOOD’s Nigella: At My Table on December 6, as well as the highly anticipated third season of The Great Australian Bake Off returning on January 16. Also returning in January is Grand Designs Australia S7, hosted by Peter Maddison (January 11 on Lifestyle).
On the factual front, Matt Wright is back for a third season of Outback Wrangler (December 6 on National Geographic) as he sweeps across Australia risking his life in the relocation and conservation of giant crocs; and acclaimed international archaeologist and historian Neil Oliver returns for another epic voyage of discovery in the second season of Coast New Zealand (January 8 on HISTORY).
Crime buffs will be captivated by Elizabeth Smart: Autobiography (January 24 on crime + investigation) – a two-part special about the infamous abduction and ultimate rescue of Elizabeth Smart. And of course it wouldn’t be summer without Shark Week! Hosted by Andrew ‘ET’ Ettingshausen, this long-running event will air around the clock from December 7 and is loaded with documentaries from Australia and around the globe.
Those wanting to kick back to some summer beats have plenty to choose from, including highlights from this summer’s first [V] Island Party in which musical festival favourites PNAU hit the decks (December 2); and 24K Magic: Live at the Apollo, an electrifying hour-long special featuring Grammy Award-winning Bruno Mars and his band, the Hooligans, performing atop New York’s famous Apollo Theatre marquee (December 9 on [V]).
When the heat gets too much, movie lovers can bunker down with a series of exciting pop up channels on Foxtel Movies. Best of 2017 will kick off from December 30 and feature stand-out films from the past year; Heath Ledger will remember the work of the Australian acting legend from January 19 in the lead up to the 10th anniversary of his death; and Aussies in Hollywood will celebrate 20 of Australia’s most powerful Hollywood heavyweights over the Australia Day long weekend.
There’s even plenty for the kids, who won’t complain about being bored these holidays thanks to Summer Belongs to You – Disney’s Summer of Movies Stunt. Every night in January, Disney will air a Disney Channel Original Movie, with titles including Cheetah Girls, Camp Rock, Descendants, Teen Beach and High School Musical.
Of course sport is what defines an Australian summer and this year doesn’t disappoint. The Hyundai A-League and the Westfield W-League continue on FOX SPORTS throughout December and January; and the fast and furious HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series launches on December 1 on FOX SPORTS, with the action returning to Sydney over the Australia Day long weekend.
Basketball fans can enjoy some stellar action with five NBA games broadcast live and back to back on ESPN/ESPN2 on Boxing Day, while the NBL and WNBL continues on FOX SPORTS over summer. And don’t miss Australia’s WBO World Welterweight Champion, Jeff Horn, as he makes his first title defence against hard-hitting Englishman Gary Corcoran on December 13 in Brisbane, with all the action of Horn v Hellraiser on Main Event.
Programming listed below
Drama
25 DAYS OF DRAMA From December 1
Relive all the drama of 2017 with the most watched series from the past year on Foxtel screening on BoxSets and selected channels from December 1 in the lead up to Christmas. Over 25 days binge on full seasons of award-winning dramas including Big Little Lies, The Night Of, Game of Thrones and Westworld from HBO, local hits Wentworth, A Place to Call Home, The Kettering Incident, and Top of The Lake: China Girl, in addition to The Walking Dead, Outlander, Ray Donovan, The Affair, Mr Robot, Taboo, SS:GB, Suits, Harley and The Davidsons, Vera, The Shannara Chronicles and many more on showcase, Discovery, BBC First, 13th Street, SyFy, FX and Universal. The majority of these first rate drama series will also be available to watch On Demand on both Foxtel and Foxtel Now.
TOTEM (HBO Special) Premieres Sunday December 10 at 8.30pm on showcase
After the death of his wife, a father invites his new girlfriend to move in with him and his two daughters. Both daughters have trouble adjusting to this change but things get scary when a necklace brings about a series of unexplained occurrences and we learn that something mysterious tormented the girls’ mother before her death. In an effort to explain the incidents surrounding the necklace, one of the daughters comes across a book about “totems,” physical objects that tie spirits to the real world, and looks for a way to use the necklace to control the presence in her house. Stars Keris Dorsey, Ahna O’Reilly, James Tupper, Lia McHugh.
LOVES, LIES & RECORDS Saturday December 16 at 7.30pm on BBC First
From BAFTA award-winning writer Kay Mellor comes Loves, Lies & Records, a new BBC First drama series that follows Registrar Kate Dickenson (Ashley Jensen) as she tries to juggle her personal life with the daily dramas of births, marriages and deaths, and the impact they have on her. After a dream promotion to the top job of Superintendent, Kate finds herself increasingly torn by the endless responsibilities of being a modern working mother. Her daughter’s hiding suspicious messages on her mobile, her son hates her because she’s brought him the wrong trainers, and now her stepson has turned up unannounced to stay. As Kate tries to hold her work, life and relationship together, things go from complicated to impossible when a disgruntled colleague threatens to expose a secret from her past. The series explores how women in particular have to juggle their lives. Kate has reached the top of her profession but with everything she’s worked for in jeopardy, can she sustain herself when it’s not just her job that’s on the line.
LIKE. SHARE. FOLLOW (HBO Special) Premieres Sunday December 31 at 8.30pm on showcase
From “Horror King” Jason Blum, this thrilling film about the dangers of the digital age, and the risks we take when we put our entire lives online, follows YouTube sensation Garrett (Keiynan Lonsdale) and an obsessive superfan-turned- stalker (Ema Horvath) who will stop at nothing to get close to him.
S.W.A.T. Premieres Sunday January 14 at 8.30pm on FOX8
New US crime drama S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds) as a locally born and raised S.W.A.T. sergeant newly tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles. Torn between loyalty to where he was raised and allegiance to his brothers in blue, former Marine Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson has everything it takes to be an excellent leader and bridge the divide between his two worlds. Hondo’s elite unit includes David “Deacon” Kay (Jay Harrington), an experienced S.W.A.T. officer who always puts the team first, despite feeling overlooked for the lead job; Jim Street (Alex Russell), a cocky but promising new member of the group; Christina “Chris” Alonso (Lina Esco), a skilled officer and the team’s canine trainer; and Dominique Luca (Kenny Johnson), an expert driver who gets them in and out of high risk situations. Overseeing the unit is Jessica Cortez (Stephanie Sigman), the captain of L.A. Metro who values her job above all else, including her off-the-books relations with Hondo.
DIVORCE Season 2 Premieres Tuesday Jan 16 at 9.30pm on showcase
The second season of the popular dark comedy drama series Divorce, about the lows and lowers of divorce, comes to showcase in 2018. Created by Emmy Award-winner Sharon Horgan (creator and star of Catastrophe), Divorce centres on a couple going through a long, drawn-out divorce. The hit series features a stellar cast: Sex and the City’s Sarah Jessica Parker as Frances, a woman who, after suddenly reassessing her life and her marriage, finds that making a clean break and fresh start is harder than she thought; Thomas Haden Church as Robert, Frances’ husband; Molly Shannon as Diane, Frances’ highly-strung friend and Talia Balsam plays Dallas, a close friend of Frances’. Filmed on location in New York, the second season of Divorce continues to chronicle the demise of a long marriage in this brutally frank portrayal of a romantic relationship in decline.
BRITANNIA Premieres Monday January 22 at 8.30pm on showcase
David Morrissey (The Walking Dead) and Kelly Reilly (True Detective) star in an epic and cinematic new nine-part drama from award-winning writer Jez Butterworth (Spectre, Jerusalem). When the Romans invade Britain in 43AD, Kerra (Reilly), daughter of the King of the Cantii, is forced to put her differences aside with arch-rival Queen Antedia (Wanamaker) to face their invaders. The Romans, led by General Aulus Plautius (Morrissey), are determined to succeed where Julius Caesar failed and conquer this mythical land at the far edge of the Roman Empire. Aulus is a strong and resilient leader, but harbours a deep secret that threatens his mission. As tribes and Druids unite to fight the Romans, Kerra is thrust into the most important role of her life as she spearheads the resistance against the might of the Roman army.
MOSAIC Premieres Wednesday January 24 at 8.30pm on showcase
Produced and directed by Steven Soderbergh, the brand new 6-part HBO series Mosaic is an exciting new storytelling experience set to push television boundaries like never before. This thrilling murder mystery stars Beau Bridges, Sharon Stone and Garrett Hedlund.
CALL THE MIDWIFE Season 7 Premiering in January on BBC First
This hugely successful drama returns with more laughs, tears and inspiring stories from the nurses and nuns of Nonnatus House. The year is 1963, and the midwives find themselves tested both personally and professionally as never before. Together, they face challenging issues including leprosy, stroke and Huntington’s disease, all while fighting their own personal battles. Nurse Crane finds her authority questioned from an unexpected quarter, Sister Monica Joan is forced to accept her failing faculties, and the much-loved characters are joined by West Indian midwife Lucille Anderson – a funny and clever nurse who brings a fresh burst of energy to life at Nonnatus House. Stars Jenny Agutter, Judy Parfitt and Helen George.
SUITS Season 7B Premiering in January 2018 on Universal Channel, Express
Suits began when legendary hotshot lawyer Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) took a gamble by hiring Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a brilliant, but not-so-legitimate college dropout, as an associate in his prolific Manhattan corporate law firm, Pearson Specter Litt. Six seasons later, their journey together has been anything but easy – Mike was accused of and admitted to his fraud, went to prison, secured an early release and then fought to be recognized by the Bar as an official lawyer. Beginning with a clean slate in Season 7, Suits will see the entire group back together again at Pearson Specter Litt each dealing with their own struggles: Harvey finally stepping up at the firm following Jessica’s (Gina Torres) departure; Mike balancing pro bono work versus corporate cases; Harvey’s secretary Donna (Sarah Rafferty) striving for more out of life; former paralegal Rachel (Meghan Markle) officially becoming a lawyer and possibly a wife; and co-managing partner, Louis (Rick Hoffman), dealing with the aftermath of a broken heart.
GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT
VANDERPUMP RULES Season 6 Premieres Tuesday December 5 at 1.35pm on Arena (encore at 8.30pm)
LA’s most infamous restaurateur, Lisa Vanderpump, returns for a sixth season of Vanderpump Rules airing express from the US, followed by a prime time screening that evening at 8.30pm. In the new season, Lisa will forge ahead with plans to add another restaurant to her growing empire, but when new partners Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz show their inexperience, the veteran queen of hospitality will butt heads every step of the way.
THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF MELBOURNE Season 4 Premieres Wednesday December 6 at 8.30pm on Arena
They’re bold, they’re brassy and they’re back! The Melbourne Housewives return for another season with more outrageous accusations, scandalous gossip, bigger bling and jaw-dropping surprises along the way. The Arena show, now in its 4th season, has become an international success, airing in NZ, and as far as USA and Europe. This year, the ladies are joined by former magazine editor and homewares queen, Sally Bloomfield and glamorous lawyer and friend of Gina Liano, Venus Behbahani. Watch them shake things up, rattle the jewellery and roll with the punches as they’re thrown deep into the diamond-cladded ring of the Melbourne Housewives! The series is once again produced by Matchbox Pictures in conjunction with Foxtel.
KICKING & SCREAMING Premieres Tuesday December 12 at 8.30pm on FOX8
KICKING & SCREAMING is a new competition series that teams 10 expert survivalists with pampered partners to face the toughest challenges of their lives. Hosted by Hannah Simone, the series drops these unlikely duos into a tropical jungle in Fiji, where they must overcome dangerous animals, raging rivers, hunger and extreme weather. While these no-nonsense survivalists are accustomed to fending for themselves, there’s one thing for which none of their previous expeditions have prepared them: their nature-phobic partners, who think “glamping” is roughing it. To win the competition, and a cash prize of $500,000, the experts will have to drag their partners, KICKING & SCREAMING, to the finish line.
HUNTED Premieres Wednesday December 13 at 8.30pm on FOX8
Hunted follows nine teams of two in a real-life manhunt as they attempt the nearly impossible task of disappearing in today’s vast digital world as highly skilled investigators combine stateof-the-art tracking methods with traditional tactics to pursue and catch them. From searching their targets’ homes and scouring their internet and cell phone histories, to identifying behavioral patterns, Hunters in the field and Command Center investigators work together to identify clues to potential hiding places and collaborators that can ultimately lead to capture. Will the anxiety of being fugitives on the run cause teams to make a critical error, or will they be able to stay off the grid long enough to avoid being found within 100,000 square miles of the southeastern United States? A grand prize of $250,000 will be awarded to each team that successfully evades being caught for up to 28 days.
THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS Season 8 Wednesday December 20 at 1.35pm on Arena (encore at 9.30pm)
The outrageousness of Beverly Hills’ most cashed up women will continue when the ladies return for the eighth season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. After series star Eileen Davidson dramatically quit the show at the end of last season to focus on her ‘day job’ and spend more time with her family, the door has been left wide open for a new housewife to step in as the new side kick for one the Beverly Hills’ biggest trouble makers – Lisa Rina.
BETHENNY AND FREDERICK FLIP MANHATTAN Season 1 Sunday January 21 at 7.00pm on Arena
Bethenny has been Frederik’s client, and friend, but never his business partner… until now. The pair have big ambitions in the New York real estate game, but as they’re renovating a property together and hoping for a large profit, they also need to navigate the ups and downs of their personal relationships. Can they come together when it counts to prove that you can mix business with friendship? Featuring Real Housewives of New York City’s Bethenny Frankel and Million Dollar Listing’s Frederik Eklund.
AWARDS SHOWS
Foxtel is the home of Awards bringing viewers the best of the best from Television, Film, Music and the Arts. This summer, FOX8 will exclusively broadcast the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards (Monday January 8) at the same time as the US. And on Monday, January 22 at 12.00pm Foxtel Arts will air the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.
COMEDY
THE SLOT Premieres Thursday December 14 at 8.30pm on THE COMEDY CHANNEL
The Comedy Channel’s The Slot, hosted by Christiaan Van Vuuren (Bondi Hipsters) and Adele Vuko (Skit Box), is an original Foxtel series focused on producing and promoting emerging and experimental comedy from a new wave of Australian online creators. These talented innovators aren’t just pushing comedic boundaries, they’re smashing them. For almost a decade, they’ve been living in the shadows, whilst casually dominating the Internet. Between them they’ve amassed billions of views with their captivating, weird, hilarious and at times absurd comedy never before seen on TV. Until now. Hand-picked from around the country, The Slot showcases some of the best and brightest creators to bring you brand new originals, as well as some of the viral classics which made them famous.
MICHELLE WOLF: NICE LADY Saturday January 6 at 9.30pm on THE COMEDY CHANNEL
Comedian Michelle Wolf stars in her first HBO special – an hour of stand-up featuring her observations on feminism, dating and other social issues. Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady is directed by stand-up comedian and writer Neal Brennan, who is the co-creator of the hit series Chappelle’s Show and also a current contributor on The Daily Show.
LIFESTYLE
NIGELLA: AT MY TABLE Premieres Wednesday December 6 at 8.30pm on Lifestyle FOOD
Nigella: At My Table is a delicious celebration of home cooking, the food that makes people feel happy and welcome as they sit around your table. Nigella shares the food she cooks for family and friends, from fresh takes on classics she has evolved over time, to colourful dishes with vibrant flavours coming out of mixing ingredients from many different cultures to bring something new to everyday eating. Creating dishes as mouth-watering and inventive as ever, Nigella shows us those special shortcuts that make life easier without sacrificing taste, and ensuring that you can spend precious time with family and friends – at your table.
GRAND DESIGNS AUSTRALIA Season 7b Premieres Thursday January 11 at 8.30pm on Lifestyle
Australia’s love for all things property is celebrated in this highly-respected series that follows the development of the country’s most ambitious architectural projects, from concept, design, materials and technology to logistics, timelines, budgets and personalities. The top-rating Grand Designs Australia, hosted by leading Australian architect Peter Maddison, once again brings the characters, the houses and the stories together in an insightful season of inspiration and appreciation when the seventh series returns. The all-Australian version of the phenomenally successful global format travels the country showcasing the challenges of construction, the diversity of modern architecture, and the people who create it. Grand Designs Australia is produced by FremantleMedia Australia, exclusively for Foxtel’s Lifestyle.
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN BAKE OFF Season 3 Premieres Tuesday January 16 at 8.30pm on Lifestyle Food
On your marks, get set… bake! Judged by culinary icon Maggie Beer and acclaimed chef Matt Moran, and hosted by comedians Claire Hooper and Mel Buttle, the third season of The Great Australian Bake Off will return to Lifestyle FOOD in January. The 10-part series follows 12 home-baking enthusiasts as they take on a series of intricate challenges, baking a mouthwatering selection of cakes, pies, tarts, pastries, bread, biscuits and desserts, all in the hope of being crowned Australia’s best home baker. The Great Australian Bake Off is a FremantleMedia Australia production for Foxtel based on a format created by Love Productions and distributed by BBC Worldwide.
FACTUAL
OUTBACK WRANGLER Season 3 Premieres Wednesday December 6 at 8.30pm on National Geographic
In the dramatic scenery of Australia’s Northern Territory the saltwater crocodile population has been protected for over 40 years. The crocodiles have had time to grow. But the bigger they come, the greater the need to protect these magnificent predators from human encounters. Helicopter pilot turned animal rescuer, Matt Wright, returns to National Geographic with Season 3 of Outback Wrangler, in which every episode sees Matt Wright and his mates Jono and Willow catch at least one monster croc. It’s dangerous work given crocs have the highest recorded bite force of any animal on earth. Due to premiere first in the world in Australia in December 2017 (and then across 130 territories in 2018), the eight-episode series follows Matt and his companions as they sweep across Australia risking life to ensure that wildlife and locals are safe in the relocation and conservation of giant crocs.
SHARK WEEK Premieres Thursday December 7 at 7.30pm on Discovery Channel
Summer means Shark Week! Subscription Television’s longest-running and most anticipated annual event, returns for its 22nd year! Dedicated to these magnificent creatures, the 24/7 event is loaded with documentaries that you can really sink your teeth into. Shark Week, hosted by Andrew ‘ET’ Ettingshausen, reveals the threats sharks face from humans and the environment and highlights recent developments in shark science. Featuring some of the world’s most respected marine biologists, researchers and science institutions, you’ll be glued to the edge of your seat with all-new jaw-dropping and compelling shark stories from Australia and around the globe. From the main players, Great Whites, Tiger sharks, Reef Sharks and Makos, to rare and mysterious sharks like the Oceanic Whitetip and Goblins, get up close and personal with the ocean’s greatest predators all from the safety of your couch. It’s gonna be jawsome!
COAST NZ Season 2 Premieres Monday January 8 at 7.30pm on HISTORY
Acclaimed international archaeologist and historian Neil Oliver returns to Foxtel for another epic voyage of discovery in the second season of Coast New Zealand. Uncovering stories spanning over 16,000 kilometres of New Zealand’s coastline, in a country that was forged in the furnace of earthly forces, mega earthquakes, marauding glaciers and furious volcanoes, Coast New Zealand offers a fascinating insight into the country’s past and present, telling the story of the formation and evolution of New Zealand, its people and its culture. Throughout the 6 x 60 minute series, host Neil Oliver leads a local team of co-presenters on the journey, all leading experts in their field: Dr Hamish Campbell, renowned geologist and palaeontologist; Matt Carter, one of the leading diving maritime archaeologists in Australasia; marine biologist and actress Jacky Geurts; and Riria Hotere, an actress and passionate former staff member of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa.
ELIZABETH SMART: AUTOBIOGRAPHY Premieres Wednesday January 24 at 9.30pm
In this 2x90minute special, Elizabeth Smart explains her story in her own words and provides previously untold details about her infamous abduction and nine-month nightmare in the grasps of her cruel captors. Now 29 years old, she shares the perspective she gained through the ordeal and how she has moved past it to focus on marriage, motherhood and advocating for others. Smart’s family, along with law enforcement involved with investigating the disappearance and eyewitnesses, reveal new information about the case and reflect on her remarkable recovery and perseverance.
MOVIES
Pop Up Movie Channel
2017 has been an enormously successful year for Foxtel Movies’ pop-up channels, providing customers with a series of hugely popular pop-ups screening throughout the year, including Star Wars, Bond, X-Men, Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit, The Bourne Collection, Arnie, Batman Vs Superman and Alien Vs Predator pop-ups. Continuing throughout summer Foxtel is pleased to announce a stellar line-up of brand new pop-up movie channels including The 12 Days of Christmas featuring classic Christmas films like Home Alone, The Santa Clause, Miracle on 34th Street, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Four Holidays, as well as The Best of 2017 with stand-out films from the past year including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Beauty and the Beast, Suicide Squad, Hacksaw Ridge, Lion, La La Land, Trolls, Moana, The Magnificent Seven, Sing, Hidden Figures, Batman V Superman and many more. In January, Foxtel Movies will remember the work of Australian acting legend Heath Ledger on the 10th anniversary of his death with a Heath Ledger pop up channel that will showcase his full body of work; as well as the Aussies in Hollywood pop up where twenty of Australia’s most powerful Hollywood heavyweights are celebrated over the Australia Day long weekend.
MUSIC
[V]’s ISLAND PARTY – PNAU Saturday December 2 at 12.00pm on [V]
This summer when the sun sets on [V] Island in the middle of the iconic Sydney Harbour, the coolest acts from around the globe will return to play live and exclusive for another legendary season of [V] Island Parties. Kicking off this year’s lineup of summer’s hottest gigs will be double ARIA Award nominees, PNAU. The music festival favourites will hit the decks on Monday November 27 for an unmissable set of their biggest hits from upcoming album Changa, including the triple platinum Chameleon and new summer anthem Go Bang. Highlights from their performance will be captured and replayed for [V] fans from midday on Saturday December 2.
MAESTRO SERIES: ANTHONY CALLEA ARIA NUMBER 1 HITS IN SYMPHONY WITH THE MSO Friday December 8 at 8.00pm on Foxtel ARTS
Acclaimed vocalist and Melbourne’s very own Anthony Callea will perform in a very special concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra live at Hamer Hall. Conducted by one of Melbourne’s top musical directors, John Foreman, Anthony will be performing iconic songs including Nothing Compares 2 U, Save the Best for Last, Jesus to a Child, Right Here Waiting and I swear amongst others alongside the MSO.
24K MAGIC: LIVE AT THE APOLLO Saturday December 9 at 12.00pm on [V] Encore on Thursday December 21 at 8.30pm on FOX8
After sweeping up a massive seven wins at the American Music Awards, Bruno Mars will be back on [V] screens for a one-off television special 24K Magic: Live at the Apollo. Featuring the GRAMMY® Award winner and his band, the Hooligans, the hour-long special takes place in New York city and showcases your favourite Bruno singles, plus never-before-seen footage of Mars and the Hooligans performing atop the famous Apollo Theatre marquee. Bruno will light up the Apollo marquee as he performs some of his most memorable, chart-topping hits. Plus, with unbeatable choreography and stage swagger, Mars and his band the Hooligans will take to the streets, visiting, singing, and entertaining locals in exciting, intimate, must-see moments.
REMEMBERING GEORGE MICHAEL MAX Tuesday December 26 at 9am on MAX – Encore at 8pm
He burst into our lives as the front man of Wham and taught us how to ‘Jitterbug’. He then continued to entertain us for over four decades! One year on from his passing, let’s celebrate the music of George Michael. Music Greats are never forgotten on MAX.
KIDS
SUMMER BELONGS TO YOU – DISNEY SUMMER OF MOVIES STUNT Starts January 1 at 5.30pm on Disney
Catch the Summer Feels on Disney Channel this January cause its movie night, every night at5:30pm! Watch all your fave Disney Channel Original Movies like Cheetah Girls, Camp Rock, Descendants 1 AND 2, Teen Beach, High School Musical and heaps, heaps more! Afraid of FOMO? You can relive all your favourite Disney Channel movie moments on the Foxtel Kids app.
THE THUNDERMANS MOVIE SPECIAL Friday 26th January at 5.30pm on Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon’s number one, hit live action show The Thundermans is celebrating summer with an epic one-hour movie special set in tropical Hawaii. When the Thunderman family heads to Hawaii for vacation, Pheobe accidentally absorbs the evil powers of Dark Mayhem and becomes determined to complete his plan for world domination. It’s up to the family to stop her and make sure Pheobe becomes herself again, before she takes over the world! Stars Kira Kosarin, Jack Griffo, Diego Velazquez and Addison Riecke.
Sport
RUGBY: HSBC WORLD RUGBY SEVENS SERIES 2017/18 From December 1 on FOX SPORTS
The fast and furious Sevens World Series launches in December, with the world’s best set to square off across two huge events throughout the month. It all kicks off across two actionpacked days as the Aussie men, led by Captain Sam Myers, and the Olympic gold-medal winning Aussie women, launch their campaigns. FOX SPORTS will showcase the men’s and women’s competitions LIVE, with no ad-breaks during play and in HD.
HORN v CORN Wednesday December 13 on Main Event
Australia’s WBO World Welterweight Champion, Jeff Horn, makes his first title defence against hard-hitting Englishman Gary Corcoran on December 13 in Brisbane. Knowns as “Hell Raiser”, Corcoran has 17 wins and one defeat to Horn’s 17 wins and one draw. Horn shocked the world in July when he beat boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and took his WBO belt in front of a sold-out crowd at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
2017/18 WESTFIELD W-LEAGUE Continues in December on FOX SPORTS
A jam-packed three weeks of football action kicks off from December 21, with 25 games in 25 days. Highlights include a Melbourne derby on December 23 and a massive double header featuring Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC v Perth Glory on December 30. Hosted by Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater, FOX SPORTS will deliver LIVE, ad-break free during play and HD coverage throughout December.
Other January highlights include Wanderers v Melbourne Victory on January 19, and a ‘big blue’ battle between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC on Australia Day. Hosted by Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater, FOX SPORTS will air every game of Australia’s premier domestic football competition LIVE, ad-break free during play and in HD.
BOXING DAY NBA December 26 from 4.00am on ESPN/ESPN2
Coverage of the National Basketball Association (NBA) continues LIVE on ESPN/ESPN2 in December, and there’s no better way to close out 2017 than with some stellar basketball action. Boxing Day will see 5 games broadcast live and back-to-back.
2017/18 HYUNDAI A-LEAGUE Continues in January on FOX SPORTS
The 2017/18 Hyundai A-League reaches its halfway mark in January, with a number of big time battles set to sort the pretenders from the contenders. It all kicks off on News Year’s Day, when Western Sydney Wanderers host the defending champions, Melbourne City.
