Television in Australia

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Television in Australia began experimentally as early as 1929 in Melbourne with radio stations 3DB and 3UZ, and 2UE in Sydney, using the Radiovision system by Gilbert Miles and Donald McDonald,[1][2][3] and later from other locations, such as Brisbane in 1934.[4][5]

Mainstream television was launched on 16 September 1956 in Willoughby, New South Wales, with Nine Network station TCN-9 Sydney. The new medium was introduced by advertising executive Bruce Gyngell with the words "Good evening, and welcome to television",[6] and has since seen the transition to colour and digital television.[7]

Bruce Gyngell re-enacts his introduction to the first regular television broadcast service to the residents of Sydney on TCN-9.

Local programs, over the years, have included a broad range of comedy, sport, and in particular drama series, in addition to news and current affairs. The industry is regulated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, through various legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice, which also regulates radio and in recent years has attempted to regulate the Internet.

  1. ^ "Australian TV – The First 25 Years", by Peter Bielby, page 173. ISBN 0-17-005998-7
  2. ^ Linking a Nation Chapter 9 – Australian Heritage Council
  3. ^ Peter Luck, 50 Years of Australian Television ISBN 1-74110-367-3 p. 15
  4. ^ "Birth of Our Nation". Brisbane Courier Mail. Archived from the original on 15 February 2008.
  5. ^ Carty, Bruce, On the Air: Australian Radio History, privately published, 2011, Gosford, NSW
  6. ^ McWhirter, Erin (5 September 2006). "Australia celebrates 50 years of television". News Limited. Retrieved 1 August 2007.
  7. ^ "Ready, Set, Go to Digital – A Digital Action Plan for Australia" (Press release). DCITA. 23 November 2008. Archived from the original on 5 September 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2007.