This is a list of Australian television-related events, debuts, finales, and cancellations that are scheduled to occur in 2017, the 62nd year of continuous operation of television in Australia.
Overview of the events of 2017 in Australian television
The ABC's coverage of Sydney New Year's Eve is mostly panned for the fourth consecutive year, described as "dull" and "tedious," with presenters Ella Hooper and Jeremy Fernandez forgetting to start the countdown.
Leaked video of Nine News Now presenter Amber Sherlock goes internationally viral after she insists colleague Julie Snook change to a different coloured outfit ahead of a segment.
The Seven Network airs the 2017 Australian Open – Men's singles final recording the highest ratings of a Men's final in 11 years, with 2.67 million metro viewers and 3.62 million total viewers. Channel Seven earned a 54.5% primetime viewing share.
MTV Australia and its sister channels, MTV Music, MTV Dance and MTV Classic, suspend broadcasting for a 12-hour period to get the channels' core audience to vote for marriage equality. During the suspension, MTV's test pattern displayed the Moonman holding the pride flag.
CBS Corporation announces its intent to purchase Network Ten, pending approval of the Foreign Investment Review Board. This comes two-and-a-half months after it went into voluntary administration. CBS had already maintained a long-term program and news-sharing agreement with Ten involving its namesake U.S. broadcast network, and was cited as a major creditor for Ten in the administration filing. In conjunction with the purchase, CBS Corporation also announces plans to launch an Australian version of its CBS All Access over-the-top service.
Criteria for inclusion in the following list is that Australian premiere episodes will air in Australia for the first time on a new channel. This includes when a program is moved from a free-to-air network's primary channel to a digital multi-channel, as well as when a program moves between subscription television channels – provided the preceding criteria is met. Ended television series which change networks for repeat broadcasts are not included in the list.
List of domestic television series which changed network affiliation
Program
Date
New network
Previous network
Source
List of international television programs which changed network affiliation
This is a list of programs which made their premiere on Australian free-to-air television that had previously premiered on Australian subscription television. Programs may still air on the original subscription television network.
List of international television programs which premiered on free-to-air television for the first time
Program
Date
Free-to-air network
Subscription network(s)
Country of origin
Source
Subscription premieres[]
This is a list of programs which made their debut on Australian subscription television, having previously premiered on Australian free-to-air television. Programs may still air (first or repeat) on the original free-to-air television network.
List of domestic television programs which premiered on subscription television for the first time
2 January — Auriel Andrew -(age 69), Indigenous Australian county music singer, appeared on numerous television shows including The Reg Lindsay show, as well as guest roles on Australian soaps like A Country Practice and Blue Heelers[53]
28 January — Sandy Gandhi, (age 58) Indian Australian comedian and newspaper columnist[55]
6 February — Ritchie Yorke (age 73), Music journalist, author, historian and broadcaster, contributed to numerous television documentary films, including John and Yoko's Year of Peace and wrote The Real Patsy Kline[56]
21 February — Joy Hruby (aged 89), actress, comedian, TV presenter, filmmaker, author and celebrity agent, with a career spanning over 50 years, best known as the hostess and interviewer on show Joys World on Community Television[57]
26 January — Fred Parslow (aged 84) Australian actor of television, film and theatre, appeared in The Sullivans, best known for film role in Alvin Purple and his long association with the Melbourne Theatre Company.[58]
3 March — Frances Hargreaves (age 62), South African born Australian actress, best known as comedy character of wayward teenager Marilyn McDonald, the daughter of Reg and Edie in Number 96.[59]
9 April – John Clarke (aged 68), New Zealand-born entertainer, portrayed character Fred Dagg, best known as an actor, comedian, writer and satirist in Australia[61]
31 May – Lyn James (aged 87), Welsh-born actress, who started her career in Britain, before emigrating to Australia and becoming best known for her role as Helen Gordon in The Young Doctors[64]
3 June- John K. Watts (aged 80) Australian Rules Footballer, radio and television presenter and personality[65]
20 October – Judith McGrath, (aged 70) Actress of theatre and television, best known for her roles in Prisoner, A Country Practice and All Saints as Von Ryan.