It was first awarded at the 3rd Annual TV Week Logie Awards ceremony , held in 1961 when the award was originally called '' ' Most Popular Program ' '' . This award category was eliminated in 1966 and replaced by the Most Popular Live Show category . It was reintroduced in 1968 and renamed '' ' Best Show ' '' . Over the years , this category has also been known as '' ' Best Local Show ' '' ( 1970 ) , '' ' Most Popular Show ' '' ( 1971 , 1973 – 1985 ) , '' ' Most Popular Series ' '' ( 1993 – 1997 ) and '' ' Most Popular Australian Program ' '' ( 2003 – 2004 )
3rd Annual TV Week Logie Awards
Logie Awards of 1961
Logie Award for Most Popular Australian Program