2009 in Australian television
Introduction This is a list of '''Australian television events and premieres which occurred in 2009'''. The year 2009 is the 54th year of continuous operation of television in Australia. It also marks the introduction of digital multichannels for the three commercial television networks (the Seven Network, the Nine Network and Network Ten), which were each able to launch an alternate standard-definition digital channel, separate from their primary channels, from 1 January. Network Ten launched their channel, One (later known today as 10 Bold), on 26 March, whilst the Nine Network launched kids and movies channel GO! (later known today as 9Go!) on 9 August, and the Seven Network launched catch-up channel 7Two on 1 November.
Events * '''10 January''' – Peter Overton replaces Mark Ferguson as the anchor of Nine's 6:00 pm news bulletin in Sydney. * '''31 January''' – After being pulled by the Nine Network in 2008, ''McLeod's Daughters'' airs its final episode to a total viewership of 576,000. * '''7–14 February''' – All three commercial networks in Australia take major expensive news coverage of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires, in which 181 people lost their lives, including former Nine newsreader Brian Naylor and actor Reg Evans. * '''9 February''' – The premiere of ''Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities'' sets the ratings record of the highest-rating Australian television series launch since the introduction of the OzTAM people meter system in 2001.The launch attracted 2.58 million viewers, and is also the highest rating non-sporting program in television history. * '''26 March''' – One HD launches. * '''20 April''' – After a mini-term absence, ''Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'' returns to Nine with the newly launched title ''Hot Seat'' which launches in its 5.30pm. A few years later, ''Hot Seat'' overtook ''Deal or No Deal'''s lead-in the 5:30pm quiz-show battle in the lead-in to the 6pm news with Nine News regaining the lead nationally. * '''22 April''' – 15-year-old opera singer Mark Vincent wins the third season of ''Australia's Got Talent''. * '''26 April''' – Talia Fowler wins the second season of ''So You Think You Can Dance Australia''. * '''3 May''' – Rebecca Gibney wins the Gold Logie Award for the Most Popular Personality on Australian Television at the 2009 Logie Awards. * '''10 May''' – After protest in very bad ratings, ''Australian Idol'' decides to cancel its ''Monday Night Live Verdict'' show. The show becomes a Sunday night staple. Later in the year the show has landed up a whole year of poor ratings. The year ended when 19-year-old Stan Walker taking the title as the final series winner with Sony Music Australia defeating Hayley Warner. ''Idol'' was axed in January the following year. * '''12 May''' – The ABC receives an extra $136.4 million over three years from the 2009 federal budget to develop an advertising-free digital children's channel (ABC3), and increase its production of local drama to 90 hours a year, a similar level to the amount required by the commercial networks. The budget also allocated SBS an extra $20 million over the same period to produce up tp 50 hours of new Australian content each year. This figure is significantly below the extra $70 million SBS were seeking per year. * '''13 May''' – Former rugby league footballer and ''The NRL Footy Show'' presenter, Matthew Johns, is suspended indefinitely from the program by the Nine Network following reports of his involvement in a group sex act with other Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks players in 2002.The incident was first reported on ABC1's current affairs program, ''Four Corners'', on 11 May 2009. * '''18 May''' – It is revealed that Ajay Rochester will no longer be host of Channel Ten's ''The Biggest Loser'', a position she has held since the series began in 2006, due to her desire to pursue new interests. Alison Braun, the runner-up of the show's third season, is believed to be one of the front-runners to be the new host. * '''3 June''' – A skit involving terminally ill children and the fictional 'Make a Realistic Wish Foundation' (a parody of the Make-a-Wish Foundation) causes public outrage after airing on an episode of ''The Chaser's War on Everything'' on ABC1.The skit involved The Chaser members Chris Taylor (as the foundation spokesperson) and Andrew Hansen (as a doctor). The premise of the skit was that if the terminally ill children are only going to live for a few more months before dying, it is not worth spending money on lavish gifts for them. It portrayed the children asking for extravagant items such as a trip to Disneyland and the chance to meet Zac Efron, with Taylor and Hansen instead giving them a pencil case and a stick respectively. The skit concluded with Taylor stating "Why go to any trouble, when they're only gonna die anyway". Following public criticism of the skit, both The Chaser and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation issued statements of apology. The ABC subsequently suspended the series for two weeks following the controversy. The series will return on 24 June. * '''8 June''' – Gordon Ramsay called Tracy Grimshaw 'a pig' in an interview for ''A Current Affair''. Also on 8 June, Barry Soraghan becomes the first person to miss the final question on ''Millionaire Hot Seat''. * '''10 June''' – The Nine Network announces the third series of ''Underbelly'' will be titled ''Underbelly: The Golden Mile'', and would focus on Kings Cross in Sydney, beginning in 1989, and also include the Wood Royal Commission into police corruption. * '''20 June''' – After getting into big trouble about scrapping the rights to Warner Bros., the Nine Network's proposed new channel becomes a light-entertainment channel for younger people, dropping Light Entertainment, Retro, Variety and Lifestyle from taking part (didn't use until GEM launched the following year). GO! was officially launched 9 August to become "Australia No. 1 digital channel". * '''26 June''' – ''Nine News'' takes major expensive coverage about the deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. Also, The final edition of ''Extra'' presented by Heather Foord goes to air in Brisbane and Bruce Paige presents his final weeknight bulletin on ''Nine News Queensland''; he is replaced the following Monday by Andrew Lofthouse, who along with Melissa Downes remain in their roles as of today. * '''19 July''' – A 38-year-old mother of three, Julie Goodwin wins the first series of ''MasterChef Australia'', beating 35-year-old artist Poh Ling Yeow, with the Grand Final recorded the ratings over 3 million people tuning in. * '''6 September''' – Country singer Adam Brand and his partner Jade Hatcher win the ninth season of ''Dancing with the Stars''. * '''25 September''' – Mark Ferguson presents his final bulletin on the Nine Network before moving to the rival Seven Network, where he remains as of today. * '''28 September''' – Jeff Tarr becomes the second person to miss the final question on ''Millionaire Hot Seat''. * '''30 September''' – 2.64 million people tuned into the first ''Hey Hey It's Saturday'' reunion special to see the return of Daryl Somers and the gang. * '''7 October''' – A "Red Faces" segment in the second of two ''Hey Hey It's Saturday'' reunion specials causes international catastrophe when the performers for Act 2 appear in blackface performing a tribute to the music of Michael Jackson. Guest judge Harry Connick, Jr. scores a '''O''' for the act while criticizes the segment as offensive and did not like the music of Michael Jackson. Hours later, Somers apologizes to him on air to say "sorry". During the replay of GO! broadcasts, when Act 1 finished, the show went to a commercial break and came back for Act 3, after Connick's 2nd performance from a number, it went to a final commercial break in time for the grand finale. Hours after the reunion show, Connick Jr. was fired and banned for life. * '''21 October''' – A giant seagull appears behind ''Nine News Melbourne'' newsreader Peter Hitchener during the 6:00 pm news. * '''25 October''' – Australian television legend Don Lane dies of long battle with illness, he was 75. * '''27 October''' – After 12 years on air, the multi-awarding winning medical drama All Saints aired its last episode to a total viewership of 1,512,000. * '''1 November''' – 7TWO launches, after failing to soft launch two days earlier. * '''22 November''' – Stan Walker wins the seventh and final season of ''Australian Idol''. * '''25 November''' – Eamon Sullivan wins ''Celebrity MasterChef Australia''. * '''26 November''' – Empire of the Sun wins Single and Album of the Year at the 2009 ARIA Awards. * '''27 November''' – Former ''Today'' and ''Seven News'' presenter Ian Ross retires after over half a century on air. * '''30 November''' – ''Nine News'' relaunches its graphics after its worst ratings year on record. * '''3 December''' – ABC3 launches. * '''4 December''' – Federal Communications Minister Senator Stephen Conroy announces that Community television stations will receive $2.6 million in federal funding and the suitable spectrum to enable to begin digital simulcasts.
Notable celebrity deaths  Name Age Date of death Occupation Ref  82  Actor (''Adventure Island'')   80  Actor in numerous Australian films and TV series   78  Seven Network and later Nine Network newsreader   61  Actor in numerous Australian films and TV series   65  Actor in numerous Australian films and TV series   72  Host of Torque   72  Former ''Nine News Melbourne'' director (1975–2003)   45  Documentary filmmaker; winner of ''Australian Survivor''   69  Former ''ABC News Brisbane'' journalist and chief of staff (1976–2008)   86  Actor in numerous Australian films and TV series   64  SBS Youth Orchestra Conductor   60  Choreographer and dancer on ''Bandstand'' and ''The Don Lane Show''   82  Actor in numerous Australian films and TV series   68  Co-host ''Ask the Leyland Brothers''   86  Game show host, (showcase)   ? SBS Football commentator   75  Host of ''The Don Lane Show''   63  Actress in numerous Australian films and TV series === Channels ======= New channels ====* 20 January – A-PAC* 26 March – One* 1 June – SBS Two* 2 July – One (Southern Cross Ten)* 9 August – Go! * 1 November – 7TWO* 15 November – 13th Street* 15 November – Lifestyle YOU* 15 November – Discovery Turbo MAX* 15 November – Style Network* 15 November – NAT GEO WILD* 15 November – Family Movie Channel* 15 November – KidsCo* 15 November – Showtime Drama (replacing Showtime Greats)* 15 November – Showtime Comedy (replacing Showtime Greats)* 15 November – Showtime Action (replacing Showtime Greats)* 15 November – STARPICS 1* 15 November – 111 Hits+2* 15 November – Discovery Channel+2* 15 November – Lifestyle YOU+2* 15 November – Discovery Turbo MAX+2* 15 November – Sci Fi+2* 15 November – STARPICS 2* 15 November – Showcase 2* 15 November – LifeStyle Food+2* 15 November – UKTV HD (replacing BBC HD)* 15 November – FOX8 HD* 15 November – W HD* 15 November – Showtime Premiere HD* 15 November – Showcase HD* 15 November – Showtime Action HD* 15 November – STARPICS 1 HD* 15 November – STARPICS 2 HD* 15 November – Fox Sports 1 HD (replacing Fox Sports HD)* 15 November – Fox Sports 2 HD (replacing Fox Sports HD)* 15 November – Fox Sports 3 HD (replacing Fox Sports HD)* 29 November – 7TWO (Southern Cross Tasmania)* 4 December – ABC3* 23 December – 7TWO ON PRIME (Prime Television)==== Defunct channels ====* 15 January – Interactive Sports Selector (Channel 500 on Foxtel)* 26 March – Ten HD (replaced by ONE)* 1 June – SBS World News Channel (replaced by SBS Two)* 30 June – Gamesworld (Channel 555 on Foxtel)* 2 August – Nine HD (replaced by Nine Network HD simulcast)* 15 November – Fox Sports HD (replaced with Fox Sports 1 HD, Fox Sports 2 HD and Fox Sports 3 HD)* 15 November – BBC HD (replaced with UKTV HD)* 15 November – Showtime Greats (replaced with Showtime Drama, Showtime Comedy and Showtime Action)==== Renamed channels ====* 15 November – showtime premiere (formerly Showtime)* 15 November – V Hits|V Hits (formerly Channel V)
Ratings
Premieres === Domestic series ====== International series ====== Telemovies ===+ Domestic telemovie premieres on Australian television in 2009 Telemovie Network Original airdate(s) Ref ''The Eternity Man'' ABC1    ABC1   ''Chainsaw'' SBS TV   ''One of the Lucky Ones'' SBS TV   ''Rogue Nation'' ABC1   ''Motorcycle Karma'' Nat Geo Adventure   ''Saved'' SBS TV   ''3 Acts of Murder'' ABC1   ''A Model Daughter: The Killing of Caroline Byrne'' Network Ten   ''Samson and Delilah'' ABC1   ''Dungoona''(formerly titled ''Wauchope'') MTV  + International telemovie premieres on Australian television in 2009 Program Country of origin Network Original airdate(s) Ref ''Coming Down the Mountain''  ABC2   ''Magnificent 7'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Lusitania: Murder on the Atlantic'' United Kingdom, ABC1   ''The Somme'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''The Trial of Tony Blair'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Fanny Hill'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''The Cheetah Girls: One World''  Disney Channel   ''Gym Teacher: The Movie'' United States Nickelodeon   ''Dadnapped'' United States Disney Channel   ''Spectacular!'' United States Nickelodeon   Network Ten   ''Filth: The Mary Whitehouse Story'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Short Stay in Switzerland'' United Kingdom BBC HD   ''Grey Gardens'' United States Showcase   ''The 39 Steps'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Wuthering Heights'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Ben 10: Alien Swarm''United States Cartoon Network   ''Albert's Memorial'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Clash of the Santas'' United Kingdom ABC1    United Kingdom, ABC1   ''A Room with a View'' United Kingdom ABC1 ''Unknown'' === Miniseries ===+  Miniseries Network(s) Original airdate(s) Ref ''False Witness'' UK.TV, BBC HD  + International miniseries premieres on Australian television in 2009 Miniseries Country of origin Network Original airdate(s) Ref ''Messiah V: The Rapture'' United Kingdom UKTV   ''Sunshine'' United Kingdom UKTV   ''House of Saddam'' United Kingdom Showcase   ''Unforgiven'' United Kingdom UKTV   ''Frank Herbert's Children of Dune'' United States Go! ''Red Dwarf: Back to Earth'' United Kingdom ABC2   ''Oliver Twist'' United Kingdom ABC1  === Documentary specials ===+  Documentary Network(s) Original airdate(s) Ref ''Destiny in Alice'' ABC1   ''Courting with Justice'' ABC1   ''Nigger Lovers'' ABC1        SBS TV   ''When the Natives Get Restless'' ABC1   ''Glass: A Portrait of Philip in Twelve Parts'' ABC1   ''Flour, Sugar and Tea'' ABC1   ''Best Undressed'' SBS TV    ABC1   ''River of No Return'' SBS TV   ''In Memory of Maia'' Network Ten   ''Tibet: Murder in the Snow'' SBS TV       ''Bombora: The Story of Australian Surfing'' ABC1   ''Artscape: Anatomy'' ABC1   ''Solo'' ABC1   ''CMC Rocks the Snowys'' Country Music Channel   ''For Valour''    ''Rock + Roll Nerd: The Tim Minchin Story'' ABC1   ''Forecast for Disaster: The Weather Behind Black Saturday''    ''Bomb Harvest'' Discovery HD   ''Trimbole: The Real Underbelly'' Nine Network   ''Something in the Water'' ABC2   ''Friday on My Mind'' SBS TV   ''Ned Kelly Uncovered'' ABC1   ''Liberal Rule: The Politics That Changed Australia'' SBS TV   ''Cassowaries'' ABC1   ''Community Cop'' SBS One   ''Skippy: Australia's First Superstar'' ABC1   ''Blank Canvas'' Bio. ''Dead Famous'' ABC1   ''Whale Patrol'' ABC1    ABC1   ''Rainforest: The Secret of Life'' ABC1   ''Addicted to Money'' ABC1   ''Darwin's Brave New World'' ABC1   ''Ko Ho Nas'' (formerly known as ''Kill or Die'') SBS One       ''Surviving Mumbai'' ABC1   ''World Champion Santa'' ABC1   ''Operation Croc'' Seven Network   ''Operation Jumbo'' ABC1   ''Pieces of Me'' ABC1   ''Lost Years: A Sea Turtle Odyssey''(formerly known as ''Loggerheads: The Lost Years'') SBS One  + International documentary premieres on Australian television in 2009 Program Country of origin Network Original airdate(s) Ref ''Lunch with Madame Murat''  SBS TV     ABC1   ''Evolve''     ''Journey to the Edge of the Universe'' United Kingdom,United States National Geographic Channel    United States SBS TV   ''Nigel Marven's Ugly Animals'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Gangland Graveyard'' United States ABC1   ''Blood and Guts: A History of Surgery'' United Kingdom SBS TV   ''Everest ER'' United States ABC1   ''Who Killed Stalin?'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Hubble's Final Frontier'' United Kingdom National Geographic Channel   ''Penguins of the Antarctic'' United Kingdom,United States ABC1   ''Changing Climates, Changing Times'' France,  SBS TV    United Kingdom ABC1   ''Dreams of Obama'' United States ABC1   ''Martian Robots'' United Kingdom National Geographic Channel   ''An Eye for an Elephant'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Made in Chicago: The Making of Barack Obama'' United States ABC1   ''Monster of the Milky Way'' United States National Geographic Channel   ''2050: How Soon Is Now?'' ABC1   ''How to Live to 101 Without Trying'' United Kingdom SBS TV   ''Death of the Universe'' United States National Geographic Channel   ''Cherub of the Mist''  ABC1   ''Born to be King: Prince Charles at 60'' United States ABC1   ''1983: The Brink of Apocalypse''(a.k.a. ''Soviet War Scare 1983'') United States ABC1    United Kingdom SBS TV   ''India Reborn'' Canada, ,United Kingdom, France SBS TV   ''Wild Caribbean'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Death of a Nation'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''How Does Your Memory Work?'' United Kingdom SBS TV   ''Bringing Up Baby'' United Kingdom ABC1    United Kingdom SBS TV   ''A Lady's Guide to Brothels'' United Kingdom SBS TV   ''How Life Began'' United States    ''All About Dung'' United States     United Kingdom ABC2   ''Jade Goody'' United Kingdom Bio. ''13 Kids & Wanting More'' United Kingdom    ''Ancient Ink'' United States    ''In the Womb: Identical Twins'' United Kingdom National Geographic Channel HD   ''Earthquake: Panda Rescue'' Unknown Animal Planet   ''When Borat Came to Town'' , SBS TV   ''Ben Stiller'' United States Bio. ''China's Last Elephants'' United Kingdom,Germany Animal Planet   ''Stanley Kubrick's Boxes'' United Kingdom ABC2   ''Ice Vegas'' United States National Geographic Channel HD    United Kingdom SBS One   ''Louis Theroux: Law and Disorder in Philadelphia'' United Kingdom Seven Network    United Kingdom SBS TV    United States Crime & Investigation Network   ''Kung Fu Inc.'' Unknown National Geographic Channel HD   ''Superstar on Trial: Mexico's Madonna''  Crime & Investigation Network   ''The Sci Fi Boys'' United States Sci-Fi   ''Gok Wan: Too Fat Too Young'' United Kingdom    ''The Beckoning Silence'' United Kingdom    ''We Are Wizards'' United States ABC2   ''Miracle of the Hudson Plane Crash'' United States,United Kingdom Seven Network   ''Josef Fritzl: Story of a Monster'' United Kingdom Crime & Investigation Network   ''Battle at Kruger Park''(a.k.a. ''Caught on Safari: Battle at Kruger'') United States Seven Network   ''Waltz with Bashir''  SBS One   ''Pedigree Dogs Exposed'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Inside the Wonders of the Muslim World'' United States SBS One    United States National Geographic Channel   ''Theater of War'' United States ABC2   ''Fergie: Duchess on a Mission'' United Kingdom Nine Network   ''Addicted to Boob Jobs'' United Kingdom LifeStyle You   ''Britney: Speared by the Paps'' United Kingdom MTV    United States ABC2   ''What a Difference a Day Made: Doris Day Superstar'' Germany ABC2   ''Unlikely Animal Friends'' Unknown Seven Network   ''Louis Theroux: A Place for Pedophiles'' United Kingdom BBC Knowledge   ''Joanna Lumley in the Land of the Northern Lights'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Prince Charles' Other Mistress'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Sex Positive'' United States SBS One   ''I Killed John Lennon'' United Kingdom Crime & Investigation Network   ''Snowdon and Margaret: Inside a Royal Marriage'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Backstairs Billy: The Queen Mum's Butler'' United Kingdom ABC1   ''Hitler's Favourite Royal'' United Kingdom ABC1    United Kingdom SBS One   ''Final Chance to Save the Orangutans with Joanna Lumley'' United Kingdom ABC1    United Kingdom ABC1   ''I Dreamed a Dream: The Susan Boyle Story'' United Kingdom UK.TV  DateProgramChannel Still to debut ''Kokoda'' ABC1 Still to debut ''The Mission'' ABC1 Still to debut ''A Pacific Solution'' SBS TV Still to debut ''Penguin Island'' ABC1 Still to debut ''Salam Father'' SBS TV Still to debut ''Shintaro'' SBS TV Still to debut ''Under Southern Seas'' ABC1 Still to debut ''Westall 1966: A Suburban UFO Mystery'' TBA Still to debut ''The Conditions of Love'' TBA Still to debut ''Immortal'' TBA Still to debut ''Inside the Firestorm'' ABC1 Still to debut ''Murundak - Songs of Freedom'' TBA Still to debut ''From the Ashes'' ABC Television Still to debut ''Accentuate the Positive'' ABC Television Still to debut ''Jandamarra'' ABC Television 2008 ''Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections'' National Geographic Channel 30 May SBS TV 10 August ''On Board Air Force One'' Seven Network June National Geographic Channel Still to debut ''Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup'' Foxtel Still to debut ''The Nomad Trail'' ABC Television Still to debut ''Sales, Seduction and Sex'' SBS Television Still to debut ''Skin Deep'' SBS TelevisionDateProgramChannel Still to debut ''1606 and 1770: A Tale of Two Discoveries'' TBA Still to debut ''Gallipoli's Deep Secrets'' The History Channel Still to debut ''As Australian As'' The History Channel 2008  ''Richard Hammond's Engineering Connections'' National Geographic Channel 30 May SBS TV 10 August  ''Air Force One'' Seven Network June National Geographic Channel=== Specials ===DateProgramChannel 25 January Announcement of the 2009 Australian of the Year Nine Network 1 February ''2009 Country Music Awards of Australia'' Network Ten 14 February Country Music Channel 3 February 2009 Allan Border Medal Nine Network 8 February ''Marty Rhone: A Tribute to Cliff Richard and the Shadows'' ABC1 12 February ''Australia Unites'' (Bushfire telethon) Nine Network 13 February Geoffrey Robertson's Hypothetical ''Closing the Gap'' NITV 13 February ''After The Fire: An ABC News Special'' ABC1 22 February National Day of Mourning Service ABC1 SBS TV Seven Network Nine Network Network Ten 22 February ''Tropfest 2009'' Movie Extra 11 April Nine Network 20 March ''Essence of the Game'' Seven Network 27 March ''MTV Australia Awards 2009'' MTV 18 April Seven Network 30 March ''2009 Melbourne International Comedy Gala'' Network Ten 10 April ''2009 Good Friday Appeal'' Seven Network (Melbourne) 22 April ''Firebird and Other Legends'' ABC2 25 April ABC's coverage of ANZAC Day ABC1, ABC2 and ABC HD 5 May Christian the Lion special Seven Network 27 June ''Michael Jackson: The King of Pop'' Nine Network 4 July ''The Latest on Michael Jackson'' Nine Network 6 July Triple J TV presents Lily Allen ABC2 13 July ''2009 Melbourne International Comedy Debate'' Network Ten 15 August ''50 Years of Television'' Nine Network (Brisbane) 22 August ''Coming Home'' Seven Network 29 August ''ARIA Hall of Fame 2009'' Nine Network 8 September ''World Food Spectacular'' Seven Network 10 September ''Hamish & Andy's American Caravan of Courage'' Network Ten 20 September ''TV's Best of the Best'' Nine Network 21 September ''2009 Brownlow Medal'' Seven Network 22 September ''The Very Best of the Paul Hogan Show (Part 1)'' Nine Network 30 September and 7 October ''Hey Hey It's Saturday: Reunion specials'' Nine Network 18 October ''The 2009 Deadlys'' SBS One 31 October and 7 November ''2009 Rock Eisteddfod Challenge'' ABC1 17 November ''The Very Best of the Paul Hogan Show (Part 2)'' Nine Network 17 November ''Rove Presents Hamish & Andy Regifted, Another Very Early Christmas Special'' Network Ten 19 November ''2009 IF Awards'' SBS One 20 November showcase 8 November ''2009 Andrew Olle Media Lecture'' ABC1 12 December ''2009 AFI Awards'' Nine Network 26 November ''2009 Aria Awards'' Nine Network 27 November MTV 26 November ''2009 Walkley Awards'' SBS One 10 December ''The New Black'' ABC1 11 December ''John Safran: Media Tycoon'' ABC1 13 December ''Hulkamania'' (Was pulled from schedule two days before it was to air due to circumstances surrounding the Australian promoter of the event) One 13 December ''2009 Schools Spectacular'' ABC1 19 December ''2009 Carols in the Domain'' Seven Network 24 December ''2009 Carols by Candlelight'' Nine Network 24 December ''Carols from St George's Cathedral 2009'' ABC1 25 December ''2009 Australian Dancesport Championships'' Seven Network 31 December ''Sydney Symphony with Human Nature'' ABC1 31 December ''The Noughties: A Decade in Review'' Nine Network 31 December ''2009 New Year's Eve ARIA Countdown'' Nine Network 31 December ''Shaun Micallef's New Year's Rave'' Network Ten 31 December ''Sydney's New Year's Eve Fireworks'' Nine Network 1 January ''2009 Vienna New Year's Concert'' SBS TV 3 January ''30 Best and Worst Beach Bodies'' Network Ten 4 January  ''119th Annual Rose Parade'' Seven Network 10 January  ''40 Smokin' On-Set Hookups'' Network Ten 21 January Barack Obama 2009 presidential inauguration ABC1 SBS TV Seven Network Nine Network Network Ten 2 February  ''Lost: Destiny Calls'' Seven Network 23 February  ''81st Academy Awards'' Nine Network Movie Extra ? ? February ''Spielberg on Spielberg'' Bio. 11 March ''Stand Up: Muslim-American Comics Come of Age'' ABC2 12 March ''Status Quo: The Party Ain't Over Yet'' ABC1 4 April Sesame Street: Coming Home ABC2 13 April ''I Get That a Lot'' Network Ten 13 April ''Just for Laughs'' special Network Ten 20 April ''Celebrity Plastic Surgery: The Good, the Bags and the Ugly'' Network Ten 10 May ''Spielberg on Spielberg'' ABC2 15, 16 and 17 May  ''Eurovision Song Contest 2009'' SBS TV 1 May ''2008 BBC Electric Proms'' ABC2 11 May ''Lost: The Story of the Oceanic 6'' Seven Network 27 May ''Lost: A Journey in Time'' Seven Network 31 May ''Planet of the Dead'' ABC1 13 June San Remo Song Festival SBS One 26 June ''The Life and Death of Michael Jackson'' Network Ten 29 June ''The Michael Jackson Story'' Seven Network 1 July ''Michael Jackson: What Really Happened?'' Nine Network 1 July ''Michael Jackson: Picking up the Pieces'' Network Ten 3 July Tigger and Pooh and A Musical Too Seven Network 5 July ''Secrets of Merlin'' Network Ten 6 July ''Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special'' (Retitled ''Michael Jackson: The Last Time'' and most likely a repeat) Seven Network 20 July ''Wire in the Blood'' (USA episode "Prayer of the Bone") ABC2 5 August ''Jamie Saves Our Bacon'' Network Ten 13 August ''Surviving Sextuplets and Twins'' Network Ten 20 August ''The 45 Stone Virgin'' Network Ten 22 August ''Pearl Jam: Live in Cornice, Italy'' Nine Network 22 August ''Hot August Night NYC'' Nine Network 24 August ''Miss Universe 2009'' Seven Network 30 August ''2009 Teen Choice Awards'' Network Ten 5 September ''Neil Diamond: Welcome Home Neil'' Nine Network 10 September ''The Beatles in the Studio'' Nine Network 3 November ''My Friend Michael Jackson: Uri's Story'' Seven Network 22 November ''2009 British Comedy Gala'' Network Ten 22 November ''Pet Shop Boys at the BBC'' ABC2 6 December ''The Waters of Mars'' ABC2 15 December ''Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special'' Network Ten 21 December ''The Making of Back to Earth'' ABC2 22 December ''Dannii Minogue: My Story'' Seven Network 24 December ''2009 Nobel Peace Prize Concert'' ABC2 24 December ''2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show'' Network Ten 25 December ''Prep & Landing'' Seven Network 25 December ''The Queen's Christmas Message 2009'' ABC1 / UK.TV / Nine Network 31 December ''U2 Equals BBC'' ABC2 31 December ''Seal Soul Live'' ABC2 Still to debut ''2008 Radio 1's Big Weekend'' ABC2DateProgramChannel 1 February ''2009 Country Music Awards of Australia'' Network Ten 14 February Country Music Channel 13 February ''Frozen in Time'' FOX8 13 February Geoffrey Robertson's Hypothetical ''Closing the Gap'' NITV 22 February ''Tropfest 2009'' Movie Extra 11 April Nine Network 7 March ''Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras'' Main Event 14 March ''Sound Relief'' (Sydney concert) MAX 27 September Nine Network 14 March ''Sound Relief'' (Melbourne concert) Channel V|Channel V 27 September Nine Network 27 March ''MTV Australia Awards 2009'' MTV 18 April Seven Network 21 April 2009 ASTRA Awards Various Foxtel channels 22 April ''Firebird and Other Legends'' ABC2 2 May An Audience with Tina Arena Bio. 23 May Cracker Night 2009 The Comedy Channel 27 June Bernadette Peters in Concert: Live from the Adelaide Cabaret Festival Bio. 5 July 2009 APRA Music Awards MAX 27 July ''2009 Helpmann Awards'' Bio. 2 August ''Live: Jet'' Channel V|Channel V 1 November ''The Breast Darn Show in Town'' The Comedy Channel 13 November ''Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards 2009'' Nickelodeon Australia 26 November ''2009 Aria Awards'' Nine Network 27 November MTV 3 December ''I Can't Believe It's Not Better'' The Comedy Channel  20 December ''An Evening with Michael Parkinson'' UK.TV Still to debut Sydney Dance Company specials Bio. 9 January  ''The Hairy Bikers Come Home'' The LifeStyle Channel 12 January  ''66th Golden Globe Awards'' Arena 18 January  ''The Powerpuff Girls Rule'' Cartoon Network 26 January  ''15th Screen Actors Guild Awards'' Showcase 9 February  ''51st Grammy Awards'' Arena 9 February  ''62nd British Academy Film Awards'' Bio. 23 February  ''81st Academy Awards'' Nine Network Movie Extra 26 February  ''2009 BRIT Awards'' Channel V Australia|Channel V ? ? February  ''Spielberg on Spielberg'' Bio. 10 May ABC2 4 April  ''2009 Kids' Choice Awards'' Nickelodeon 12 April  ''WWE Diva Diaries'' Arena 2 May  ''Glyndebourne Musical Month: 75th Birthday Season'' BBC HD 25 May  ''Shaun Cassidy Biography'' Bio. 8 June 63rd Tony Awards Bio. 20 June Barry Manilow Live From Las Vegas Bio. 26 June Barry Manilow Songs from the 1970s Bio. 20 July  ''The Debbie Rowe Interview: The Missing Tapes'' Arena 27 July  ''Jacko Madness'' Arena September  ''2009 MTV Video Music Awards'' MTV 21 September  ''61st Primetime Emmy Awards'' Arena 21 September Network Ten 6 November  ''MTV Europe Music Awards 2009'' MTV 7 November  ''2009 Scream Awards'' Sci Fi Channel 12 November  ''2009 CMA Awards'' Country Music Channel 23 November  ''2009 American Music Awards'' FOX8 13 December  ''VH1 Divas 2009'' MTV 27 December  ''2009: That Really Happened?'' VH1 27 December  ''Bonnie Tyler's Top 50 1980s Power Ballads'' VH1 31 December  ''Last Night of the Proms 2009'' UK.TV  ''20th GLAAD Media Awards'' Arena
Programming changes === Changes to network affiliation ===This is a list of programs which made their premiere on an Australian television network that had previously premiered on another Australian television network. The networks involved in the switch of allegiances are predominantly both free-to-air networks or both subscription television networks. Programs that have their free-to-air/subscription television premiere, after previously premiering on the opposite platform (free-to air to subscription/subscription to free-to air) are not included. In some cases, programs may still air on the original television network. This occurs predominantly with programs shared between subscription television networks.==== Domestic ==== Program New network Previous network Date ''Thank God You're Here'' Seven Network Network Ten  ''Football Stars of Tomorrow'' Nine Network / Fox Sports Fox Sports / SBS TV  ''Flipper and Lopaka'' ABC3 Seven Network  ''Spellbinder'' ABC3 Nine Network ==== International ==== Program New network Previous network Date  ''Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles'' FOX8 Nine Network  Flight of the Conchords  ''Flight of the Conchords'' SBS One Network Ten  Torchwood  ''Torchwood'' ABC2 Network Ten / Ten HD  Little Britain  ''Little Britain''  Nine Network ABC1  Survivor  ''Survivor'' Go! Nine Network  Bachelor, The  ''The Bachelor'' Go! Nine Network  Bachelorette, The  ''The Bachelorette'' Go! Nine Network  / ''Babar'' ABC2 ABC1  Dance Your Ass Off  ''Dance Your Ass Off'' Go! Nine Network  Wire, The  ''The Wire'' Go! (series five) / ABC2 ABC2  Bad Girls Club, The  ''The Bad Girls Club'' MTV Arena   ''Gavin & Stacey'' UKTV / BBC HD Seven Network  South Park  ''South Park'' SBS One / Go! SBS One  Curb Your Enthusiasm  ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' Go! Nine Network  Weeds  ''Weeds'' Go! Nine Network  Nip/Tuck  ''Nip/Tuck'' Go! Nine Network   ''Danger Mouse'' 7TWO ABC1   ''Avenger Penguins'' 7TWO ABC1   ''Count Duckula'' 7TWO ABC1 / Network Ten   ''The Wind in the Willows'' 7TWO ABC1   ''Victor and Hugo: Bunglers in Crime'' 7TWO ABC1  Style By Jury  ''Style By Jury''  7TWO Seven Network  Malcolm in the Middle  ''Malcolm in the Middle'' Network Ten Nine Network  Wild at Heart  ''Wild at Heart'' ABC2 ABC1  Rita Rocks  ''Rita Rocks'' Arena W. Channel DateProgramToFrom  Jerry Springer Show, The  ''The Jerry Springer Show'' Arena FOX8 5 June '' Charm School'' MTV VH1 19 March  ''Will & Grace'' TV1 111 Hits 6 September  ''Leverage'' W. FOX8 24 October  ''Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew'' Arena Bio. 15 November  ''Pelswick'' KidsCo Nickelodeon 15 November / ''Donkey Kong Country'' KidsCo Fox Kids 15 November  ''Dress My Nest'' Style Network Arena 15 November  ''Fat Dog Mendoza'' KidsCo Nickelodeon 15 November  ''Dennis the Menace'' (1986) KidsCo Nickelodeon 15 November  ''Married Away'' Style Network Arena 15 November  ''Pantry Raid'' Style Network Lifestyle FOOD 15 November  ''Split Ends'' Style Network Arena 15 November  ''Style Her Famous'' Style Network Arena 15 November  ''Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?'' Style Network Arena 16 November  ''Rolie Polie Olie'' KidsCo Disney Channel https://web.archive.org/web/20030621215718/http://www.disney.com.au/DisneyChannel/playhouse/shows/roliepolieolie/schedule.html 16 November  ''Instant Beauty Pageant'' Style Network Arena 16 November  ''What Not to Wear'' LifeStyle You The LifeStyle Channel  16 November  ''The House of Tiny Tearaways'' LifeStyle You The LifeStyle Channel  20 November  ''Don't Tell the Bride'' LifeStyle You The LifeStyle Channel  30 November  ''Two and a Half Men'' Arena FOX8 21 December  ''How to Look Good Naked'' LifeStyle You The LifeStyle Channel === Free-to-air premieres ===Below is a list programs which made their premiere on free-to-air television that had previously premiered on Australian Pay TV, a program may still air on the original network.DateProgramFTAPay TV 1 January ''Secret Millionaire'' Nine Network The LifeStyle Channel 12 January ''Airtime!'' Nine Network Nickelodeon 12 January ''Killing Hitler'' Seven Network ? 15 January ''The Unteachables'' ABC1 UK.TV 21 January ''Chandon Pictures'' ABC1 Movie Extra 8 February ''Cranford'' ABC1 UK.TV 9 February ''Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive'' ABC1 ? 22 February ''E! True Hollywood Story: Heath Ledger'' Network Ten E! 5 March ''Pulling'' ABC2 UK.TV 8 March ''Infamous Assassinations'' Seven Network The History Channel 17 March ''Bridezillas'' Nine Network Arena 16 April ''Mad Men'' SBS TV Movie Extra 10 June ''Saved'' Seven Network ? 5 August ''Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends'' (Born Again Christians episode) Seven Network Arena 15 August ''iCarly'' (Shown during ''Toasted TV'') Network Ten Nickelodeon Australia 31 August ''Entourage'' SBS One Arena 13 September ''Rock of Love'' Network Ten VH1 13 September ''Little Britain USA'' Network Ten Showcase 21 September (Syd/Bris)25 September (Melb/Adel/Per) ''The Andromeda Strain'' Seven Network Showcase 28 September ''Style By Jury'' Seven Network Arena / Discovery Home & Health 5 October ''Destroyed in Seconds'' Seven Network The Discovery Channel 5 October ''Man vs. Wild'' SBS One The Discovery Channel 5 October ''Afro Samurai'' Go! MTV 17 October ''Reno 911!'' Go! The Comedy Channel 2 November ''The Jay Leno Show'' 7TWO The Comedy Channel 4 November ''American Gladiators'' 7TWO MTV 5 November ''Fifth Gear'' 7TWO Discovery Turbo / The Lifestyle Channel 15 November ''False Witness'' Nine Network UK.TV / BBC HD 30 November ''Come Dine with Me'' Seven Network LifeStyle Food 6 December ''Inside the Actors Studio'' ABC2 Bio. 6 December ''John Adams'' SBS One Showcase 6 December ''Tool Academy'' Go! MTV 9 December ''Willie's Wonky Chocolate Factory'' ABC2 The LifeStyle Channel 14 December ''Stargate Universe'' Network Ten Sci-Fi Channel=== Subscription television premieres ===This is a list programs which had their premiere on Australian subscription television that had previously premiered on free-to-air television. Programs may still air on the original network.==== Domestic ====+  Program Subscription network Free-to-air network Date Ref ''Backyard Blitz''  Nine Network   ''Packed to the Rafters'' Hallmark Channel Seven Network   ''Summer Heights High''  ABC TV     ABC TV   ''Rush'' Hallmark Channel Network Ten  ==== International ====+  Program Country of origin Subscription network Free-to-air network Date Ref ''Psych''  TV1 Network Ten, TEN HD  ''Roots'' United States FOX Classics Network Ten   ''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'' United States Cartoon Network Network Ten   ''Damages'' United States W. Nine Network   ''Eliot Kid''  Disney Channel ABC1   ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'' United States  Seven Network   ''Gavin & Stacey'' United Kingdom UKTV Seven Network   ''Women's Murder Club'' United States W. Network Ten   ''Batman: The Brave and the Bold'' United States Cartoon Network Nine Network   ''Carnivàle'' United States Showcase ABC TV   ''QI'' United Kingdom UKTV ABC1   ''The Gil Mayo Mysteries'' United Kingdom 13th Street ABC1   ''Life on Mars'' United States W. Network Ten  === Ending this year ===+ Domestic television series endings on Australian television in 2009 Telemovie Network End date Start date Ref ''Temptation'' Nine Network    ''McLeod's Daughters'' Nine Network     Seven Network    ''Fresh'' Nine Network  2000  ''Extra'' Nine Network    ''This Afternoon'' Nine Network     ABC1     ABC1    ''All Saints'' Seven Network    ''Rove'' Network Ten     ABC1    ''Australian Idol'' Network Ten     Seven Network     Network Ten   === Returning this year ===DateProgramChannelDebut 20 April ''Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'' (returned under the title of ''Hot Seat'') Nine Network 18 April 1999
See also * 2009 in Australia* List of Australian films of 2009
Notes * Co-production with the .
References === Notes ===