Some facts about the development of television from the ABA’s website.
Television was introduced in :
Years TV was introduced by state
- NSW 1956
- Victoria 1956
- Queensland 1959
- South Australia 1959
- Western Australia 1959
- Tasmania 1960
- ACT 1962
- Northern Territory 1971
How many TV sets in Australia?
There are approximately 7.3 million TV households. (2004)
99% of households have at least 1 set.
55% of households have a second set.
(Source: Paul Budde Communication, estimates)
Current Number of TV Stations
Australia currently has three commercial stations (7, 9 and 10) and 2 government owned (public broadcast) stations SBS and ABC. In the country there is also a number of stations with affiliations to the major commercial networks i.e. Southern Cross, Win TV and Aboriginal station Imparja (Imparja is part government-owned, part commercial) and community stations such as Channel 31 in Melbourne.
Free TV Australia
Free TV Australia is a body founded in 1960 that represents the commercial television networks in Australia. On the board of Free TV are representatives from the Nine Network, Seven Network, Network Ten, Southern Cross Broadcasting, Prime Television, WIN and a representative of Swan Television Broadcasters, NBN and Imparja Television.
The board looks at issues that affect:
- policy and regulatory issues
- engineering and technical issues
- marketing, industrial relations
- and other areas affecting the industry
It also provides information for the all-important advertisers through an association run by Free TV Australia - Commercials Advice Pty Limited (CAD) which gives information to advertisers such as...
(a) Classification of commercials and infomercials under the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice.
(b) Issue of Classification Numbers
(c) An information service at both pre-production and finished commercial stages, which directs the attention of advertisers, agencies and production houses to legislative and regulatory requirements relevant to commercials.
Other Useful Sources
The History of Australian Television
Has decade commentary as well as year by year
ABA - Links Page
Has number of relevant links for TV industry
