TV Blackbox
Australia-focused TV industry news and ratings/distribution.
Digital Dementia Fears Explored in New Brain Health Report on 60 MINUTES
The upcoming 60 Minutes episode spotlights growing alarm over "digital dementia," a term coined for cognitive decline linked to excessive screen time. Researchers cite brain scans showing teenage brain shrinkage comparable to early‑stage Alzheimer’s, suggesting that prolonged device use may impair intelligence. The broadcast also features a rare interview with China’s ambassador to Australia, discussing Middle East instability and Beijing’s strategic calculations regarding Taiwan. Airing March 22 on Channel 9, the segment blends health science with geopolitical analysis.
Big Fortnight of Action on 7 SPORT Led by Golden Slipper and Maurie Plant Meet
Seven Network is rolling out a two‑week sports blitz, kicking off with the Golden Slipper Stakes and William Reid Stakes – five Group 1 races broadcast live from Rosehill and Caulfield. Jockey James McDonald, just one win short of Damien Oliver’s record, will...
Bondi Hero Ahmed Al-Ahmed Joins SBS HARMONY WEEK Live Broadcast
SBS is turning Bondi Pavilion into a live multilingual hub for Harmony Week, broadcasting programming in ten languages including Arabic, Hebrew, Mandarin, and English. The day‑long event features community leaders, first responders, and local hero Ahmed Al‑Ahmed, providing space for...
CASTING | LOVE ISLAND AUSTRALIA Opens Applications for Sexy Singles
Nine’s streaming hit Love Island Australia has launched casting for its eighth season, inviting singles aged 19 to 30 to apply. The new series will be filmed over seven weeks, likely between July and August 2026, with producers teasing a...
BBC Studios Aus, Lingo Pictures Feature in 24th SPA Business Awards Shortlist
Screen Producers Australia (SPA) announced the finalists for its 24th Annual Business Awards, highlighting the companies driving Australian screen production. BBC Studios Productions Australia, Lingo Pictures, Curio Pictures and others made the Media Super Production Business of the Year shortlist,...
Kieran Gilbert to Lead SKY NEWS Coverage of South Australia Election
Sky News Australia has appointed chief news anchor Kieran Gilbert to lead its comprehensive coverage of the 2026 South Australian state election. The network will broadcast a live election‑night program, "South Australia Decides," featuring panelists Andrew Clennell, Tom Connell and...
Epstein Survivor Who Helped Bring Him Down Speaks to A CURRENT AFFAIR
Marina Lacerda, long‑known only as "Minor Victim One," sat for her first Australian television interview on Nine's A Current Affair. At 14, she was a key witness whose testimony helped prosecutors charge Jeffrey Epstein with sex‑trafficking of minors. In the...
Trump’s Controversial Venezuela Oil Grab on FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT
The ABC series Foreign Correspondent aired a special on Trump’s aggressive push into Venezuela’s oil sector, highlighting U.S. intervention aimed at reviving the country’s faltering industry. The episode follows journalist Sandra Gathmann and a local crew as they document on‑the‑ground...
HBO Max Australia Brings SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE UK to Aussie Viewers
Australian streaming platform HBO Max has acquired the rights to air the first official UK adaptation of Saturday Night Live. The six‑episode series, filmed live in London, premieres on March 23 with Emmy‑winner Tina Fey hosting the debut episode. The...
Leadership Shake up as Sales Boss ROD PROSSER Exits Paramount Australia
Chief Sales Officer Rod Prosser has announced his resignation from Paramount Australia, ending a 15‑year tenure. He will leave the company at the end of April, with his exit communicated to more than 130 sales staff during a morning call....
AUDIENCE | Be in the Studio as HYBPA? And The Cheap Seats Return for 2026
Working Dog has opened audience registrations for the 2026 seasons of its two flagship comedy panel shows, Have You Been Paying Attention? (HYBPA?) and The Cheap Seats. Recordings will take place at Network 10’s Como studios in Melbourne, with HYBPA filming...
Lingering Questions over SA Algal Bloom Explored on FOUR CORNERS
Four Corners aired a new episode titled "Toxic Tide" to revisit South Australia’s toxic algal bloom that first emerged in March 2025. The investigation probes lingering questions about the government’s handling of health warnings, the scale of marine devastation, and...
Top 12 Perform Blockbuster Anthems as AUSTRALIAN IDOL Goes Live
Australian Idol’s 2026 live shows launched tonight, putting the Top 12 contestants on national television for the first time. The opening “movie week” challenges singers to reinterpret iconic blockbuster tracks from titles like The Lion King, Top Gun and Frozen. Viewer...
TV Highlights | 2026 Week 12
The week’s TV lineup is anchored by the 98th Academy Awards, streamed live on Seven and 7plus, and the launch of two high‑profile second‑season series: Deadloch on Prime Video and Jury Duty on Prime Video. Both shows promise fresh narrative...
GEORGIE GARDNER to Exit NINE After 25 Years with the Network
Nine announced that veteran journalist Georgie Gardner will leave the network after nearly 25 years of service. She began in 2002 as a weather presenter and morning news reader, later anchoring the Today Show and the 6pm weekend bulletin in...
Thursday VOZ Ratings | NRL Sneaks in Front of the AFL but Seven Takes the Night
Thursday’s VOZ ratings show the NRL’s Round 2 clash between Brisbane and Parramatta pulling 772,000 average viewers, edging out the AFL’s Round 1 Carlton‑Richmond game at 675,000. Seven Network captured the night with a 30.9% total‑TV share and a 31.3% consolidated share,...
Jaynie Seal to Host SKY NEWS Series on Australia’s Regional Health Services
Sky News Australia is launching a new special‑report series, *State of Health*, hosted by regional correspondent Jaynie Seal. The program travels across regional Australia to examine infrastructure, workforce and access challenges confronting hospitals and clinics serving nearly 10 million people. The...
Dr Harry Meets Marcia Hines’ New Puppy on BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
Better Homes and Gardens aired a special segment where Dr Harry met Marcia Hines and her new puppy, Bratha. The tiny dog quickly became the episode’s focal point, offering viewers a glimpse into Hines’ personal life beyond her Australian Idol...
Where to Stream WOMEN’S TOUR OF THE WEST INDIES in Australia
Australia Women begin a six‑match tour of the West Indies, debuting new captain Sophie Molineux after Alyssa Healy’s retirement. The series comprises three Twenty20 Internationals from March 20‑24 and three One Day Internationals from March 28‑April 4, featuring stars like Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney,...
SCREENRIGHTS Calls for Applications in 2026 Cultural Fund Round
Screenrights, the copyright collective for Australian and New Zealand screen creators, has opened applications for its 2026 Cultural Fund round, allocating up to $300,000 in total funding. Grants of up to $50,000 will support projects that use screen storytelling to enhance...
Lee Steele Set to Return to 9 NEWS PERTH Newsroom
Lee Steele is set to rejoin Nine’s Perth newsroom as a weekend weather presenter, combining reporting duties with on‑air forecasts. Steele previously spent a decade at Nine before moving to Network 10 in 2018, where she handled journalism and occasional...
CASTING | Apply to Marry a Returning MAFS Star in New Spin Off
The reality‑TV franchise Married at First Sight is launching a spin‑off titled Second Marriage at First Sight, inviting everyday singles to marry returning veterans of the show. Eight former participants – four from the UK and four from Australia –...
RECAP | Is MARRIED AT FIRST SIGHT Stuck Replaying the Same Fight?
Episode 23 of Married at First Sight 2026 follows the couples retreat in Kiama, NSW, where a heated fallout from Bec’s toast about Rachel and Steven dominates the narrative. The group repeatedly re‑hashes the same argument, with alliances forming against...
Where to Watch the 98th OSCARS® AWARDS Live and Free in Australia
The Seven Network will broadcast the 98th Oscars live and free across Australia, continuing its exclusive rights deal through 2028. Coverage starts early with Sunrise linking to Hollywood at 5:30 am AEDT, followed by the Red Carpet at 9:30 am and the...
CASTING | New Mystery Quiz Show Searches for Aussie Contestants
Australia’s major commercial networks are launching a new mystery quiz show, and casting is now open for everyday Australians over 18. Producers promise large cash prizes, full travel and accommodation, and a shoot at an undisclosed exciting destination. The format...
Ally Langdon Interviews Survivors of Sydney Dentist Attack on ACA
Disgraced celebrity dentist Steven Lin broke into a Potts Point apartment building demanding money, violently attacking photographer Chloe Paul and health expert Christine Campeau. Both women were hospitalized after the assault, which ended when police fatally shot Lin after a...
Jamie Durie Partners with LEADSTORY for Sustainability and Design Coverage
Australian designer and environmental advocate Jamie Durie has signed a partnership with global streaming platform LeadStory to produce original lifestyle programming. The new series will focus on sustainability, architecture and design, drawing on Durie's decades of experience in television and...
NATIONAL FORUM Launches Tonight as ABC Revives Town Square TV
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation launches ABC National Forum, a live, moderated discussion program airing tonight from its Ultimo studios. Hosted by David Speers, the inaugural episode focuses on Jewish Australians and the aftermath of the Bondi terrorist attack. Unlike the...
Melbourne Secrets and South Australia Sights Explored on POSTCARDS
The latest episode of Channel 9’s travel series Postcards showcases a mix of urban and regional attractions across Victoria and South Australia. Livinia Nixon explores the World‑Heritage Naracoorte Caves and a family‑run Padthaway Estate vineyard, while Lauren Phillips uncovers Melbourne laneway...
Nick McKenzie Probe Targets Alleged Worker Exploitation on 60 MINUTES
Nick McKenzie’s 60 Minutes investigation uncovers alleged wage theft at MA Services, a leading Australian security and cleaning contractor founded by Micky Ahuja. The report claims thousands of vulnerable migrant workers were paid below the legal minimum wage and denied entitlements...
RIP Jamie Dunn & Agro – Two Television and Radio Legends (Final Interview)
Australian entertainment icon Jamie Dunn, best known for puppeteering the beloved Agro character, died at 76, prompting an outpouring of tributes across the media industry. His final on‑camera interview, recorded in January 2026 for the streaming show McKnight Tonight, offered...
Free Audience Tickets Released for THE VOICE Knockouts and Quarter Finals
Free audience tickets have been released for the Knockouts and Quarter Finals of The Voice Australia’s 2026 season. Filming will occur at Carriageworks in Sydney on March 11 and March 19, with two studio sessions each day. The returning coaching...
Stan Sport Expands Tennis Coverage with WTA Tour Rights Deal
Australian streaming service Stan Sport has secured a sub‑licensing agreement with beIN Sports to broadcast the entire WTA Tour, covering every 250, 500 and 1000‑level tournament as well as the season‑ending WTA Finals. The rights add a year‑round women’s tennis pillar to...
Seven Unveils First Look at Adrian Portelli Backed MY RENO RULES
Seven has unveiled "My Reno Rules," a new renovation competition backed by billionaire Adrian Portelli that promises the largest giveaway in Australian television history. The format pits four teams of everyday Australians against each other to transform two neighboring rundown...
Channel 7 Still without Late News More than a Year After Axing THE LATEST
Seven’s commercial late‑night bulletin The Latest, launched in 2018, was axed in early 2025 and has not been replaced. The network now only airs occasional updates for breaking stories, leaving it as the sole Australian commercial broadcaster without a regular...
Is This the Biggest TV Weekend for Sports Fans on KAYO
Kayo Sports and Foxtel are delivering a record‑dense weekend, headlined by the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and the season openers of the AFL and NRL. The schedule also features Australia Women’s cricket Test, extensive NBA coverage, NBL playoffs, and two...
Could Alcohol Advertising on TV Soon Face Stricter Rules?
Australia’s media regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has launched an eight‑week public consultation to review how alcohol advertising appears on commercial free‑to‑air television. The review, running until 5:00 pm on 30 April 2026, will assess the volume, frequency and placement...
Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games Hit STAN SPORT with Every Event Live
Stan Sport will broadcast every one of the 79 medal events at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, offering live and on‑demand coverage starting March 6. The opening ceremony streams live on Stan Sport and will also be shown on...
Overseas Executives Join Australian Producers at SCREEN FOREVER 40
Screen Producers Australia announced that four senior overseas executives will attend SCREEN FOREVER 40, the country’s flagship screen industry conference on the Gold Coast from 28‑30 April 2026. The delegation includes Sophie Green of Bankside Films, Antoine Nugou of Mediawan...
PRIME VIDEO Tees up Rory McIlroy Masters Triumph in New Documentary
Prime Video unveiled the first‑look trailer and a 30 March premiere for *Rory McIlroy: The Masters Wait*, a feature‑length documentary chronicling the Irish golfer’s 14‑year pursuit of a Masters title. The film revisits McIlroy’s early heartbreaks, including his 2011 collapse, and builds...
LOVE ON THE SPECTRUM Locks in Season 4 Return Date on Netflix
Netflix has set the release date for Season 4 of the Emmy‑winning docu‑reality series Love on the Spectrum, slated for April 1, 2026. The show continues to follow autistic individuals navigating dating, mixing returning participants with new faces. Executive producers Karina Holden and...
Bendigo Viewers Face Long Wait for TV Return
Bushfires on Jan 9, 2026 devastated the Mount Alexander transmission site, cutting free‑to‑air TV for Bendigo’s regional viewers. Temporary transmitters restored only core channels at reduced power, leaving multichannels unavailable. Industry estimates a full rebuild will take up to six months...
Everything to Know About Brax and Ricky’s HOME AND AWAY Return
Home and Away will film its first ever scenes in Western Australia, marking a historic production milestone. Stephen Peacocke and Bonnie Sveen reprise their roles as Brax and Ricky, returning to the series after their 2016 exit. The new arc...
SBS Unveils FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 Broadcast Dream Team
SBS has unveiled its on‑air team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, appointing former Socceroos star Harry Kewell, retired Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams, and veteran commentator David Basheer as the headline analysts. Presenters Niav Owens and Claudio Fabiano will host studio coverage from...
Stan Partners with ACTF on Australian Family Film WHALE SHARK JACK
Stan has teamed up with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation to launch "Whale Shark Jack," a family‑focused feature set on Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef. The film stars Abbie Cornish, Michael Dorman and newcomer Alyla Browne, and follows a marine‑biologist family and their rescued...
Paramount Australia Elevates HELEN ELLIOTT to QLD Ad Sales Director
Paramount Australia has promoted Helen Elliott to Queensland Ad Sales Director, taking over the portfolio after the untimely death of former leader Kat Droulers. Elliott joins the role having spent eight years as Head of TV Sales for Southern Cross...
Donna Hay Returns with New Disney+ Series COASTAL CELEBRATIONS
Donna Hay returns to Disney+ with the four‑part Australian original *Coastal Celebrations*, debuting globally on 1 April. The series showcases relaxed summer entertaining, featuring achievable menus and simple styling against Sydney Harbour’s scenic backdrop. Hay serves as host and producer, while...
SBS Confronts Culture Wars in THE SOCIAL SCHISM
SBS will broadcast a new special, "The Social Schism," on 4 March, hosted by Janice Petersen. The program convenes politicians, economists, activists and community leaders to debate polarisation, immigration, hate speech and social cohesion. It aims to foster national understanding through...
Nine Backs FOOTY FURNACE Despite Rumours
Channel 9 has officially confirmed that its AFL analysis show Footy Furnace will return for the 2026 season. The decision comes after weeks of speculation fueled by the departure of longtime host Tom Morris to Channel 7 and rumors the...
Ticker Launches Latest Show BROKER BUSINESS for Mortgage Professionals
Ticker News has launched Broker Business, a new finance‑focused series aimed at Australia’s more than 20,000 mortgage and finance brokers. Hosted by Rex Afrasiabi, founder of New Chapter Legal, the weekly program delivers practical, broker‑to‑broker conversations on client acquisition, scaling...