The history of Australian television dates back to the 1940�s when it was planned to be launched. However, it got delayed due to the ongoing Second World War. Due to the war the progress was slow but in the wake of the Melbourne Olympic Games in 1956 it was made sure that television in Australia could be launched in the same year. In the year 1950, the Menzies Government decided that Australian television services will at first consist of a single national service by Australian Broadcasting Corporation in Sydney, with commercial stations at Melbourne and Sydney. In 1953, under the pressure from public, the Menzies Government appointed a Royal Commission, which would administer the launching of Australian television.
In 1956, test TV transmissions started on TCN9 and HSV7 Melbourne in the month of July. TCN9 became the first Australian television station, which began regular transmission from 16 September 1956. Bruce Gyngell started the first programme, This Is Television. On October 27, TCN9 is officially launched and on November 4, 1956 HSV7 is officially started. On November 19, 1956 the second television ABV2 is started and ABV2, GTV9 and HSV7 televised the Melbourne Olympic Games. In 1957, Sir Dallas Brookes launched the GTV9 and in the same year Graham Kennedy�s In Melbourne Tonight program was launched which continued for 13 years. The first edition of TV WEEK was sold in Melbourne in the year 1957. Bandstand, a popular musical TV program was started in the year 1958 which continued for 14 years and launched the careers of several famous musicians.
In the year 1959, Sydney and Melbourne are interlinked by microwave so that simultaneously the programs could be aired in both the cities. In 1959, the first Australian TV serial drama, Autumn Affair was started on Australian television. With the passage of time the Australian television has revamped itself according to the modern demands and many successful ventures have taken place in the past decades.
The major satellite providers who have helped in the growth of Australian television are as follows:
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: it is the national television network of Australia, which is a non-profit organisation. It provides service to all parts of the Australian continent. Imparja Television: this is an Australian television network, which began broadcasting on January 2, 1988 and mainly services the rural central and eastern Australia. Network Ten: it is one of the leading television networks of Australia, which is available in all leading Australian cities. Seven Network: it is a television network, which is owned by the Seven Media Group and was launched in the year 1956. It is the most widely used network in Australian country. Special Broadcasting Service: it is one of the government-funded television networks of Australia. Nine Network: it is an Australia based television network which functions on the suburban area of the North Shore of Sydney. It is one of the leading commercial networks of Australia. Westlink: it is one of the leading national networks of Australia and it services cover all parts of Australia. It is the combined effort of all these satellite stations, which have helped the Australian television to achieve its present height and recognition.
