TV Schedule
This page lists Australian television drama, reality, and comedy productions currently airing on free-to-air TV, as well as television productions scheduled for broadcast in 2012/2013.
DECEMBER 2012
Exchange Student Zero (Children) – Cartoon Network Sunday 6:00pm Official synopsis: Exchange Student Zer tells of two school friends obsessed with a fantasy card game called Battle Day Zero who inadvertently bring one of the characters, Hiro, to life. Despite being an anime character in a normal toon world, Hiro is passed off for an exchange student and so his peculiarities are, in the main, overlooked while our heroes try to work out how to get him home. That is until the game that brought him pours even more exotic creatures into the sleepy little town.
Commencement date: 16 December, 2012
NOVEMBER 2012
Redfern Now (Drama) – ABC1 Thursdays 8:30pm Official synopsis: Redfern Now is a six-part series that explores contemporary inner city Indigenous life. These powerful, moving, funny, and bittersweet stories centre on a diverse group of individuals, exploring their strength, flaws and resilience. Over six episodes we join the households of six different families whose lives are changed by a moment’s decision, an accident, or a seemingly insignificant incident. It is a series about extraordinary events in ordinary lives. Dangerous Remedy (Drama) – ABC1 Thursdays 8:30pm Official synopsis: The ABC telemovie event Dangerous Remedy tells the fascinating story of Dr Bertram Wainer. Living and working in Melbourne in the 1960s, Dr Wainer put his life at risk to expose police corruption in an effort to change the law on abortion and put an end to the illegal operations that were killing young women. Opening Shot (Documentary) – ABC2 Sundays 9:30pm Official synopsis: Opening Shot is an initiative between Screen Australian and ABC TV that gives voice to a new generation of filmmakers - with stories to match. Five filmmaking teams, all with a director under 35 years, have been given the opportunity to create a prime time half hour film that not only develops their long form filmmaking skills but also fires an (opening) shot in to the national conversation about Australia today. From the moral minefield of modern reproductive science to online hacktivism, these films share the voice of a generation tackling the issues that are important to them, and that have consequences for all of us. Scumbus (Comedy) – TEN Saturday 9:30pm Official synopsis: What would you do if your best friend was trying to ruin your life? Red and Tommy are two very different cops. Tommy (Ed Kavalee) does everything according to the letter of the law while Red (Toby Truslove) thinks laws were made to be broken. When they are sent to "The Scumbus", a police station in the worst part of town, Tommy will either hold off the local drug dealers and corrupt cops long enough to earn the promotion he craves and win the woman he loves – or will Red will finally ruin his life good? Devil's Dust (Drama) – ABC1 Sunday and Monday, 8:30pm Official synopsis: An intensely personal drama based on one of Australia's most shocking corporate scandals, Devil's Dust tells the story of ordinary Australians caught in a web of deception in the James Hardie asbestos saga. The two-part series follows four people - everyday hero and ex-Hardie's employee Bernie Banton (Anthony Hayes), Bernie's loyal wife Karen (Alexandra Schepisi), tenacious ABC journalist Matt Peacock (Ewen Leslie) and the fictional character of Hardie spin doctor Adam Bourke (Don Hany) - thrown together by a tragedy that becomes a high-stakes battle through the corridors of corporate, political and media power. Raising the Curtain (Documentary) – STUDIO Wednesdays 7:30pm Official synopsis: For the first time on television, STUDIO brings the stories of the Australian stage to life in the landmark series Raising the Curtain. Speaking to the biggest names in the industry including Cate Blanchett, Robyn Nevin and Geoffrey Rush, this is the tale of how Australia has entertained, been entertained and used theatre to speak to the world.
Commencement date: 1 November, 2012
Commencement date: 4 November, 2012
Commencement date: 4 November, 2012
Commencement date: 10 November, 2012
Commencement date: 11 November, 2012
Commencement date: 14 November, 2012
OCTOBER 2012
Highway Patrol - Season 4 (Reality) – Channel Seven Wednesdays 7:30pm Official synopsis: Highway Patrol takes a rare fly-on-the-wall glimpse into the working lives of the Victorian police officers who spend their days striving to keep our roads safe. From high-speed chases to violent conflicts and catching speeding drivers to investigating crash scenes, officers of the Victoria Police Traffic Units spend each day on the front line. These officers are passionate about their work, proud of what they do on a daily basis and invite viewers into their remarkable world in Highway Patrol. Surveillance (Reality) – Channel Seven Wednesdays 8:00pm Official synopsis: Every day more than two million cameras monitor your every public move. With unprecedented access to control rooms and CCTV cameras, see frightening scenes of dangerous driving, extreme risky behaviour around trains, a cataclysm of criminal activity and jaw-dropping activities of people who don't know they are being watched. Brynne: My Bedazzled Life (Reality) – Channel Seven Thursdays 7:30pm Official synopsis: With exclusive access to their properties scattered around the world – including a spectacular condo at the Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast, along with private jets, countless prestige cars, luxury boats, designer wardrobes and 150 million dollar fortune – the cameras are there for the jaw-dropping highs while shopping for an island resort to the lows and challenges that married life can sometimes bring as Brynne goes about her everyday life. Beauty and the Geek - Season 4 (Reality) – Channel Seven Thursdays 8:30pm Official synopsis: Will the Beauties throw themselves at the cashed-up Geek when they discover his identity? And will the other Geeks see him as a threat and join forces to eliminate him, viewing him as too privileged to take part in this fun social experiment? It's guaranteed to be an amusing mix of gorgeous Beauties and academically-gifted Geeks. Bushwacked! (Children's) – ABC3 Saturdays and Sundays 5:00pm Official synopsis: Join mates Brandon Walters (Australia) and ABC3's Kayne Tremills on a wild journey as they trek throughout Australia on some seriously weird and sometimes deadly wildlife missions during Bushwhacked!, an action-packed, adrenalin-pumping adventure series. From chasing down dangerous spiders, killer sharks and venomous snakes, as well as friendly penguins and lovable turtles, the boys are constantly kept on their toes as Brandon sets Kayne amazing missions to complete during each episode. Anh Does Vietnam (Documentary) – Channel Seven Sundays 7:30pm Official synopsis: Experience Vietnam through Anh Do's eyes as the comedian, actor and best-selling author returns to his homeland in this spectacular travel series. As he journeys from south to north, Anh is seeking to discover just how different his life would have been had his family not escaped the war and moved to Australia when he was two years old. How would he be living in Vietnam and what job would he be doing? Auction Room - Season 2 (Light Entertainment) – ABC1 Sundays 6:00pm Official synopsis: Auction Room follows Gordon Brown – with a lifetime's experience in the world of antiques and collectables– as he meets a range of intriguing personalities with fascinating stories to tell about the treasured possessions they're selling at auction. Killing Time (Drama) – Channel Seven Sunday 8:30pm Official synopsis: Killing Time is the true story of the rise and fall of notorious Melbourne criminal defence lawyer Andrew Fraser. At the top of his game, Fraser commanded a huge salary and lived the dream. His clients ranged from accused cop killers to the rich and famous including international businessman Alan Bond and AFL star Jimmy Krakouer.But when his cocaine addiction spiraled into a thousand dollar-a-day habit, his judgment became unsound and he crossed the line into the criminal milieu. Underground (Drama) – TEN Sunday 8:30pm Official synopsis: Julian Assange is one of the most significant figures of the 21st century. But before he was famous, before WikiLeaks, before the World Wide Web even existed, he was a teenage computer hacker in Melbourne. Underground is his story. Kitchen Cabinet - Season 2 (Light Entertainment) – ABC2 Wednesdays 9:30pm Official synopsis: Over six episodes, Annabel Crabb, our veteran political journalist invites herself over to the home of a sitting member offering dessert in exchange for dinner. The Unbelievable Truth (Comedy) – Channel Seven Thursdays 9:30pm Official synopsis: Brought to you by Julian Morrow, Craig Reucassel and Andrew Hansen (The Hamster Wheel, The Chaser's War on Everything) and British comedy guru Graeme Garden (The Goodies), The Unbelievable Truth is a game where comedians try to trick each other into believing lies while smuggling unbelievable but true facts past each other. Jack Irish: Bad Debts / Jack Irish: Black Tide (Drama) – ABC1 Sundays 8:30pm Official synopsis: Once a successful partner in a busy Melbourne criminal law practice, Jack Irish (Guy Pearce) slipped into an alcohol-fueled depression after his wife was murdered. First he lost his cases, then his self-esteem. But after hitting rock bottom, he finally started putting his life together again and has become a part-time investigator. Life at 7 (Documentary) – ABC1 Tuesdays 8:30pm Official synopsis: The Life Season is a penetrating, observational documentary series that chronicles the lives of 10 Australian children as they grow from infancy to adolescence. Every two years, the filmmakers revisit these children and their families to gain an in-depth snapshot of their lives, examining what it takes to give a child the best chance in life. Now, with our children having reached the critical age of seven, and in the midst of profound life changes, this two-part series explores their first tentative steps towards independence and self-identity. Once Upon a Dream (Documentary) – Channel Seven Tuesdays 4:00pm Official synopsis: If you long to be a dancer, come to class with us! Jessica Brown tells us how her commitment to become a dancer affects her entire life. We also meet the students from the Australian Ballet School. The Strange Calls (Comedy) – ABC2 Tuesdays 9:30pm Official synopsis: Coolum Beach. An ordinary Australian town … until the sun goes down. Meet Gregor, the town’s wild-eyed gatekeeper who has an encyclopedic knowledge of Coolum and its residents. His unwitting partner is Constable Toby Banks, a recently disgraced city cop, who arrives in town to begin his new role on the night duty desk situated in a derelict old caravan, on the outskirts of Coolum. This odd couple set out to investigate ‘the strange calls’, moments of midnight madness that reveal the bizarre truth of the town – a place where mermaids date policemen and a mysterious radio jingle will possess your soul. The Code (Documentary) – FOX Sports From Thursday 8:00pm Official synopsis: The Code is a factual series that chronicles 12 months in the life of a professional sports team. The concept provides an in-depth perspective of the organization, its players and support personnel as they collaborate to achieve both on and off-field success. Grand Designs Australia - Season 3 (Documentary) – LifeStyle Channel Thursdays 8:30pm Official synopsis: Our Great Southern Land - Australia - is home to an amazing array of scenery - from the top of the Snowy Mountains to the tropical wilds of the Gulf of Carpentaria, to the irrigated farms of the Murray Darling Basin, the red heart of Uluru and to the ancient forests of Tasmania. From the skies, Professor Steve Simpson uncovers the otherwise hidden patterns, rhythms, networks and systems that keep Australia on the move - fed, alive and thriving. Outback Truckers (Documentary) – 7mate Saturdays 6:30pm Official synopsis: They drive the biggest trucks on earth along the toughest roads and loneliest highways in the world. They are Australia's Outback Truckers, men and women in monster rigs, on marathon runs, through some of the most inhospitable terrain on the planet. Out here only one thing matters, getting there and back alive! The Mystery of a Hansom Cab (Drama) – ABC1 Sunday 8:30pm Official synopsis: Based on the international best-selling novel by Fergus Hulme, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab is now a stunning new telemovie with twists and turns to the very end. Set in boom-time Melbourne, 1886, two gentlemen climb into a hansom cab late one murky night. One man climbs out, the other continues his journey. On arrival, the driver finds the second man dead; murdered. The 'high-society' killing sends shockwaves through the young city, still flush from its gold-rush boom. Chateau Chunder: Wine Revolution (Documentary) – ABC1 Tuesday 8:30pm Official synopsis: Chateau Chunder is both a social history of wine and wine drinking and the story of how a small group of enterprising Australian winemakers took on the world... and won, changing the way that wine is made and marketed. The Adventures of Figaro Pho (Children) – ABC3 Premieres Wednesday 6:45am, then Weekdays 4:00pm Official synopsis: The Adventures of Figaro Pho is a 39 x 7’ 3D animated comedy series starring Figaro Pho, a quirky and mischievous character who happens to be afflicted with every phobia imaginable. Figaro is afraid of vampires, toilets, mad dogs, aliens and even being stared at by a duck! He’s also petrified of being alone, so to combat this phobia he created a mechanical companion – a dog like robot he calls Rivet. When things don’t go to plan for Figaro, Rivet is always there to help him get out of any sticky situations. A Moody Christmas (Comedy) – ABC1 Wednesdays 8:30pm Official synopsis: Such is the ordeal Dan Moody must face when he journeys home from London to spend each Christmas with his overbearing family. Once a year, for six years, we visit the lovably dysfunctional Moody family as they come together to share this universally celebrated holiday, stuffed full of all the fun, fights, bad gifts, boring uncles, overbearing in-laws, shocking family secrets and bizarre eccentricities that any family who’s experienced the melting pot of Christmas Day will relate to.
Commencement date: 3 October, 2012
Commencement date: 3 October, 2012
Commencement date: 4 October, 2012
Commencement date: 4 October, 2012
Commencement date: 6 October, 2012
Commencement date: 7 October, 2012
Commencement date: 7 October, 2012
Commencement date: 7 October, 2012
Commencement date: 7 October, 2012
Commencement date: 10 October, 2012
Commencement date: 11 October, 2012
Commencement date: 14 October, 2012 / 21 October, 2012
Commencement date: 16 October, 2012
Commencement date: 16 October, 2012
Commencement date: 16 October, 2012
Commencement date: 18 October, 2012
Commencement date: 18 October, 2012
Commencement date: 20 October, 2012
Commencement date: 28 October, 2012
Commencement date: 30 October, 2012
Commencement date: 31 October, 2012
Commencement date: 31 October, 2012
SEPTEMBER 2012
The Beer Factor (Comedy) – GO! Saturdays 10:30pm Official synopsis: The Beer Factor is a brand new TV series on GO! presented by Hahn and hosted by Tom Gleeson that will celebrate the wonderful world of beer by unveiling genius beer-related inventions by some of Australia's brightest beer pioneers! Border Security (Reality) – Channel Seven Sundays 7:30pm Official synopsis: Australia's front line takes viewers behind the scenes of Australia's immigration, customs and quarantine departments. Hosted by Grant Bowler. House Husbands (Drama) – Channel Nine Sundays 8:30pm Official synopsis: Fresh, funny and entertaining, the series centres on four young families with one thing in common: the men are in charge of raising the kids. Rake – Season 2 (Drama) – ABC1 Thursdays 8:30pm Official synopsis: Having learned nothing from disaster, Cleaver is once again up to his old tricks. He's in the midst of a wild affair with a woman whose position makes her a very dangerous liaison, and his penchant for defending the indefensible is still in full swing. Lowdown – Season 2 (Comedy) – ABC1 Thursday 9:30pm Official synopsis: Better change the pin numbers on your phones Australia, because the Sunday Sun's star entertainment reporter Alex Burchill (Adam Zwar) is back for another series of LOWDOWN. Spurred on by their editor (Kim Gyngell), Alex and his photographer mate, Bob (Paul Denny), continue to risk life, limb and karmic payback to expose the private peccadilloes of celebrities, in the hope of selling more newspapers. Airways (Reality) – Channel Seven Sundays 8:00pm Official synopsis: Airways is presented by Corinne Grant and follows the ups and downs of travel on budget airline Tiger Airways. Poh's Kitchen Lends a Hand (Light Entertainment) – ABC1 Tuesdays 8:00pm Official synopsis: Previously in Poh's Kitchen, Poh Ling Yeow has enjoyed fame and acclaim cooking with some of Australia's top chefs and exploring the finest gourmet produce. In her third series Poh brings a compelling and emotion-packed new twist to her culinary journey. Viewers will be captivated as they see Poh like never before. Out of her comfort zone, she'll pull up her sleeves and lend a hand to people who are using cooking to help heal, inspire and change lives. Do or Die (Reality) – ABC2 Wednesdays 8:30pm Official synopsis: Another day at the office just turned into a fight for survival. Do or Die is a series where regular office workers are thrown into a survival adventure that will change their lives and workplaces forever. Each week Do or Die drops a group of unsuspecting workers into some of the harshest Australian environments for five gruelling days. Great Southern Land (Documentary) – ABC1 Sundays 7:30pm Official synopsis: Our Great Southern Land - Australia - is home to an amazing array of scenery - from the top of the Snowy Mountains to the tropical wilds of the Gulf of Carpentaria, to the irrigated farms of the Murray Darling Basin, the red heart of Uluru and to the ancient forests of Tasmania. From the skies, Professor Steve Simpson uncovers the otherwise hidden patterns, rhythms, networks and systems that keep Australia on the move - fed, alive and thriving. The Hamster Wheel - Season 2 (Comedy) – ABC1 Wednesdays 9:00pm Official synopsis: The Chaser team mourns the death of journalism. The show examines how the media works or, in most cases, doesn't work. Why do we get the news we get? And inside the frantic rush of the hamster wheel, has the race to be first replaced the race to be right? The Hamster Wheel - where breaking news reaches breaking point.
Commencement date: 1 September, 2012
Commencement date: 2 September, 2012
Commencement date: 2 September, 2012
Commencement date: 6 September, 2012
Commencement date: 6 September, 2012
Commencement date: 9 September, 2012
Commencement date: 11 September, 2012
Commencement date: 12 September, 2012
Commencement date: 23 September, 2012
Commencement date: 26 September, 2012
AUGUST 2012
Big Brother (Reality) – Channel Nine Weeknights 7:00pm, Sunday 6:30pm Official synopsis: The ‘mother' of all reality shows returns to Australian television on Nine in 2012. The show that changed the face of Australian television is reborn with a bold new attitude and a brand new host, Sonia Kruger! Underbelly: Badness (Drama) – Channel Nine Mondays 8:30pm Official synopsis: Underbelly Badness tells the story of Sydney Underworld figure Anthony Perish and the efforts of the NSW Police Force's Strike Force Tuno. Class Of... (Reality) – TEN Wednesdays 9:30pm Official synopsis: Class Of... follows a group of students as they attempt to get their academic careers back on track and learn to love the thing they hate, school. Puberty Blues (Drama) – TEN Wednesdays 8:30pm Official synopsis: Puberty Blues tells the story of two girls Debbie and Sue, of innocence lost and experience gained against the backdrop of Australia in the seventies. Farmer Wants a Wife – Season 8 (Reality) – Channel Nine Thursdays 8:00pm Official synopsis: City meets country in this fun-filled Australian series. Follow six lonely farmers on the road to romance as they choose between hundreds of prospective partners. Prepare for tears, joy and jealousy, all in a heart-warming journey to find a wife. Destination Flavour (Cooking) – SBS Thursdays 8:00pm Official synopsis: Destination Flavour is a food-inspired road trip around Australia. Hosts Adam Liaw, Renee Lim and Lily Serna meet passionate growers, celebrated chefs and local food heroes from all over, each one with a story to tell. Every episode features a batch of inspiring recipes, reflecting the seasons, regions and diversity of Australia's wonderful food culture. HOWZAT! Kerry Packer's War (Drama) – Channel Nine Sunday 8.30pm Official synopsis: This two-part mini-series follows Kerry Packer's extraordinary rise to become the most influential businessman in the history of Australian sport. The X Factor (Reality) – Channel Seven Monday and Tuesday 7:30pm Official synopsis: Boasting an impressive array of megastar mentors including Alicia Keys, Usher, Ke$ha and The X Factor's own One Direction, the competition is set to be off the charts ah-may-zing! Can of Worms (Reality) – TEN Mondays 8:30pm Official synopsis: Each week three celebrity guests, a studio audience and Australians from all walks of life find out what we really think about some very curly questions. Don't Tell The Bride (Reality) – TEN Saturdays 7:00pm Official synopsis: Narrated by Kate Ritchie, Don't Tell The Bride follows various couples in the lead-up to their nuptials, with a crazy twist. The groom has to plan the ENTIRE wedding! Expect tears of joy and tantrums. I Will Survive: Priscilla (Reality) – Ten Wednesdays 7:00pm Official synopsis: 12 Aussie Blokes. 7 Outback Towns. 1 Ticket Broadway. Join Hugh Sheridan as the search for Australia's next big international superstar begins! Gruen Planet – Season 2 (Comedy) – ABC1 Wednesdays 8:30pm Official synopsis: Picking up where they left off last year, host Wil, Todd, and Russel will run the Gruen Planet scanner across the biggest news stories of the week, at home and abroad, pinpointing exactly where the truth stops and the spin, branding and image control begin. Big Brother: Confidential (Reality) – Channel Nine Thursdays 8:00pm Official synopsis: Once the kids have gone to bed, it's time for some grown-up fun with Big Brother Confidential. Big Brother Confidential reveals the cheeky, playful, quirky and downright funny side of our Housemates who have been busy entertaining themselves and each other. Go Back to Where You Came From – Season 2 (Documentary) – SBS One Tuesdays 8:30pm Official synopsis: Six prominent faces from Australian politics, television and radio, some with outspoken views on refugees and asylum seekers and others with a connection to the debate, are set to get the nation talking when they feature in the second instalment of Go Back to Where You Came From.
Commencement date: 13 August, 2012
Commencement date: 13 August, 2012
Commencement date: 15 August, 2012
Commencement date: 15 August 2012
Commencement date: 15 August, 2012
Commencement date: 16 August, 2012
Commencement date: 19 August, 2012
Commencement date: 20 August, 2012
Commencement date: 20 August, 2012
Commencement date: 20 August, 2012
Commencement date: 21 August 2012
Commencement date: 22 August 2012
Commencement date: 22 August 2012
Commencement date: 28 August, 2012