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Opal

Outback Opal Hunters is an Australian factual television show which follows opal miners in Australia. The series is produced by Prospero Productions and began on the Discovery Channel on 8 February 2018. The series has been broadcast in over 100 countries including the United Kingdom and United States.

The fifth season concluded on 26 November 2020. The sixth season is set to premiere on 11 February 2021.

Premise

The series follows opal miners in various locations of Australia as they strive to reach their individually set season target (measured in Australian dollars).

Production

In August 2017 it was announced Discovery had commissioned Outback Opal Hunters, a factual series from Prospero Productions which follows opal miners across New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD) and Coober Pedy, South Australia (SA).[1] The eight episode first season premiered on 8 February 2018.[2] In September 2018 it was announced the series had been renewed for a 13 episode second season which would expand into Western Australia (WA).[3] The second season which was filmed in Lightning Ridge (NSW), Opalton (QLD), Coober Pedy (SA) and Laverton (WA) premiered on 31 January 2019.[4] The third season consisting of eight episodes was filmed across Lightning Ridge (NSW), Opalton (QLD), Laverton (WA), White Cliffs (NSW), Sheepyard (NSW) and Mintabie (SA). The season premiered on 17 October 2019.[5][6] Season four which consisted of 12 episodes premiered on 6 February 2020.[7] The fifth season premiered on 8 October 2020.[8] In December 2020 it was reported as part of Foxtel's 2021 Upfronts the series would return for its sixth season on 11 February 2021.[9]

Cast

Name Nickname Location Seasons
1 2[3][4] 3[5] 4[7] 5[8]
Justin Lang The Rookies Coober Pedy, SA Main Does not appear Does not appear
Daniel Becker Main Does not appear
Kelly Tishler The Opal Queen Lightning Ridge, NSW Main Does not appear
Mark Tishler Does not appear Main
Dwayne Hanrahan Main
Col Duff Various[a] Opalton, QLD Main Does not appear
Aaron Grotjahn Main
Greg Geran Main Does not appear
Ron Selig Does not appear Main
Peter Cooke Various[b] Lightning Ridge, NSW Main
Mick Cooke Main Does not appear
Sam Westra Does not appear Main
Adam Piromanski, Cassidy Ricketts, Peter Piromanski, and Vikki Piromanski The Fire Crew Western Australia Does not appear Main Does not appear
Rod Manning and Les Walsh The Bushmen Sheepyard, NSW Does not appear Main
Carl Grice and Mary McMillan The Brits White Cliffs, NSW Does not appear Main Does not appear
Jaymin Sullivan, Noah McDonough and James ‘JC’ Caruana The Young Guns White Cliffs, NSW Does not appear Main
Rodney Pearse, Bayden Pearse and Elisa Grobe The Tunnel Rats Mintabie, SA Does not appear Main Does not appear
Gavan McFarlan, Connie McFarlan and Teagan McFarlan — Lightning Ridge, NSW Does not appear Main Does not appear
Chris Cheal — Lightning Ridge, NSW Does not appear Main
Oscar Cheal Main
Farren Lamb Main
Rory Cheal Does not appear Main
Paul Coon, Mark I’Anson and John Nassar The Blacklighters Coober Pedy, SA Does not appear Main
  1. ^ For seasons one and two, Col Duff, Aaron Grotjahn and Greg Geran were featured as a team called Col's Crew. After Duff departed the team, the crew was referred to as the Boulder Boys.
  2. ^ For seasons one and two the team was nicknamed The Cooke Brothers. Following the departure of Mick Cooke in season two, the team was later nicknamed The Bros for seasons three and four before dropping the nickname in season five.

Episodes

Series overview

Series overview
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
188 February 2018 (2018-02-08)29 March 2018 (2018-03-29)
21321 January 2019 (2019-01-21)25 April 2019 (2019-04-25)
3817 October 2019 (2019-10-17)5 December 2019 (2019-12-05)
4126 February 2020 (2020-02-06)23 April 2020 (2020-04-23)
588 October 2020 (2020-10-08)26 November 2020 (2020-11-26)

Season 1 (2018)

Outback Opal Hunters season one episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal air dateAustralia viewers
11"Opal Fever"8 February 2018 (2018-02-08)71,000[10]
22"The Sky is Falling"15 February 2018 (2018-02-15)73,000[11]
33"The Legend Returns"22 February 2018 (2018-02-22)69,000[12]
44"Attack of the Cacti"1 March 2018 (2018-03-01)75,000[13]
55"Brother vs. Brother"8 March 2018 (2018-03-08)71,000[14]
66"Rookies are the Bomb"15 March 2018 (2018-03-15)53,000[15]
77"Cave-Ins and Explosions"22 March 2018 (2018-03-22)41,000[16]
88"Aerial Opal Shopping"29 March 2018 (2018-03-29)43,000[17]

Season 2 (2019)

Outback Opal Hunters season two episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal air dateAustralia viewers
91"Rookie Mistakes"31 January 2019 (2019-01-31)37,000[18]
102"Wild Wild West"7 February 2019 (2019-02-07)38,000[19]
113"Going Under"14 February 2019 (2019-02-14)41,000[20]
124"Risky Business"21 February 2019 (2019-02-21)60,000[21]
135"Hot Hot Hot"28 February 2019 (2019-02-28)52,000[22]
146"Machine Mayhem"7 March 2019 (2019-03-07)54,000[23]
157"Against All Odds"14 March 2019 (2019-03-14)N/A
168"Blue Fire Opal or Bust"21 March 2019 (2019-03-21)47,000[24]
179"Race Against Time"28 March 2019 (2019-03-28)35,000[25]
1810"Desperate Times, Desperate Measures"4 April 2019 (2019-04-04)45,000[26]
1911"Battling Back"11 April 2019 (2019-04-11)44,000[27]
2012"Make or Break"18 April 2019 (2019-04-18)38,000[28]
2113"Last Chance"25 April 2019 (2019-04-25)50,000[29]

Season 3 (2019)

Outback Opal Hunters season three episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal air dateAustralia viewers
221"Episode 1"17 October 2019 (2019-10-17)63,000[30]
232"Episode 2"24 October 2019 (2019-10-24)67,000[31]
243"Episode 3"31 October 2019 (2019-10-31)60,000[32]
254"Episode 4"7 November 2019 (2019-11-07)62,000[33]
265"Episode 5"14 November 2019 (2019-11-14)62,000[34]
276"Episode 6"21 November 2019 (2019-11-21)59,000[35]
287"Episode 7"28 November 2019 (2019-11-28)68,000[36]
298"Episode 8"5 December 2019 (2019-12-05)59,000[37]

Season 4 (2020)

Outback Opal Hunters season four episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal air dateAustralia viewers
301"Episode 1"6 February 2020 (2020-02-06)45,000[38]
312"Episode 2"13 February 2020 (2020-02-13)56,000[39]
323"Episode 3"20 February 2020 (2020-02-20)66,000[40]
334"Episode 4"27 February 2020 (2020-02-27)71,000[41]
345"Episode 5"5 March 2020 (2020-03-05)55,000[42]
356"Episode 6"12 March 2020 (2020-03-12)52,000[43]
367"Episode 7"19 March 2020 (2020-03-19)49,000[44]
378"Episode 8"26 March 2020 (2020-03-26)60,000[45]
389"Episode 9"2 April 2020 (2020-04-02)62,000[46]
3910"Episode 10"9 April 2020 (2020-04-09)75,000[47]
4011"Episode 11"16 April 2020 (2020-04-16)99,000[48]
4112"Episode 12"23 April 2020 (2020-04-23)95,000[49]

Season 5 (2020)

Outback Opal Hunters season five episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal air dateAustralia viewers
421"Episode 1"8 October 2020 (2020-10-08)58,000[50]
432"Episode 2"15 October 2020 (2020-10-15)54,000[51]
443"Episode 3"22 October 2020 (2020-10-22)58,000[52]
454"Episode 4"29 October 2020 (2020-10-29)55,000[53]
465"Episode 5"5 November 2020 (2020-11-05)50,000[54]
476"Episode 6"12 November 2020 (2020-11-12)71,000[55]
487"Episode 7"19 November 2020 (2020-11-19)73,000[56]
498"Episode 8"26 November 2020 (2020-11-26)69,000[57]

Broadcast

As of May 2020 the series has been broadcast in over 100 countries.[58]

Reception

Ratings

The series has been a domestic and international ratings success. Executive Producer Darren Chau speaking with Mediaweek in May 2020 said "Aussie Gold Hunters has been the #1 factual series on Foxtel for the last three successive years. Outback Opal Hunters is right behind it." Additionally he said in the United Kingdom "Outback Opal Hunters is top five on Quest". The series premiered in the United States on Discovery Channel in November 2019 where its success saw the series roll straight into the second season.[58]

Accolades

The series was nominated for Best Documentary Series at the Screen Producers Australia Awards in 2018.[59]

Aussie Gold Hunters

Premise

The series follows gold miners in various locations of Western Australia and Victoria as they strive to reach their individually set season target (measured in ounces of gold). They use a variety of mining techniques including use of metal detectors of surface or excavated soil for gold nuggets; and sluicing, dry blowing or gold cyanidation for gold particles.

Production

The first season of eight episodes produced by Electric Pictures premiered on 15 September 2016.[60] In March 2017 the series was renewed for a 10 episode second season,[61] which premiered on 6 July 2017.[62] In March 2018 the series was renewed for a 13 episode third season,[63] which premiered on 31 May 2018.[64] In September 2018 the series was renewed for a 13 episode fourth season,[65] which premiered on 2 May 2019.[66] In Octobee 2019 the series was renewed for 40 episodes across two seasons.[67] The 20 episode fifth season premiered on 30 April 2020.[68]

Cast

Name Nickname Seasons
1[60] 2[62] 3[64] 4[66] 5[68]
Christine and Greg Clark The Gold Gypsies Main
Vernon Strange The Dirt Dogs Main Does not appear
Leon Marsh Main Does not appear
Jake Larsen Does not appear Main
Marco Does not appear Main Does not appear
Kal Henderson, Leigh Henderson, Steve Bult Does not appear Main
Henri Chassaing and Kellie Carter — Main Does not appear
Rick Fisher — Does not appear Main Does not appear
Ted and Lecky Mahoney — Does not appear Main Main Does not appear
Tyler Mahoney Does not appear
Alex Stead and Eric Richards The Scrapers Does not appear Main Does not appear
Neville Perry and Mick Clark Victoria Diggers Does not appear Main
Marcus McGuire and Linden Brownley — Does not appear Main
Rob Dale and Rob ‘Turbo’ Linton The Gold Timers Does not appear Main
Shane Calegari and Russell Nash — Does not appear Main
Paul Mackie, Jake Armstrong, John and Mike The Dust Devils Does not appear Main
Brent Shannon and Ethan West The Poseidon Crew Does not appear Guest Main

Parker's Trails crossover

In 2020, season four of Gold Rush: Parker's Trail featured gold mining in Australia.[69][70] The season saw former Aussie Gold Hunters' cast member Tyler Mahoney in a main role.[69][70] There were also guest appearances by former cast members Jake Larsen demonstrating heap leaching,[71] as well as Ted and Lecky Mahoney teaching the process of pegging land leases.[72]

Reception

The series has been a local and international ratings sucess.

For a few years now it has been one of the most successful shows on Foxtel

— Andrew Ogilvie (Electric Picture’s founder and CEO), [73]

In addition, in the United Kingdom where the series is broadcast on Quest Aussie Gold Hunters is consistently the channel's top rating show of the week as well as frequently ranking in the top 10 of non-public broadcasting shows.[73][67]

Broadcast

As of May 2020, Aussie Gold Hunters has been broadcast in 125 countries with an estimated reach of 40 million viewers.[73]

Fox Crime Merger

Fox Crime
CountryAustralia
Broadcast areaAustralia
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format576i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Ownership
OwnerFoxtel Networks
Sister channelsFoxtel Networks channels
History
Launched1 January 2014; 10 years ago (2014-01-01)
Former names
  • TVHits
    (2014–2019)
Availability
Streaming media
Foxtel GoChannel 118

Fox Crime is an Australian subscription television channel primarily screening crime drama television series. The channel launched on 7 November 2019, replacing TVHits.

History

TVHits (2014–2019)

In August 2013 it was announced Foxtel had failed to complete negotiations with the TV1 General Entertainment Partnership for a new carriage deal for their channel TV1, an Australian general entertainment channel dedicated to hit television series. As a result, Foxtel planned to replace it with another general entertainment channel once TV1's carriage deal had expired.[74] In October 2013 it was announced TVHits, a channel owned and operated by Foxtel Networks, would replace TV1 on 1 January 2014.[75][76]

On 1 January 2014, the channel launched on pay television provider Foxtel (which included its streaming service Foxtel Go as well as its IPTV service Foxtel Play)[75][77] as well as on Australian IPTV provider Fetch TV.[78][79]

On 1 January 2019 TVHits ceased broadcasting on Fetch TV as the provider and TVHits parent company Foxtel were unable to renew their supply agreement.[80]

TVHits programming

At launch, TVHits' programming primarily consisted of hit American shows from Warner Bros., Carsey-Werner, Sony Pictures Television, CBS Studios International and NBCUniversal.[75][76][77] However, following the rebrand of 111 on 1 November 2015, the channel's sitcoms moved to 111 and as a result, the channel became solely focused on dramas.[81][82]

Fox Crime (2019–present)

In late 2019 Foxtel announced they would launch four new entertainment channels on 7 November 2019, one of which being Fox Crime.[83][84] Fox Crime was described as offering crime and mystery series such as the CSI and NCIS franchises.[84] This new channel would replace the existing TVHits which offered similar content. These new Fox-branded channels were a means of building and consolidating the Fox brand to combat increasing competition in the subscription television marketplace.[85]

Programming

Former Programming

As TVHits

See also

References

  1. ^ Knox, David (24 August 2017). "Outback Opal Hunters series for Discovery". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  2. ^ "OUTBACK OPAL HUNTERS World Premiere Thursday, 8 February on Discovery Channel". Screenwest. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  3. ^ a b Knox, David (11 September 2018). "Renewed: Outback Opal Hunters, Aussie Gold Hunters". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  4. ^ a b Knox, David (19 December 2018). "Returning: Outback Opal Hunters". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  5. ^ a b Knox, David (4 September 2019). "Returning: Opal Outback Hunters". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  6. ^ Knox, David (17 October 2019). "Outback Opal Hunters strike it big". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  7. ^ a b Knox, David (7 January 2020). "Returning: Outback Opal Hunters". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Outback Opal Hunters Returns". Screenwest. 8 September 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  9. ^ Knox, David (15 December 2020). "Foxtel: 2021 highlights". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  10. ^ Knox, David (9 February 2018). "Thursday 8 February 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  11. ^ "Thursday 15 February 2018". MediaSpy. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  12. ^ Knox, David (23 February 2018). "Thursday 22 February 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  13. ^ Knox, David (2 March 2018). "Thursday 1 March 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  14. ^ Knox, David (9 March 2018). "Thursday 8 March 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  15. ^ "Thursday 15 March 2018". MediaSpy. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  16. ^ Knox, David (23 March 2018). "Thursday 22 March 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  17. ^ Knox, David (30 March 2018). "Thursday 29 March 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  18. ^ Knox, David (1 February 2019). "Thursday 31 January 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  19. ^ Knox, David (8 February 2019). "Thursday 7 February 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  20. ^ Knox, David (15 February 2019). "Thursday 14 February 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  21. ^ Knox, David (22 February 2019). "Thursday 21 February 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  22. ^ Knox, David (1 March 2019). "Thursday 28 February 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  23. ^ Knox, David (8 March 2019). "Thursday 7 March 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  24. ^ Knox, David (22 March 2019). "Thursday 21 March 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  25. ^ Knox, David (29 March 2019). "Thursday 28 March 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  26. ^ Knox, David (5 April 2019). "Thursday 4 April 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  27. ^ Knox, David (12 April 2019). "Thursday 11 April 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  28. ^ Knox, David (19 April 2019). "Thursday 18 April 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  29. ^ Knox, David (26 April 2019). "Thursday 25 April 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  30. ^ Knox, David (18 October 2019). "Thursday 17 October 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  31. ^ Knox, David (25 October 2019). "Thursday 24 October 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  32. ^ Knox, David (1 November 2019). "Thursday 31 October 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  33. ^ Knox, David (8 November 2019). "Thursday 7 November 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  34. ^ Knox, David (15 November 2019). "Thursday 14 November 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  35. ^ Knox, David (22 November 2019). "Thursday 21 November 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  36. ^ Knox, David (29 November 2019). "Thursday 28 November 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  37. ^ Knox, David (6 December 2019). "Thursday 5 December 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  38. ^ Knox, David (7 February 2020). "Thursday 6 February 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  39. ^ Knox, David (14 February 2020). "Thursday 13 February 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  40. ^ Knox, David (21 February 2020). "Thursday 20 February 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  41. ^ Knox, David (28 February 2020). "Thursday 27 February 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  42. ^ Knox, David (6 March 2020). "Thursday 5 March 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  43. ^ Knox, David (13 March 2020). "Thursday 12 March 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  44. ^ Knox, David (20 March 2020). "Thursday 19 March 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  45. ^ Knox, David (27 March 2020). "Thursday 26 March 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  46. ^ Knox, David (3 April 2020). "Thursday 2 April 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  47. ^ Knox, David (10 April 2020). "Thursday 9 April 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  48. ^ Knox, David (17 April 2020). "Thursday 16 April 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  49. ^ Knox, David (24 April 2020). "Thursday 23 April 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  50. ^ Knox, David (9 October 2020). "Thursday 8 October 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  51. ^ Knox, David (16 October 2020). "Thursday 15 October 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  52. ^ Knox, David (23 October 2020). "Thursday 22 October 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  53. ^ Knox, David (30 October 2020). "Thursday 29 October 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  54. ^ Knox, David (6 November 2020). "Thursday 5 November 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  55. ^ Knox, David (13 November 2020). "Thursday 12 November 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  56. ^ Knox, David (20 November 2020). "Thursday 19 November 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  57. ^ Knox, David (27 November 2020). "Thursday 26 November 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  58. ^ a b Manning, James (6 May 2020). "How Discovery sends Aussie content worldwide including United States". Mediaweek. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  59. ^ Knox, David (23 November 2018). "Screen Producers Awards 2018: winners". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  60. ^ a b Knox, David (12 September 2016). "Airdate: Aussie Gold Hunters". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  61. ^ Knox, David (15 March 2017). "Renewed: Aussie Gold Hunters". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  62. ^ a b Knox, David (29 June 2017). "Returning: Aussie Gold Hunters". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  63. ^ Knox, David (2 March 2018). "Renewed: Aussie Gold Hunters". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  64. ^ a b Knox, David (23 April 2018). "Returning: Aussie Gold Hunters". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  65. ^ Knox, David (11 September 2018). "Renewed: Outback Opal Hunters, Aussie Gold Hunters". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  66. ^ a b Knox, David (1 April 2019). "Returning: Aussie Gold Hunters". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  67. ^ a b "Precious metal: Discovery orders 40 more eps of Aussie Gold Hunters". Mediaweek. 3 October 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  68. ^ a b Knox, David (25 March 2020). "Returning: Aussie Gold Hunters". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  69. ^ a b "'Parker's Trail': Schnabel Teams Up With Australian Gold Rush Beauty". tvshowsace.com. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  70. ^ a b "Who is Gold Miner & Aussie Beauty, Tyler Mahoney in Gold Rush's New Season?". TVShowCasts.com. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  71. ^ "The Honey Pot". Gold Rush: Parker's Trail. Season 4. Episode 5. Discovery Channel.
  72. ^ "Future Ground". Gold Rush: Parker's Trail. Season 4. Episode 8. Discovery Channel.
  73. ^ a b c Manning, James (5 May 2020). "Aussie Gold Hunters strikes it rich again as new season launches". Mediaweek. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  74. ^ "TV1 to disappear from Foxtel platform". Media Week. 16 August 2013. Archived from the original on 23 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  75. ^ a b c Knox, David (16 October 2013). "TV Hits channel to join Foxtel". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  76. ^ a b Groves, Don (17 October 2013). "Foxtel preps entertainment net". C21. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  77. ^ a b "Foxtel's TVH!TS is the new channel destination for TV's greatest hits from Wednesday, January 1". 16 December 2013. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  78. ^ FetchTV (16 December 2013). "Fetch TV". Facebook. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  79. ^ Davidson, Darren (16 December 2013). "Fetch muscles up before a Foxtel grab". The Australian. Archived from the original on 18 December 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  80. ^ "Disney XD, 111 Funny & TV H!TS are ceasing transmission on Fetch". Optus. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  81. ^ 111 (1 November 2015). "We're now the home of your favourite sitcoms! 111 - very funny! Keep an eye out for the new programs coming to 111 from today…". Facebook. Retrieved 6 January 2016. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  82. ^ 111 (8 November 2015). "Some of your favourite show's such as #Prisoner and #Packedtotherafters have moved to a new home on @TVH!TS". Facebook. Retrieved 6 January 2016. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  83. ^ "FOXTEL announces Four New Channels - Putting the focus on Entertainment and Lifestyle". TV Blackbox. 10 September 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  84. ^ a b "Foxtel confirms date for new FOX-branded entertainment channels". Mediaweek. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  85. ^ "New FOX entertainment channels launch". TV Tonight. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2020.

A-PAC

A-PAC
CountryAustralia
Broadcast areaAustralia
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format576i (SDTV 16:9)
1080i (HDTV)
Ownership
OwnerNews Corp Australia
Sister channelsSky News Australia
Sky News Business Channel
Sky News Weather Channel
History
Launched20 January 2009; 15 years ago (2009-01-20)
ReplacedSky News Election Channel
Replaced bySky News Election Channel (linear channel; 1 May 2016-23 January 2017)
Links
Websitea-pac.tv
Availability
Streaming media
Available free to all internet usershttp://www.a-pac.tv/

A-PAC (/ˈeɪpæk/ AY-pak; Australian Public Affairs Channel) is an Australian 24-hour cable and satellite news channel available on Foxtel and Austar platforms.

History

On 8 December 2008 it was announced that an Australian public affairs channel called A-SPAN (an acronym for Australian Subscription Public Affairs Channel) would launch on 20 January 2009. The channel format is modelled on the American public affairs network C-SPAN. The news came after reports the ABC were considering launching a dedicated public affairs digital channel.[1][2] Prior to launch the channel renamed as A-PAC (an acronym for Australian Public Affairs Channel). A-PAC is a not for profit independent channel funded by Austar and Foxtel, and produced by Sky News Australia.[3][4]

The channel officially launched on the morning of 20 January 2009, with the inauguration of United States President Barack Obama airing on its first day, using a feed from U.S. cable channel C-SPAN.[5][4]

Despite originally planned to occur on 26 April 2009, on 17 May 2009 A-PAC began broadcasting in 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, along with sister channels Sky News Business Channel and Sky News Australia.[6]

On 24 May 2012, Foxtel acquired Austar,[7] which saw Foxtel become the sole stakeholder of A-PAC.

In February 2014, A-PAC had an on-air refresh, as well as launched a revamped website and a new weekly newsletter. In addition, Sky News presenter Helen Dalley was appointed as channel host.[8]

On 1 December 2016, News Corp Australia acquired A-PAC in a purchase which saw the company also acquire full ownership of the Australian News Channel.[9]

Programming

A-PAC content features live broadcasts from Australia's Parliament House in Canberra (including sittings of the House of Representatives, the Senate, parliamentary Committee meetings and political press conferences), the parliaments of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland as well as sittings of the United States Congress, live broadcasts of speeches from the Australian National Press Club and a program which provides coverage of the New Zealand and British parliaments. Material from the United Nations and the European Parliament is also aired.[5][4][1]

Availability

At launch A-PAC was available via satellite and cable television on channel 607; and was later made available by Internet streaming on its website, as well as on free-to-air digital television in Sydney as a trial.[4]

On 15 November 2009, A-PAC's channel location for Foxtel changed from Channel 607 to Channel 648.

From 1 May 2016, the service's linear channel was replaced by Sky News Election Channel, resulting in the service only being available on the Sky News Multiview service and online.[10][11][12] Although the service was originally planned to relaunch as a linear channel on 30 November 2016,[12] this was later postponed,[13] and ultimately the linear channel did not return until 24 January 2017.[14] The relaunch did, however, see A-PAC obtain Sky News Election Channel's HD feed,[15] seeing the channel available in high definition for the first time.

A-PAC content is streamed on the Internet in Windows Media (wmv) formats with a choice of 160 kbit/s and 2 Mbit/s streaming bit rates. However, availability of the Internet-streamed content is limited. The wmv-only format means that A-PAC content cannot be streamed on popular mobile phones such as the iPhone. The audio channel is not streamed separately (as an audio stream), further limiting the potential audience.

References

  1. ^ a b "A-SPAN: it's the new 24/7 pollie telly". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  2. ^ "Rudd hails new A-Span TV network". ABC News. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  3. ^ Knox, David (15 January 2009). "A-PAC Channel nears". TV Tonight. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d Knox, David (20 January 2009). "APAC on the air". TV Tonight. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  5. ^ a b Archer, Lincoln (8 December 2008). "A-SPAN, non-stop public affairs channel, launched". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 December 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "Sky News to broadcast in widescreen". Australian-Media.com.au. 11 April 2009. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2017. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  7. ^ Knox, David (24 May 2012). "Foxtel completes Austar merger". TV Tonight. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  8. ^ Knox, David (11 February 2014). "Helen Dalley appointed A-PAC channel host". TV Tonight. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  9. ^ Battersby, Lucy (1 December 2016). "News Corp buys Sky News in Australia and New Zealand from Seven and Nine". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 April 2017. News Corp now owns Sky News Live, Sky News Business, Sky News Weather, Sky News Multiview, A-PAC Australia's Public Affairs Channel, Sky News New Zealand and Australia Channel {{cite news}}: no-break space character in |quote= at position 19 (help)
  10. ^ "Sky News Election Channel: Foxtel and Sky's new destination for politics junkies". Mediaweek. 26 April 2016. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  11. ^ "Got Foxtel". Foxtel. Archived from the original on 27 April 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Got Foxtel". Foxtel. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  13. ^ Paigeturner (23 November 2016). "SKY NEWS Election channel has been extended until further notice". Foxtel. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  14. ^ Paigeturner (18 January 2017). "Key Customer Updates from 2017". Foxtel. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  15. ^ @FOXTEL_Help (25 January 2017). "A-PAC is expected to continue to be available in HD on channel 648 :)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

External links

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