6 January – Rob Elliott takes over as host of Wheel of Fortune, after the failed attempt last year with long-time Sale of the Century quizmaster Tony Barber as host. The program starts 1997 without Adriana Xenides, as she takes long-term leave due to ill health. She would return to the puzzleboard in July. Her place is filled by ex-Perfect Match hostess Kerrie Friend. After a notable absence throughout 1996 due in part to hosting Family Feud for the last remainder of the year, John Deeks returns to the booth as announcer – the position had been held by David Day in Adelaide, and Ron E Sparks in Sydney.
3 February – Australian drama serial Heartbreak High switches over to air on ABC at 6:00 pm from Monday to Thursdays.
13 June – Australian children's television series Bananas in Pyjamas appears for the first time in Singapore on Channel 5.
26 June – British sitcom Mr. Bean starring Rowan Atkinson as the titular character switches over to the Seven Network a year after finishing up on the ABC.
11 October – In Neighbours, Helen Daniels dies in her sleep at a family get together. The last ever of the original 1985 cast members Anne Haddy departs the series, she died two years later after a long illness.
This is a list of programs which made their premiere on Australian subscription television that had previously premiered on Australian free-to-air television. Programs may still air on the original free-to-air television network.
This is a list of programs which made their premiere on an Australian television network that had premiered on another Australian television network. The networks involved in the switch of allegiances are predominantly both free-to-air networks or both subscription television networks. Programs that have their free-to-air/subscription television premiere, after having premiered on the opposite platform (free-to air to subscription/subscription to free-to air) are not included. In some cases, programs may still air on the original television network. This occurs predominantly with programs shared between subscription television networks.
^Freeman, Jane (1 June 1997). "A festival in your living room". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Media. p. 15. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
^Jane, Freeman (22 June 1997). "Docos hold the faithful". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Media. p. 13. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
^ a b cWeiniger, Peter (27 August 1997). "(Cable Watch)". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax Media. p. 14. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
^ a bElder, Bruce (30 March 1997). "The new MUSIC WARS". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Media. p. 13. On March 20, ARC disappeared to be replaced by MTV, Music Television, and on April 18 RED will be replaced by Channel [V].
^Thomas, Brett (5 April 1997). "GET REAL, WORLD – MTV IS WHERE IT'S AT". The Sun-Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Media. p. 6.
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Blazing Dragons
The Story Store
Orson and Olivia