Craig Hill Media and Consulting
Television
On this day (Australia): In 1956, Australian television began
On 16 September 1956, Australian television began. Television in Australia began experimentally as early as 1929 in Melbourne with radio stations 3DB and 3UZ, and 2UE in Sydney, using the Radiovision system by Gilbert Miles and Donald McDonald, and later from other locations, such as Brisbane in 1934. Mainstream television was launched on 16 September 1956 in Willoughby, New South Wales with Nine Network station TCN-9-Sydney. The new medium was introduced by advertising executive Bruce Gyngell with the … Continue reading
January 29, 1977 – “Roots” premiered on television
January 29, 1977 saw the premiere of Roots, a groundbreaking television program. The eight-episode miniseries, which was broadcast over eight consecutive nights, follows a family from its origins in West Africa through generations of slavery and the end of the Civil War. Roots one of the most-watched television events in American history and a major moment in mainstream … Continue reading
January 26, 1926 – John Logie Baird demonstrates TV
On January 26, 1926, John Logie Baird, a Scottish inventor, gives the first public demonstration of a true television system in London, launching a revolution in communication and entertainment. Baird’s invention, a pictorial-transmission machine he called a “televisor,” used mechanical rotating disks to scan moving images into electronic impulses. This information was then transmitted by … Continue reading
Bedroom Tax may force Doctor Who to be evicted from TARDIS
‘We have discovered a single man claiming housing benefit for a property that appears to have an infinite number of spare rooms,’ said Benefits Officer Kimberley Smalls. ‘He is therefore liable for the most severe under-occupancy penalty.’ The decision means the Doctor faces significant cuts to his housing benefit and he may be forced to … Continue reading
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd back on television
Cabinet Minister Tony Burke was unceremoniously dumped from Seven’s Sunrise program by email yesterday afternoon to make way for Kevin Rudd’s return to the show that made him a political star. Mr Rudd faced off against his old sparring partner Joe Hockey on Sunrise this morning after agreeing early last month to resume duties with … Continue reading
November 10 1969 Sesame Street debuts
On November 10th 1969, “Sesame Street,” a pioneering TV show that would teach generations of young children the alphabet and how to count, made its broadcast debut. “Sesame Street,” with its memorable theme song (“Can you tell me how to get/How to get to Sesame Street”), went on to become the most widely viewed children’s … Continue reading
October 23 1925 Johnny Carson is born
On October 23rd 1925, John William Carson, who would become known to most of America as the longtime host of the popular late-night TV program The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, was born in Corning, Iowa. As host of the highly rated Tonight Show, which aired on NBC from 1962 to 1992, Carson became a … Continue reading
September 24 1966 The Monkees get their first real-life pop hit
On September 24th 1966, the made-for-television Monkees smashed into the real world when their first single, “Last Train To Clarksville,” entered the Billboard Top 40. When producers Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson conceived a situation comedy called The Monkees in 1965, they hoped to create a ratings success by blurring the line between pop music … Continue reading
September 4 2002 Kelly Clarkson wins first American Idol
On September 4th 2002, Kelly Clarkson, a 20-year-old cocktail waitress from Texas, won Season One of American Idol in a live television broadcast from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre. Clarkson came out on top in the amateur singing contest over 23-year-old runner-up Justin Guarini after millions of viewers cast their votes for her by phone. She was … Continue reading
August 1 1981 MTV launches
On August 1st 1981, MTV: Music Television went on the air for the first time ever, with the words (spoken by one of MTV’s creators, John Lack): “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll.” The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” was the first music video to air on the new cable television channel, which initially … Continue reading
April 8 1990 Twin Peaks Premieres
On April 8th 1990, David Lynch’s surreal television drama Twin Peaks premiered on ABC. Immediately, the question on everyone’s mind was “Who killed Laura Palmer?” In the opening episode, the naked body of the beautiful blonde homecoming queen was found washed up on a riverbank wrapped in plastic. This had the effect of throwing the … Continue reading
James Morrison New Host Of TV Top Gear In 2009
James Morrison, the jazz star and major car enthusiast, is the new host of the Aussie version of the TG down under after a major off-season shake-up. Officially, former host Charlie Cox is returning “reluctantly” to the UK for “business reasons”. Unofficially, the whole TG on-air team has taken a hammering from critics who say … Continue reading
Brother Develops HD Sewing Machine
If you’re still watching TV in standard definition, think about wha Brother have developed. They have just announced the world’s first sewing machine with a built-in camera to display your work on an “HD” screen. The QuattroT 6000D seems to have some good ideas. 56 LEDs illuminate the sewing platform while its “InnovEyeT Technology” provides … Continue reading
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