# 2005 in Australian television

"none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]]

## Events

* 8 January – Australia Unites: Reach Out To Asia raises $20 million for the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami relief effort. It is also the first time that Australia's three major commercial television stations have co-operated to broadcast such an event.
* 31 January – ABC starts its new afternoon wrapper programme named off its children's website called RollerCoaster with host Elliot Spencer.
* 3 February – American science fiction drama series Lost premieres on the Seven Network.
* 12 February – Australia's Funniest Home Video Show returns and starts 2005 when AFHVS became Australia's Funniest Home Videos with a funky major revamp, a monster-revamped funky instrumental theme music and a relocation from Melbourne back to Sydney. This is the very first episode to be filmed at Nine's Sydney studios since 1999.
* 22 February – In The Price Is Right, contestant Joanne Segeviano won a record-breaking mega showcase of A$664,667 (about US$406,274.45), setting a record of becoming the largest winner in the show's franchise worldwide that would held on for exactly three years, until it was surpassed by Adam Rose's total of US1,153,908 (approximately A$1.5 million).
* 7 March – ABC launches a brand new digital channel ABC2.
* 13 April – The Seven Network's Melbourne headquarters suffer a 30-minute blackout, causing the network to be knocked off air nationwide. This resulted in Blue Heelers being interrupted in the midst of a four-part storyline; this episode is repeated the following week in all markets except Perth (where, due to the time difference, it was Home and Away which was interrupted).
* 26 April – The Great Outdoors host Tom Williams and his partner Kym Johnson win the second season of Dancing with the Stars.
* 1 May – Rove McManus wins the 2005 TV WEEK Gold Logie.
* 15 May – Random wins the first season of The X Factor, based on the British namesake singing competition, making them the first-ever group to win the show since the franchise's debut in 2004. Despite the cancellation following the first season, the series returned after a five-year hiatus that would air for seven more seasons until 2016.
* 25 May – Graham Kennedy dies at age 71. The network on which most of his shows aired, the Nine Network, passes up the offer to broadcast his funeral but Seven axes Nine's coverage, picks it up and wins it. Nine does eventually show parts of the funeral live.
* June – Deal or No Deal host Andrew O'Keefe replaces Chris Reason as co-host when the title Sunday Sunrise became Weekend Sunrise.
* 26 June – Douglas Wood is interviewed by Sandra Sully about his time as a captive after Network Ten pays a reported $400,000 for an exclusive interview.
* 22 July – Hi-5 celebrated its 300th episode.
* 15 August – Big Brother: Greg Mathew, along with twin brother David Mathew, also known as "The Logan Twins" is announced the winner of the fifth series.
* 20 August – Cheez TV ends after 10-year run with Jade Gatt and Ryan Lappin and it will be replaced by a new weekday morning children's cartoon programme Toasted TV.
* 22 August – Network Ten debuts another weekday morning children's cartoon programme called Toasted TV presented by Pip Russell and Dan Sweetman replacing Cheez TV.
* 25 August – After a one-year hiatus, The Mole returns to Australian television for its fifth season, hosted by Tom Williams after its original host Grant Bowler was unavailable due to a prior commitment.
* 22 September – The final episode of Australian medical drama series MDA airs on ABC.
* 17 October – Rob "Coach" Fulton, a resident from Sydney, becomes the first ever person to win $1 million on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. Just four episodes later, another resident from Sydney, Martin Flood, became the second and final person won the top prize, amid allegations of cheating.
* 27 October – Liz Cantor wins the fifth season of The Mole, taking home $203,000 in prize money. John Whitehall is revealed as the Mole, and Craig Murrell is the runner-up. Cantor would later embark on a role with Channel Seven in Brisbane as its fill-in weather presenter.
* 8 November – Home and Away actress Ada Nicodemou and her partner Aric Yegudkin win the third season of Dancing with the Stars.
* 21 November – Kate DeAraugo wins the third season of Australian Idol.
* 24 November – The very last ever episode of The Price Is Right goes to air on the Nine Network after a 5-year run then a 2-year run. The show was axed due to the strong competitions of rival Seven Network game show Deal or No Deal. This was host Larry Emdur's final appearance on Nine, before defecting to the Seven Network, where he remains to this day.
* 27 November – American science fiction fantasy series Smallville switches over to air on Network Ten.
* 30 November – American animated science fiction sitcom Futurama created by Matt Groening the creator of The Simpsons switches over to air on Network Ten joining The Simpsons as part of Happy Hour shown every Wednesday from 7:30 pm.
* 2 December – A Current Affair again draws with a final goodbye with Ray Martin in the hot-seat before semi-retiring for the very last time. As the program is rested for six weeks to try out a major reliable revamp, he is definitely to be replaced by Tracy Grimshaw from 2006 onwards. Grimshaw quits the Today show after 9 years as co-host. She will be replaced by former-Ten News anchor Jessica Rowe effective from 30 January 2006, then soon axed due to poor ratings. ACA returned on 30 January 2006
* 5 December – Wheel of Fortune returns to Channel Seven with a title Larry Emdur & Laura Csortan’s Wheel of Fortune, with Larry Emdur & Laura Csortan as both hosts. Emdur & Csortan (as Larry & Laura) became the Wheel's third and final hosting partnership since mirroring their welcome scene with Baby John Burgess & Adriana Xenides (as Burgo and Adriana, as they welcome the show together from 1995 to 1996), between 1984 and 1996 and Rob Elliott & Sophie Falkiner (as Rob and Sophie) between 1999 and 2003. The final edition of the Larry Emdur & Laura Csortan’s Wheel of Fortune was screened on 28 July 2006. Its return, host and letter turner was announced on Sunrise on 18 November 2005. The original series later returned with 20 unaired episodes in August 2006 featuring Steve Omecke and Sophie Falkiner as the last separate hosts, and aired in its 10am slot only for five weeks until 1 September.
* 15 December – American animated sitcom American Dad! debuts on the Seven Network.
* 16 December – Good Morning Australia ends with a final goodbye after a 14-year run on Network Ten from the studios of ATV-10 first out of Nunawading in 1992, then from Como Centre, South Yarra from 1993 onwards. Host Bert Newton leaves Channel Ten and signs up and returns to Nine Network to host game show Bert's Family Feud. The following year, Good Morning Australia time slot was replaced by 9am with David and Kim hosted by former Getaway reporter David Reyne and former National Nine News/Nightline presenter, Kim Watkins who both moved from the Nine Network to Channel Ten.

### New channels

* 7 March – ABC2
* 5 December – Playhouse Disney

## Debuts

| Program | Channel | Debut date |
| RocKwiz | SBS | 31 January |
| RollerCoaster | ABC | 31 January |
| Medical Emergency | Seven Network | February |
| Aussie Queer Eye for the Straight Guy | Network Ten | 9 February |
| Spicks and Specks | ABC | 9 February |
| Streetsmartz | Nine Network | 4 March |
| Blue Water High | ABC | 11 May |
| Temptation | Nine Network | 30 May |
| The Adventures of Bottle Top Bill and His Best Friend Corky | ABC | 1 June |
| Last Man Standing | Seven Network | 6 June |
| Outback House | ABC | 12 June |
| Toasted TV | Network Ten | 22 August |
| Holly's Heroes | Nine Network | 16 September |
| Australian Princess | Network Ten | 5 October |
| 20 to 1 | Nine Network | 13 October |
| The Surgeon | Network Ten | 13 October |
| The Ronnie Johns Half Hour | Network Ten | October |
| Speaking in Tongues | SBS | 7 November |
| headLand | Seven Network | 15 November |
| Larry Emdur & Laura Csortan's Wheel of Fortune | Seven Network | 5 December |
| Lonely Planet Six Degrees | SBS | 17 December |
| Eclipse Music TV | Seven Network | 2005 |
| Ready Steady Cook | Network Ten | 2005 |

### Subscription television

| Program | Channel | Debut date |
| Australia's Next Top Model | FOX8 | 11 January |
| Camp Orange | Nickelodeon | 18 February |

## New international programming

| Program | Channel | Debut date |
| Altered Statesman | ABC TV | 3 January |
| Dave the Barbarian | Seven Network | 8 January |
| Poko | ABC TV | 24 January |
| ChalkZone | ABC TV | 24 January |
| CSI: NY | Nine Network | 25 January |
| Desperate Housewives | Seven Network | 31 January |
| Shoebox Zoo | ABC TV | 1 February |
| Medium | Network Ten | 2 February |
| Lost | Seven Network | 3 February |
| Ozzy and Drix | Nine Network | 6 February |
| Shameless | SBS | 7 February |
| I Dream | ABC TV | 7 February |
| Winx Club | Network Ten | 7 February |
| / Totally Spies! | Network Ten | 7 February |
| Oobi | ABC TV | 8 February |
| Funky Valley | ABC TV | 8 February |
| SD Gundam Force | Network Ten | 10 February |
| Dragon Booster | ABC TV | 24 February |
| Little Red Tractor | Nine Network | 5 March |
| Agatha Christie's Marple | ABC TV | 6 March |
| / The Tribe | ABC2 | 7 March |
| //// ToddWorld | ABC TV | 16 March |
| Nighty Night | ABC TV | 23 March |
| Baby Looney Tunes | Nine Network | 2 April |
| Dragon | ABC TV | 4 April |
| / Tupu | ABC TV | 11 April |
| Brandy and Mr. Whiskers | Seven Network | 16 April |
| Fireman Sam (2003) | ABC TV | 20 April |
| So Frenchy, So Chic | SBS | 23 April |
| Christopher Crocodile | ABC2 | 26 April |
| // Faireez | Network Ten | 29 April |
| / The Hydronauts | ABC TV | 2 May |
| I am Not an Animal | ABC TV | 4 May |
| Flatmania | ABC TV | 12 May |
| Barney | ABC2 | 18 May |
| Doctor Who (2005) | ABC TV | 21 May |
| Star Wars: Clone Wars | Network Ten | 26 May |
| Mega Man NT Warrior | Network Ten | 30 May |
| Bronski and Bernstein | SBS | 2 June |
| / Sophie's World | SBS | 24 June |
| Taken | Nine Network | 5 July |
| BB3B | ABC TV | 8 July |
| American Dragon: Jake Long | Seven Network | 16 July |
| Hot Wheels AcceleRacers | Network Ten | 30 July |
| Gordon the Garden Gnome | ABC TV | 8 August |
| Being Ian | ABC TV | 10 August |
| / Trollz | Network Ten | 25 August |
| Spitfire Ace | ABC TV | 1 September |
| Transformers: Cybertron | Network Ten | 3 September |
| Bob the Builder: Project Build It | ABC TV | 13 September |
| Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex | SBS | 15 September |
| Battle B-Daman | Seven Network | 18 September |
| Grey's Anatomy | Seven Network | 26 September |
| Global Grover | ABC TV | 3 October |
| Charlie and Lola | ABC TV | 3 October |
| Planet Cook | ABC TV | 3 October |
| / Planet Sketch | ABC TV | 7 October |
| // W.I.T.C.H. | Seven Network | 9 October |
| / Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! | Seven Network | 9 October |
| Fifi and the Flowertots | ABC TV | 20 October |
| Pet Alien | Network Ten | 22 October |
| Pitt & Kantrop | ABC TV | 31 October |
| / Pocoyo | ABC TV | 8 November |
| / Lazy Lucy | ABC TV | 9 November |
| The F***ing Fulfords | ABC TV | 10 November |
| Ghost Whisperer | Seven Network | 29 November |
| Bromwell High | ABC TV | 30 November |
| King Arthur's Disasters | ABC TV | 15 December |
| American Dad! | Seven Network | 15 December |
| Bertha | ABC2 | 15 December |
| Psychic Detectives | Nine Network | 2005 |
| The Benefactor | Seven Network | 2005 |
| Ebb and Flo | ABC TV | 2005 |
| Mentors | ABC TV | 2005 |

### Subscription television

| Program | Channel | Debut date |
| American Casino | Discovery Channel | 3 January |
| Brandy & Mr. Whiskers | Disney Channel | 3 January |
| Don't Drop the Coffin | The LifeStyle Channel | 3 January |
| Unfabulous | Nickelodeon | 31 January |
| Making Spaces | The LifeStyle Channel | 1 February |
| Property Ladder | The LifeStyle Channel | 2 February |
| Blue's Room | Nickelodeon/Nick Jr | March |
| Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares | The LifeStyle Channel | 9 March |
| Love Is in the Heir | E! | 21 March |
| Gastineau Girls, The The Gastineau Girls | E! | April 2005 |
| Suite Life of Zack & Cody, The The Suite Life of Zack & Cody | Disney Channel | 15 April 2005 |
| Green Wing | UKTV | June |
| Meet the Barkers | MTV | 16 June 2005 |
| Meet Diego! | Nick Jr | July/August |
| Zoey 101 | Nickelodeon | July/August |
| Pet Alien | Cartoon Network | 25 July |
| Hogan Knows Best Hogan Knows Best | VH1 | 12 August 2005 |
| Rescue Me | Fox8 | 26 September |
| Breaking Bonaduce Breaking Bonaduce | VH1 | October 2005 |
| One Piece | Cartoon Network | 2005 |

## Programming changes
### Changes to network affiliations

This is a list of programs which made their premiere on an Australian television network that had previously premiered on another Australian television network. The networks involved the switch of allegiances are predominantly both free-to-air networks or both subscription television networks. Programs have their free-to-air/subscription television premiere, after previously premiering on the 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.

#### Domestic

| Program | New Network | Previous Network | Date |
| Bambaloo | ABC TV | Seven Network | 11 July |

#### International

| Program | New Network | Previous Network | Date |
| Engie Benjy | ABC2 | ABC Kids (now defunct) | 7 March |
| Boohbah | ABC2 | ABC TV | 7 March |
| Play with Me Sesame | ABC2 | ABC TV | 7 March |
| / Inuk | ABC2 | ABC Kids (now defunct) | 7 March |
| / Starhill Ponies | ABC2 | ABC Kids (now defunct) | 7 March |
| Bob the Builder | ABC2 | ABC Kids (now defunct) | 7 March |
| Batfink | ABC2 | ABC Kids (now defunct) | 12 March |
| Molly's Gang | ABC2 | ABC Kids (now defunct) | 1 April |
| The Wombles (1996) | ABC2 | ABC Kids (now defunct) | 12 April |
| Angel | Network Ten | Seven Network | 29 April |
| Sex and the City | Network Ten | Nine Network | May |
| Spider! | ABC2 | ABC TV | 1 June |
| / The Little Lulu Show | ABC2 | ABC TV/ABC Kids (now defunct) | 28 June |
| / Dragon Tales | Cartoon Network | Fox Kids | 14 November |
| Smallville | Network Ten | Nine Network | 27 November |
| Futurama | Network Ten | Seven Network | 30 November |
| The Human Body | Network Ten | ABC TV | 3 December |

#### Free-to-air premieres

This is a list of programs which made their premiere on Australian free-to-air television that had previously premiered on Australian subscription television. Programs may still air on the original subscription television network.

### International

| Program | Free-to-air network | Subscription network | Date |
| MythBusters | SBS TV | Discovery Channel | 3 January |

#### Subscription premieres

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.

### International

| Program | Subscription network | Free-to-air network | Date |
| What I Like About You What I Like About You | Nickelodeon | Nine Network | 31 January |
| She-Ra: Princess of Power | Cartoon Network | Seven Network | 31 October |
| Bob the Builder | Disney Channel | ABC TV | 2005 |

## Specials

| Program | Channel | Debut date |
| Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo (Repeat) | Seven Network | 27 March |
| 2005 Kids' Choice Awards 2005 Kids' Choice Awards | Nickelodeon | 23 April |
| Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie | Seven Network | 31 October |

## Television shows
### 1960s

* Four Corners (1961–present)

### 2000s
#### 2001

* Big Brother (2001–2008, 2012–2014)
* All Aussie Adventures (2001–2002, 2017)

#### 2002

* Kath & Kim (2002–2007)

#### 2003

* Australian Idol (2003–2009)
* Deal or No Deal (2003–2013)

#### 2004

* Border Security: Australia's Front Line (2004–present)
* Dancing with the Stars (2004–present)

## Ending / resting this year

| Date | Show | Channel | Debut |
| January 2005 | Wheel of Fortune (Wheel of Fortune will not be reinstated on Channel Seven until December 2005 with a major-revamped set and the theme music and font remained) | Seven Network | 1981 |
| 13 January | The Cooks | Network Ten | 18 October 2004 |
| 23 February 2005 | Aussie Queer Eye for the Straight Guy | Network Ten | 9 February 2005 |
| 6 May | The Big Arvo | Seven Network | 1 February 2001 |
| 13 May 2005 | Our Place | Nine Network | 8 April 2005 |
| 29 May 2005 | Celebrity Circus | Nine Network | 1 May 2005 |
| 29 May | My Restaurant Rules | Seven Network | 15 February 2004 |
| 5 June 2005 | Let Loose Live | Seven Network | 29 May 2005 |
| 22 July 2005 | Scooter: Secret Agent | Network Ten | 28 January 2005 |
| 31 July 2005 | Outback House | ABC | 12 June 2005 |
| 20 August | Cheez TV | Network Ten | 10 July 1995 |
| 31 August 2005 | We Can Be Heroes: Finding The Australian of the Year | ABC | 27 July 2005 |
| 22 September | MDA | ABC | 23 July 2002 |
| October 2005 | The Alice | Nine Network | 28 September 2005 |
| 25 October 2005 | Last Man Standing | Seven Network | 6 June 2005 |
| 28 October | The Mole | Seven Network | 27 February 2000 |
| 18 November | Strictly Dancing | ABC | 13 February 2004 |
| 26 November | The Price Is Right | Nine Network | 23 June 2003 |
| 1 December 2005 | The Surgeon | Network Ten | 13 October 2005 |
| 4 December | 7 Days | ABC | 4 August 2001 |
| 9 December 2005 | The New Tomorrow | Seven Network | 17 September 2005 |
| 16 December | GMA with Bert Newton | Network Ten | 1991 |
| 28 December | The Secret Life of Us | Network Ten | 16 July 2001 |

## Miniseries
### International

| Miniseries | Network | Airdate(s) |
| North and South | ABC TV | 8, 15, 22, 29 May |