2017 in Australian television
This is a list of Australian television-related events, debuts, finales, and cancellations that are scheduled to occur in 2017, the 62nd year of continuous operation of television in Australia.
Events
January
February
March
April
August
October
December
Television channels
Channel closures
- 23 January – Sky News Election Channel
- 28 February – 31 Digital; succeeded by online streaming service Hitchhike TV
Renamed channels
- 4 December – ABC2 to ABC Comedy
Premieres
Domestic series
International series
Telemovies and miniseries
| Program | Original airdate | Network | Country of origin | Source |
Documentaries
| Program | Original airdate | Network | Country of origin | Source |
Specials
| Program | Original airdate | Network | Country of origin | Source |
| Random and Whacky | Eleven | Australia | ||
| Fanshaw and Crudnut: Attack Of the Slug Santas | 9Go! | Australia |
Programming changes
Changes to network affiliation
Criteria for inclusion in the following list is that Australian premiere episodes will air in Australia for the first time on a new channel. This includes when a program is moved from a free-to-air network's primary channel to a digital multi-channel, as well as when a program moves between subscription television channels – provided the preceding criteria is met. Ended television series which change networks for repeat broadcasts are not included in the list.| Program | Date | New network | Previous network | Source |
| Program | Date | New network | Previous network | Country of origin | Source |
| Bottersnikes and Gumbles | ABC Me | 7TWO | United Kingdom |
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.| Program | Date | Free-to-air network | Subscription network | Country of origin | Source |
Subscription premieres
This is a list of programs which made their debut on Australian subscription television, having previously premiered on Australian free-to-air television. Programs may still air on the original free-to-air television network.| Program | Date | Free-to-air network | Subscription network | Source |
| Long Lost Family | Network Ten | LifeStyle You |
| Program | Date | Free-to-air network | Subscription network | Country of origin | Source |
| State of Affairs | Seven Network | Universal Channel | United States |
Returning programs
Australian produced programs which are returning with a new season after being absent from television from the previous calendar year.| Program | Return date | Network | Original run | Source |
| The Biggest Loser | Network Ten | 2006–2015 | ||
| Hi-5 | 9Go! | 1999–2011 |
Endings
Deaths
- 2 January — Auriel Andrew -, Indigenous Australian county music singer, appeared on numerous television shows including The Reg Lindsay show, as well as guest roles on Australian soaps like A Country Practice and Blue Heelers
- 15 January — Richard Divall, Australian conductor, composer, scholar and Knight to Malta, known for his association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, as a music director
- 28 January — Sandy Gandhi, Indian Australian comedian and newspaper columnist
- 6 February — Ritchie Yorke, Music journalist, author, historian and broadcaster, contributed to numerous television documentary films, including John and Yoko's Year of Peace and wrote The Real Patsy Kline
- 21 February — Joy Hruby, Actress, comedian, TV presenter, filmmaker, author and celebrity agent, with a career spanning over 50 years, best known as the hostess and interviewer on show Joys World on Community Television
- 26 January — Fred Parslow Australian actor of television, film and theatre, appeared in The Sullivans, best known for film role in Alvin Purple and his long association with the Melbourne Theatre Company.
- 3 March — Frances Hargreaves, South African born Australian actress, best known as comedy character of wayward teenager Marilyn McDonald, the daughter of Reg and Edie in Number 96.
- 5 April – Chelsea Brown, American-born star, best known for native production comedy Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, of the latter Australian actress who appeared in Graham Kennedys hit, Blankety Blanks, Number 96 and E Street
- 9 April – John Clarke, New Zealand-born entertainer, portrayed character Fred Dagg, best known as an actor, comedian, writer and satirist in Australia
- 6 May – Val Jellay,, Australian actress of stage, television and film best known for role as Nancy Buckley in The Flying Doctors, and also appeared in Prisoner and Neighbours as Connie O'Rourke.
- 8 May – Lou Richards,, AFL player and coach who transitioned to a successful media career, with appearances on The Footy Show and The Sunday Footy Show
- 31 May – Lyn James, Welsh-born actress, who started her career in Britain, before emigrating to Australia and becoming best known for her role as Helen Gordon in The Young Doctors
- 3 June- John K. Watts Australian Rules Footballer, radio and television presenter and personality
- 8 June – Jill Singer – Melbourne-based journalist and current affairs personality, hostess of The 7.30 Report and Today Tonight
- 31 July – Les Murray – Hungarian-Australian sports broadcaster.
- 13 August – Harry Beitzel – Australian football umpire and broadcaster.
- 25 August – Drew Morphett – Australian sports broadcaster.
- 30 August – Alan Cassell – Australian actor.
- 6 September – Peter Luck – Australian journalist and television presenter.
- 20 October - Judith McGrath, Actress of theatre and television, best known for her roles in Prisoner, A Country Practice and All Saints as Von Ryan.