This is a list of Australian television-related events, debuts, finales, and cancellations that are scheduled to occur in 2020, the 65th year of continuous operation of television in Australia.
Overview of the events of 2020 in Australian television
Following low ratings in Adelaide, Nine switches Millionaire Hot Seat and Nine News Adelaide's timeslots around. The first episode of Hot Seat in its new 4 pm timeslot is watched by just 5,000 viewers, easily beaten by Seven News in its 4 pm timeslot.
[1]
March
Date
Event
Source
17
Nine News suspends their regional 6:00 pm bulletins indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with reporters redeployed to the metropolitan bulletins in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Their news bulletins were to return on August 10 at a 5.30pm timeslot.
[2]
May
Date
Event
Source
24
Seven West Media announces that they will be reducing the amount of advertising shown across their free-to-air channels.
[3]
June
Date
Event
Source
1
Seven News United States correspondent Amelia Brace and freelance photojournalist Timothy Myers were assaulted in Washington DC while covering the George Floyd protests on Sunrise.
[4]
3
In two separate incidents, Nine News European correspondents Sophie Walsh and Ben Avery were attacked while covering the George Floyd protests in the United Kingdom. Walsh was assaulted by a bystander during a live-cross to Nine's Adelaide evening news bulletin, while Avery was attacked while covering the story on the Today show. Neither were harmed.
The Daily Edition host Ryan Phelan is sacked by the Seven Network after being charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault following a complaint made to police by his girlfriend.
In Perth, Nine News follows Adelaide's lead back in February and switches timeslots with Millionaire Hot Seat heading to 4:00pm While the Afternoon News moves to 5:00pm in order to boost ratings of its 6:00pm Bulletin.
^Knox, David (17 February 2020). "Update: Nine News". TV Tonight. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
^Knox, David (17 March 2020). "Nine News suspends regional bulletins". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
^"Seven is cutting the amount of advertising it will run". 24 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
^Knox, David (2 June 2020). "Police strike Sunrise crew in Washington, DC". TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
^Knox, David (4 June 2020). "Nine News journalists attacked in London clashes". TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
^Knox, David (19 June 2020). "Axed: The Daily Edition". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
^Marsh, Stuart (23 June 2020). "TV presenter Ryan Phelan charged over alleged domestic violence incident". Nine News. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
^"Channel [V], MAX & CMC: 25 years of unforgettable TV moments". The Music Network. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
^"EXCLUSIVE: MasterChef winner Emelia Jackson reveals the contestant she was most intimidated by this season".
^"History is made with Ben Polson crowned Australia's first Ninja Warrior". Nine Entertainment Company.
^Knox, David (10 September 2020). "Farewell to 10 faces". TV Tonight. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
^McKnight, Robert (10 September 2020). "EXCLUSIVE: OLD NEWS IS GOOD NEWS AS BUDGET CUTS BITE AT 10 NEWS". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
^Buckmaster, Luke (30 December 2019). "The Gloaming review – shades of Twin Peaks in fog-swamped crime drama". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
^"Cricketer and actor who worked with the biggest-names-in-theatre". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 March 2020.
^Gill, Alan (November 22, 1986). "Critics Say a 'Real' Pope Would Stay at Home; The Papal Tour". The Sydney Morning Herald. Apart from siring Australia's highest-paid movie star, he recently won $100,000, plus a luxurious car, in a TV quiz program.
^"Doctor Who Guide: Louise Pajo". guide.doctorwhonews.net.