1980 in Australian television

This article is a summary of 1980 in Australian television.

Events

20 January - The 0/10 Network became known as Network Ten to reflect ATV moving from Channel 0 to channel 10.
30 January - Australian sitcom Kingswood Country starring Ross Higgins premieres on Seven Network.
10 May - Seven Network airs the final episode of the Australian comedy series Doctor Down Under.
27 May - British comedy drama series Minder premieres on ABC.
14 July - A remake of the 1970s Australian game show Great Temptation called Sale of the Century premieres on Nine Network and becomes the biggest hit of the year. Tony Barber who has previously hosted Great Temptation will return to host this remake along with new co-host Victoria Nicolls.
August - TV Times and TV Guide magazines are amalgamated into TV Week.
11 August - Canadian sceptic James Randi was interviewed by Don Lane which ended with a fight about elderly psychic Doris Stokes. As he went to a commercial break he fired Randi from the show, telling him to p**s off.
4 September - Australian drama miniseries The Timeless Land debuts on ABC.
September - The Australian Broadcasting Tribunal refuses the takeover of ATV10 by Rupert Murdoch's News Limited.
24 October - Special Broadcasting Service was launched as Channel 0/28.
12 November - In the 1980 season finale for Prisoner, Meg Jackson and Bob Morris marry, the Christmas performance and the mineshaft disaster.
The 1980 Moscow Olympics are televised on Seven Network via satellite.

Hey Hey It's Saturday Young Talent Time Countdown The Don Lane Show 60 Minutes Prisoner

Kingswood Country Sale of the Century