1997 in Australian television

Events

• 6 January – Rob Elliott takes over as host of Wheel of Fortune, after the failed attempt last year with long-time Sale of the Century quizmaster Tony Barber as host. The program starts 1997 without Adriana Xenides, as she takes long-term leave due to ill health. She would return to the puzzleboard in July. Her place is filled by ex-Perfect Match hostess Kerrie Friend. After a notable absence throughout 1996 due in part to hosting Family Feud for the last remainder of the year, John Deeks returns to the booth as announcer – the position had been held by David Day in Adelaide, and Ron E Sparks in Sydney.
• 3 February – Australian drama serial Heartbreak High switches over to air on ABC at 6:00 pm from Monday to Thursdays.
• 9 February - The 1993 film The Pelican Brief starring Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington premieres on the Nine Network.
• 31 March – A brand new Australian game show called Burgo's Catch Phrase hosted by former Wheel of Fortune presenter John Burgess starts screening on Nine Network.
• 13 June – Australian children's television series Bananas in Pyjamas appears for the first time in Singapore on Channel 5.
• 26 June - British sitcom Mr. Bean starring Rowan Atkinson as the titular character switches over to the Seven Network a year after finishing up on the ABC.
• 29 June – The 1993 film In the Line of Fire starring Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich premieres on the Nine Network.
• 1 July – Prime Television comes to Mildura, ending a monopoly on commercial television held by STV-8 since 1965.
• 8 July – Ownership of Australia Television International moves from ABC to Seven Network.
• 8 July – American animated series Hey Arnold! makes its debut on ABC.
• 11 July – American-Canadian children's animated series Arthur debuts on ABC. The series is still broadcast on ABC Kids as of 2022.
• 4 August – Judge Judy makes it debut on Network Ten.
• 1 September - Cult Sitcom The Adventures of Lano and Woodley starring comedians Colin Lane and Frank Woodley premieres on the ABC.
• September – Jo Beth Taylor resigns as host of Australia's Funniest Home Video Show as part of the show's biggest hosts in history – she is replaced by Getaway reporter, Catriona Rowntree, and then axed.
• 22 September – A reboot of the classic Australian 1980s sitcom Kingswood Country called Bullpitt! once again starring Ross Higgins as Ted Bullpitt airs on Seven Network.
• 11 October – In Neighbours, Helen Daniels dies in her sleep at a family get together. The last ever of the original 1985 cast members Anne Haddy departs the series, she died two years later after a long illness.
• 12 October – American sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond debuts on the Seven Network.
• 1 November – TCN-9 stages the first trial of digital television in the Southern Hemisphere.
• 16 November – The 1994 Film Forrest Gump starring Tom Hanks premieres on the Nine Network.
• 23 November – American animated comedy series King of the Hill screens on the Seven Network at 7:30 pm.
• 3 December – American supernatural fiction, fantasy, action, horror series Buffy the Vampire Slayer debuts on the Seven Network.
• 20 December – American animated comedy series South Park airs on SBS. It also became the network's highest rating series to date.
• December – Prime Television acquires the rights to Canal 9 in Argentina.
• The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales is broadcast live on the ABC and all commercial free-to-air television channels.
• The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is televised for the first time on commercial television.

Channels

New channels

• 1 June – Ovation Channel
• 1 July – Odyssey Channel
• 1 September – The LifeStyle Channel
• 7 September – Movie Extra

Rebranded channels

• 20 March – MTV Australia
• 18 April – Channel V Australia
• 7 September – Movie One

Subscription television

Subscription premieres

Changes to network affiliation

Television shows

• ''GMA with Bert Newton''