HSV (TV station)


HSV is a television station in Melbourne, Australia. It is part of the Seven Network, one of the three main commercial television networks in Australia, its first and oldest station. It launched in time for the 1956 Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne. HSV-7 is the home of AFL coverage.
The HSV building was the network's operations hub, where the Master Control Room was located, controlling all metropolitan and regional feeds. Its headquarters was next to Etihad Stadium they now have. Programming lineup, advertisement output, feed switching, time zone monitoring and national transmission output was previously delivered there. All Seven Network owned and operated studios had their live signals relayed there: for instance, ATN's output was fed to HSV and then transmitted via satellite or fibre optics to towers around metropolitan Sydney. In 2019 this function was transferred to a new centre in Sydney as part of a joint venture with Nine Network. As with other Melbourne terrestrial stations, its original transmission tower was atop Mount Dandenong. In 2025, HSV moved all their operations to Melbourne Quarter Tower in Collins Street.
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History

HSV-7 began test transmissions in July 1956, becoming the first 7 station in Australia and the first television station in Melbourne. It began broadcasting on 4 November, soon after the Commonwealth Government started issuing television licences. In the opening ceremony, Eric Pearce declared :
HSV-7 and rival station GTV-9 were formed in time to broadcast the Melbourne Olympics, while Sydney stations TCN-9 and ATN-7 in Sydney relayed the Melbourne coverage. HSV-7 was originally owned by the Herald & Weekly Times, owners of The Herald and The Sun. These two newspapers gave rise to the call sign HSV.
In March 1960, the station converted an old cinema in Fitzroy into the Southern Hemisphere's first fully remote studio, equipped with RCA TRT video tape recorders, camera cranes and AV mixing equipment. It featured a larger stage and backstage rooms, and audience capacity for up to 600. It was called the Channel 7 Teletheatre and connected to the station's main Dorcas Street studios in South Melbourne by multiple microwave links. The teletheatre opened with a major live show featuring the US entertainer Bob Crosby and his band and the British comedian Jimmy Edwards, among others. Many popular children's shows and variety programs originated there in front of live audiences.
This station commissioned many of Australian TV's earliest and longest-running courtroom and police procedural dramatic series such as Crawford's Consider Your Verdict and Homicide.
One of the longest-serving station and general managers during the transformative years into international satellite links and color transmissions was Ron Casey. By the late 1960s, Channel 7 was demonstrating PAL color TV to crowds visiting the annual Royal Melbourne Show.
The station began to identify as Channel Seven in the late 1960s, and in the early 1970s used the national Seven Network logos. It followed the network's on-air presentation and programming. In 1979, John Fairfax & Sons bought a substantial share of HSV-7 after many failed bids for the entire station. In December 1986, the station was purchased by News Limited. In February 1987 HSV-7 was sold back to Fairfax, along with Brisbane station BTQ-7. As a result of the payback, HSV's unique faces – World of Sport, Mal Walden and its Hello Melbourne campaign, Australia's contribution to Frank Gari's Hello News campaigns were all ended. By 1987 its rights to Australian rules football telecasts were taken by ABC's state station ABV-2. Walden later moved to Ten as a result of this.
In 1987, the government introduced cross-media ownership laws which forced Fairfax to choose between its print and broadcast operations. It chose print, and HSV-7 was sold to Christopher Skase's Qintex, which already owned Seven stations in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. Skase pledged to revitalize the channel and its programs, and to return it to its prior success among Melbourne viewers. In 1990, Qintex was sent into damage control after Skase escaped extradition proceedings, and the Seven Network became a discrete company. Entrepreneur Kerry Stokes bought the network in 1995. On 10 December 2013, HSV-7 terminated its analogue signal as part of the switchover to digital transmission. At around 8:54am local time, HSV-7's analogue signal broke away from Sunrise to air a montage of the history of its analogue broadcasts from all the way back in the 50s and 60s. The signal was then cut off after the montage.

Headquarters

HSV production studios and headquarters were originally located at the Dorcas Street Studios in South Melbourne. HSV remained there until 10 March 2002 when news, current affairs and sport shows were moved to new headquarters at Docklands and the Dorcas Street Studios were closed. Docklands Studios Melbourne and Global Television is home to HSV's studio facilities for the Seven Network's Melbourne-based entertainment, drama and reality programmes shows such as Dancing with the Stars (Australian TV series) and the quiz show The Chase Australia.
HSV's headquarters, known on-air as Broadcast Centre Melbourne or BCM, are located near the Docklands Stadium in Docklands. On 11 March 2002, the first Seven News Melbourne bulletin, presented by Peter Mitchell, was first broadcast from the new HSV building. The centre consists of three studios: a theatre studio, a production studio and a news studio that opens onto the newsroom. The building is used as the transmission control centre for Seven's owned-and-operated stations in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and regional areas of Queensland. Approximately 200 full-time employees work in the building with an additional 100 part-timers. In 2005, the HSV building experienced a power failure that resulted in a blackout across the Seven Network, as well as all regional affiliates.
The HSV studios produces Seven News Melbourne and was the main play-out centre for sports broadcasting. While broadcasting on air, national news programs often refer to HSV as 'News Centre', while 'Sports Central' is commonly used for sports programs.
2019 saw the Seven Network move its main play-out centre to NPC Media in Sydney.
After more than two decades at Docklands, HSV moved its headquarters and operations to Collins Street, Melbourne. The HSV building at Docklands closed on 11 May 2025 with HSV's staff to move into a newly constructed office tower located within the "Melbourne Quarter" development.
After 24 years, the Seven News Melbourne bulletin concluded broadcast from the Broadcast Centre Melbourne on 11 May 2025 before moving to the Melbourne Quarter Tower, located on Collins Street starting from 12 May 2025.

Programming

Locally produced programs by or with HSV-7 Melbourne:

HSV Studios

Seven News Melbourne Seven Afternoon News Melbourne Seven News With Alex Cullen Sunday Footy Feast The Wash Up
  • ''NFL Coverage''

Location

The Agenda Setters Healthy, Wealthy and Wise House of Wellness The Front Bar Better Homes and Gardens Melbourne Weekender Highway Patrol Border Security Good Friday Appeal
Seven Melbourne is also the official broadcaster for these major events in Melbourne.Saturday Afternoon Horse Racing Austrlain Test Cricket Women's Big Bash League Big Bash League Australian Football League excluding 1987

Past programming

News and current affairs

Today Tonight Seven 4.30 News production moved to ATN-7Seven Afternoon News production moved to ATN-7Seven News at Five Hinch Newsworld Local Late night news bulletinMeet The Press

Entertainment

Moomba Street Parade Melbourne New Year's Eve Fireworks The Great Weekend Kinne A Moveable Feast Behave Yourself! – ABC Studios ElsternwickThe Big Music Quiz Powerball (Australia) Oz Lotto Dancing with the Stars Million Dollar Minute Slide Show Pictures of You (TV series) Spit It Out (TV series) Iron Chef Australia Medical Emergency Double Take Beat the Star (Australia) Thank God You're Here The Rich List Battle of the Choirs Kath & Kim Australia's Got Talent It Takes Two Where Are They Now? Great Comedy Classics The Master The Support Unit 2005 Made in Melbourne Specials Let Loose Live Coxy's Big Break Hamish and Andy Deal or No Deal Big Bite Greeks on the Roof The Weakest Link The Mole Something Stupid Eric Big Girl's Blouse Man O Man Jimeoin Full Frontal Bligh Tonight Live With Steve Vizard Fast Forward Acropolis Now The D-Generation The Eleventh Hour The New Price Is Right Shirl's Neighbourhood Two on the Aisle with Ivan Hutchinson and Jim MurphyThe Penthouse Club It's Academic TV Ringside SSB Club Video Village with Danny Webb and Liz HarrisFighting Words Review with Geoff Raymond Romper Room Time For Terry Variety 7 Auditions Buy Word Make a Wish Make Mine Music What's the Meaning? Hold Everything Merry-Go-Round Lady for a Day The Happy Show with Happy HammondSaturday Showcase Tea for Two Western Holiday Pick a Pint Bandwagon Brenda's Time Club Seven Don't Argue Let's Make Clothes What's On At Your Request Brian and the Juniors with Brian NaylorCool Cats Show Movie Guide Personal Column Tuesday Home Show Be My Guest Blues, Studio One Zig & Zag Handyman Beauty is My Business Let's Dance Oxford Show Peters Fun FairSunnyside Up Swallows Parade Take That Teenage Mailbag with Ernie SigleyTivoli Party Time The Late Show with Noel Ferrier and Bert NewtonFun with Charades I've Got a Secret The Isador Goodman Show The Judy Jack Show Guest of the Week Sports Talk Stairway to the Stars

Drama

Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries The Doctor Blake Mysteries Winners & Losers City Homicide Blue Heelers Marshall Law Last Man Standing Skirts The Power, The Passion All the Rivers Run Sons And Daughters Neighbours moved to Network 10 from 1986 and axed in 2022. Revived by Amazon in 2023.Skyways Cop Shop Solo One Ryan Bluey Homicide

Sport

Talking Footy AFL Game Day Footy Flashbacks Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival Horse Racing The Emirates Melbourne Cup Carnival Horse Racing V8 Supercars ''Sandown 500 Motor Racing Santo, Sam and Ed's Sports Fever! Rex Hunt's Footy Panel Sportsworld World of Sport Live and Kicking The Game Seven's Big League Football Inquest The Footy Show John Coleman on Football''

Seven News

Seven News Melbourne is directed by Chris Salter and presented by Peter Mitchell on weeknights and Mike Amor and Karina Carvalho on weekends from Melbourne Quarter Tower, located at Collins Street, Docklands. Sport is presented by Rebecca Maddern on weeknights and Theo Doropoulos on weekends. Weather is presented by certified meteorologist Jane Bunn on weeknights and Tyra Stowers on weekends.
Peter Mitchell previously held the role of weekend presenter for then-titled Seven Nightly News between 1987 and 2000 when he replaced the short-lived presenting duo of David Johnston and Anne Fulwood. Jennifer Keyte was appointed as main weeknight presenter in 1990, becoming Australia's first solo female primetime commercial news presenter. In a network reshuffle in 1996, Keyte terminated her employment after the Seven Network attempted to pair her with David Johnston, who went on to present solo for three years. She returned in 2003, assuming the role as weekend presenter, succeeding Jennifer Adams.
In May 2018, Network Ten announced that Keyte would leave Seven Network to present Ten Eyewitness News Melbourne replacing Stephen Quartermain. In August 2018, it was announced that Mike Amor would move back to Australia after 17 years as United States Bureau Chief to replace Keyte as weekend presenter.
Following decades of trailing Nine News Melbourne, 10 News First Melbourne and ABC News Victoria in the ratings, Seven News Melbourne won the ratings battle from February 2005. As of 2007, Seven News held the number one position. This was followed by a series of advertisements and promos which touted Seven News Melbourne as Melbourne's New #1 and Nine altering their promotions to simply say Melbourne's Best News – a throwback to the 1980s when National Nine News Melbourne was beaten in the ratings by ATV-10's Ten Eyewitness News. But, it was replaced in 2009 when Nine News returned to win the Melbourne news ratings battle.
Between 2018 and 2021, during the AFL season, Peter Mitchell, Tim Watson, Jane Bunn and the weeknight team would present from Sunday to Thursday and Mike Amor, Jacqueline Felgate, Melina Sarris and the weekend team would present on Friday and Saturday nights.
In January 2022, it was announced that Rebecca Maddern would return to the Seven Network to present 7NEWS Melbourne on weekends with Mike Amor.
In November 2024, Tim Watson announced that he would be retiring after 30 years with the network from December. It was announced that Rebecca Maddern will step into an expanded role with Seven News Melbourne starting January 2025, as Chief Sports Presenter. In January 2025, it was announced that Karina Carvalho will replace Maddern to present on weekends with Mike Amor.
Afternoon news updates for Melbourne are presented by Amor or Carvalho, while Mitchell presents weeknight updates. Amor presents weekend news updates. Mike Amor, Karina Carvalho, Laura Turner and Blake Johnson are the fill-in news presenters, with Theo Doropoulos and Kate Massey are the fill-in sport presenters, and Melina Sarris, Tyra Stowers, Estelle Griepink and Blake Johnson are the fill-in weather presenters.
In August 2015, Seven News Melbourne began producing a local Seven Afternoon News bulletin replacing the national bulletin. Amor and Carvalho present the bulletin on alternate days. In 2020, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, that bulletin temporary included news items from South Australia following the cancellation of the statewide afternoon bulletin from SAS-7 in Adelaide before the network reinstated it due to viewer opposition and the threat faced by the local Nine News team on Seven's news dominance.

Reporters

  • Blake Johnson
  • Nick McCallum
  • Paul Dowsley
  • Jackie Quist
  • Christie Cooper
  • Kristy Mayr
  • Hope Wilson
  • Rochelle Brown
  • Kathleen O’Connor
  • Melina Sarris
  • Laura Turner
  • Estelle Griepink
  • Tyra Stowers
  • Jordy Wright
  • Sara Jones
  • Bethan Yeoman
  • Ainsley Koch
  • Phoebe Worthley
  • Sheri Smith
  • Jordan Quinn

Sport Reporters

Sunrise & The Morning Show Correspondent

Canberra Bureau

Overseas Bureaus

  • Mylee Hogan
  • Rob Scott
  • Ben Downie
  • Jacquelin Robson

Past Presenters

Past Reporters