
Australia has produced some popular TV shows over the years, from dark comedies to twisty political thrillers and straight-out drama. The most-watched broadcast on Australian TV in 2018 was the first State of Origin match between NSW and Queensland. However, the most popular TV show that year was the reality show Married At First Sight, closely followed by My Kitchen Rules and The Block. Outside of reality TV, the American drama The Good Doctor was the most popular. Other popular Australian-produced shows include Sisters, Round the Twist, Heartbreak High, and Troppo.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popular Australian TV Shows | Heartbreak High, Bluey, Please Like Me, Round the Twist, Summer Heights High, Underbelly, Kath and Kim, Little Lunch, The Cry, Troppo, The End, Sisters, Tidelands, Mighty Car Mods, Glitch, Mr Inbetween, Frayed, Wentworth, Hard Quiz |
| Popular Reality TV Shows | Married At First Sight, My Kitchen Rules, The Block, Farmer Wants A Wife, Stranded On Honeymoon Island, MAFS |
| Popular Streaming Platforms | Netflix, YouTube |
| Popular Genres | Drama, Comedy, Thriller, Crime Drama, Dark Comedy, Reality TV, Documentary, Sci-Fi, Fantasy |
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Popular Australian TV shows
Australia has produced some popular TV shows over the years, with a range of genres to suit different tastes. Here is a list of some of the most popular Australian TV shows:
Round the Twist
Round the Twist is a beloved Australian children's TV show, based on the book series by author Paul Jennings. With four seasons airing between 1989 and 2001, the show follows a quirky family and their adventures in a small coastal town. It is known for its memorable and unique storylines, as well as an iconic theme song.
Glitch
According to IMDb, Glitch is Australia's most popular TV show. It follows a group of people who return from the dead with no memory of their past lives. Set in a small town in Victoria, the show combines elements of drama and science fiction.
Summer Heights High
This Australian TV show has gained a strong following, with some considering it a "binge-worthy" watch. It is a comedic mockumentary-style series that satirises the Australian school system and follows the lives of three central characters within the school.
Heartbreak High
Heartbreak High is a popular Australian TV show that originally aired in the 1990s and has since been rebooted for a new generation. The show revolves around the lives and relationships of a group of high school students and has entertained audiences both locally and internationally.
The Cry
The Cry is an Australian psychological thriller series that has gained popularity for its compelling and unpredictable storyline. It follows the story of a couple whose baby goes missing during a trip to Australia, and the subsequent media and police attention they face. The narrative unfolds through flashbacks and flash-forwards, keeping viewers engaged until the very end.
Other Notable Mentions
Australia has also produced a range of other popular TV shows, including "Married at First Sight," "My Kitchen Rules," "The Block," "Wentworth", "Kath and Kim", "The End", "Troppo", "Wanted," and "Sisters." These shows span various genres, including reality TV, drama, and comedy, showcasing the diversity of Australian television.
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Australian Netflix shows
Australia has produced several popular TV shows that have captivated audiences worldwide. Here is a list of Australian shows available on Netflix:
Lunatics
Comedian Chris Lilley takes on six distinct and eccentric roles in this mockumentary-style show, showcasing his impressive performance range. While some may find Lilley's characterisations problematic, "Lunatics" offers intriguing and underrated comedy that is worth watching.
Stateless
Produced by and starring Cate Blanchett, "Stateless" is a powerful and stirring six-episode series. It centres around four strangers from diverse backgrounds who collide in an Australian detention centre, sparking debates about the country's treatment of refugees.
The Bureau of Magical Things and Pine Gap
These shows offer captivating storytelling and showcase Australian talent. "The Bureau of Magical Things" combines fantasy and reality, while "Pine Gap" delves into the mysteries and intrigues of a top-secret setting.
Wentworth and Please Like Me
"Wentworth" is a gritty prison drama that explores the complexities of life behind bars. On the other hand, "Please Like Me" is a comedy that follows the life of a young woman as she navigates relationships and personal challenges.
FUBAR
This action-packed comedy series centres on a father-daughter spy duo working for the CIA. It blends humour, family dynamics, and romantic relationships with over-the-top spy missions, providing a modern-day twist on the classic action comedy.
These Australian shows on Netflix offer a diverse range of genres, from comedies to dramas, and showcase the country's unique storytelling and talent.
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Australian reality TV
Australia has produced a variety of popular reality TV shows. One of the most well-known is My Kitchen Rules, a cooking competition that first aired in 2010, where teams of two compete for a cash prize. Another popular show is Aussie Shore, which follows a group of young people living together in Cairns and navigating the highs and lows of life while working hard and partying hard.
Australia also has its own versions of international reality TV formats, such as Love Island, The Real Housewives, and Australia's Next Top Model. These shows bring their own unique Australian flavour to the familiar formats, such as exploring the world of dating and romance or the glamorous lives of socialites.
Some Australian reality TV shows focus on the lives of Australians in specific professions or situations. For example, Farmer Wants A Wife follows a similar format to other dating shows but with a specific focus on rural Australians. Stranded On Honeymoon Island is another dating show that fills the gap left by Married at First Sight (MAFS) and Farmer Wants A Wife, offering a dramatic twist to the reality dating genre.
Other reality shows delve into the lives of Australians in specific fields, such as The Dog House Australia, which focuses on finding forever homes for dogs, or Wife Swap Australia, which explores the dynamics of family life. These shows offer a glimpse into the diverse lives and interests of Australians.
Beyond dating and domestic life, Australian reality TV also explores adventure and travel. The series An Aussie Goes Barmy, An Aussie Goes Bolly, and An Aussie Goes Calypso follow Australians travelling to different parts of the world and experiencing unique cultures. Meanwhile, Ultimate Tag (Australian TV series) brings the excitement of a physical competition, showcasing the challenges and strategies employed by participants.
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Australian comedies
Australia has produced some popular comedy series over the years, with a range of formats including sketch shows, mockumentaries, and romantic comedies.
One of the most well-known Australian sketch comedy shows is "Fast Forward", which first aired in 1991 and featured a range of satirical characters and parodies of TV shows, movies, and Australian life. The show launched the careers of many Australian comedians, including Magda Szubanski, Jane Turner, and Gina Riley. Another popular sketch comedy series is "Full Frontal", which followed a similar format to "Fast Forward" with rapid-fire skits.
Aside from sketch comedy, Australia has also produced several successful romantic comedies. "The Dish" is a film set in the Australian outback and follows an American reporter who meets an eccentric poacher, Mick "Crocodile" Dundee, and invites him to New York City. "The Castle" is another Australian comedy film about a working-class family from Melbourne who fight city hall to save their beloved family home.
Australian television has also explored the comedy-crime genre. "Wentworth" is a popular television series that takes a confrontational look at the lives of inmates and prison staff in a correctional centre. "Jack Irish" is another crime-comedy series about a man with amnesia who must use clues to discover his identity before his past catches up with him.
Overall, Australia has a diverse range of comedy series and films that have gained popularity both locally and internationally.
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Australian crime shows
Australia has produced some incredibly gripping crime shows. From its drama, its grit, and even its humour, the crime genre in Australian television is diverse and plentiful. Here are some of the most popular Australian crime shows:
Top of the Lake
Top of the Lake follows Detective Robin Griffin (Elisabeth Moss), who is based in Sydney and specialises in crimes of sexual assault. The first season tracks a case in New Zealand, with Detective Griffin investigating the disappearance of a pregnant 12-year-old girl. The second season is set five years later, in Sydney, with Robin investigating the death of an unidentified girl found at Bondi Beach.
Black Snow
Black Snow is a crime series that follows Detective James Cormack (Travis Fimmel) as he investigates the cold-case murder of a 17-year-old girl from 1994. The case is re-opened following the discovery of a revealing time capsule, and the series tracks Cormack’s efforts to solve the crime, alongside his ongoing investigation into his missing brother.
The Secrets She Keeps
The Secrets She Keeps is a complex character study of two women and ultimately a tale that showcases the unconditional love of motherhood. It highlights the extremes one may take to protect their child and brings audiences deep into the psyche of a villain, showing sides of their persona that are largely unexpected.
My Life is Murder
My Life is Murder follows the adventures of fearless private investigator Alexa Crowe, who solves baffling crimes while coping with the frustrations of everyday life.
Other popular Australian crime shows include Deadloch, Mystery Road, Mr Inbetween, Underbelly, and Wentworth.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular Australian TV shows include Neighbours, Home and Away, Rake, Wentworth, Bluey, Heartbreak High, Mr Inbetween, Wolf Like Me, Glitch, and The Test: A New Era for Australia’s Team.
Married At First Sight, My Kitchen Rules, and The Block are some of the most popular reality TV shows in Australia.
Round the Twist is a popular Australian children's TV show. H2O: Just Add Water, The Amazing Digital Circus, and Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance are also popular shows for kids.











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