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TV Week
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TV Week
January 2019
EditorStephen Downie
Former editorsEmma Nolan, Thomas Woodgate, Amber Giles
Founded1957
First issue5–11 December 1957
CompanyAre Media[1]
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.nowtolove.com.au/tvweek

TV Week is a weekly Australian magazine that provides television program listings information and highlights, as well as television-related news.

Content ranges from previews for upcoming storylines of popular television programs, particularly dramas, comedies, soap operas and reality shows airing in Australia, celebrity interviews, gossip and news reports about television, movies and music. A full weekly program guide with highlights is featured, as well listings for streaming services and crossword puzzles.

It was first published as a Melbourne-only publication in December 1957 (as TV-Radio Week), bearing a strong affiliation to television station Channel Nine, GTV9.[2] The publication is also well known for its association with the annual TV Week Logie Awards.

History

[edit]

Early days

[edit]

The first issue of TV-Radio Week published in Melbourne covered the week 5–11 December 1957, with popular GTV9 performers Geoff Corke and Val Ruff featured on the cover. In 1958, the title was shortened to TV Week. Around 1956, radio magazine Listener In first published in 1925 adapted with the times and began covering television and added "TV" to its title. As part of the Herald and Weekly Times (HWT) group, Listener In-TV had an affinity to the company's new television station, HSV7. The magazine was renamed TV Scene in 1976.[3]

Rival publication Television Preview, produced by the Television Owners Club of Australia, was also launched in 1957. By June 1958, the two magazines had more competition with TV News, published by the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) and a fortnight later Australian Consolidated Press (ACP) launched its own guide, TV Times.

It was thought that so many television titles in the market was unsustainable, so ACP entered into a co-publishing deal with the ABC, which saw their respective magazines merged to become TV News-Times, soon simplified to TV Times. By the end of 1958, Television Preview was incorporated into TV Week, leaving two strong rival publications in the market for the next two decades.[4]

In July 1958, TV Week added an edition in Sydney, then the only other TV market in Australia. It continued to expand publication as television launched in other capital cities and regional areas across Australia. At the close of 1958, Melbourne readers were invited to vote for their favourite TV personalities and programs, to be presented awards along with some categories judged by an industry panel. Graham Kennedy and Panda Lisner from GTV's In Melbourne Tonight were voted Melbourne's Most Popular TV personalities. Kennedy then named the awards the Logies, after the inventor of the first working television system, John Logie Baird.[5]

TV Week introduced colour internal pages in 1962, moving to gloss colour covers and internal pages in 1967. As a final evolutionary stage, the magazine doubled size from A5 to A4 in July 1968.

Mergers and rivals

[edit]

By 1971 TV Week had a national weekly circulation of 400,000. South Australia's TV Guide (formerly TV-Radio Tonight) attempted to launch a Melbourne edition in 1973 but only lasted for four months and later became known as TV-Radio Extra in its home state. TV Week and TV Times dominated the market across Australia. In 1979, Family Circle Publications introduced a local version of the American magazine TV Guide, in the compact A5 size.

In 1980, the ABC chose to end its agreement with TV Week and ACP purchased their interest. ACP then entered into a partnership with News Limited, leading to rival publication TV Times being incorporated into TV Week. Later that year, Family Circle Publications sold the national TV Guide to ACP and it was also incorporated into TV Week. Competition then came from existing women's magazines when The Australian Women's Weekly began including a free television magazine TV Weekly (later TV World) as an insert for its publication in May 1980. Family Circle followed suit in August 1980, as did Woman's Day with TV Day in November 1981. TV Week hit a peak circulation of 850,000 in the mid-1980s.

In 1984, the Federal Publishing Company's tabloid celebrity gossip magazine Star Enquirer was restyled to become TV Star but only ran until 1985.[6] The Victorian publication TV Scene (formerly Listener In-TV) was shut down after 62 years of publication after it was handed over to Southdown Press, following the media shake-up sparked by Rupert Murdoch's takeover of the Herald and Weekly Times Group Group. TV-Radio Extra was discontinued in South Australia in 1988 when it was incorporated into the Sunday Mail's free television guide, TV Plus. With an increasing number of these types of free magazine supplements in Sunday newspapers across the country in the 1990s, TV Week began to lose significant circulation.

In 1998, in an attempt to boost its local entertainment news credentials, Who Weekly introduced a TV supplement with television news and TV listings but by 2000 this had been dropped.

Later years

[edit]

TV Week was a joint venture between Kerry Packer's Australian Consolidated Press and Southdown Press (later Pacific Publications), with the latter publishing the magazine on behalf of both parties. In 2002, Packer bought TV Week out of the joint venture, with a clause in the agreement. A legal battle over the custody of the magazine's Logie Awards followed as both Australian Consolidated Press and Pacific Publications claimed ownership. Pacific wanted to use the Logies to promote their new rival TV listing What's on Weekly but Packer won the battle and the Logies remain connected to TV Week.[2] What’s on Weekly ceased publication by the end of that year and it became the last attempt to launch a national rival to TV Week, now with a circulation of 265,000.

ACP Magazines sold TV Week and Foxtel magazine to German Bauer Media Group in 2012.[7] In 2016, another women's magazine New Idea published by Pacific Magazines, introduced TV Extra a supplement covering television news and highlights, however it did not contain TV listings.[8]

In recent years, online program guides have had a significant effect on TV Week's traditional market with circulation dropping below 200,000.[citation needed]

In 2020, Are Media acquired TV Week as part of its acquisition of Bauer Media's Australian and New Zealand assets.[1][9] Are Media promoted associate editor, Stephen Downie, to editor of the publication in 2021. Outgoing editor Amber Giles was appointed to lead the entertainment group.[10]

Criticism

[edit]

In 2013, TV Week received criticism from former Neighbours actress Kym Valentine for their lack of coverage of Neighbours. Valentine tweeted to TV Week, saying: "Why don't you give Neighbours as much coverage as Home and Away? The fans are asking for it? Bring back the love xx".[11]

TV Week Soap Extra

[edit]
TV Week Soap Extra
EditorErin McWhirter
Founded2014
First issue31 July 2014
Final issue29 October 2015
CompanyBauer Media Group
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

TV Week Soap Extra was an Australian fortnightly television magazine, produced as a sister magazine to TV Week.[12]

In January 2014, Bauer Media published a one-off special of TV Week Soap Extra which featured exclusive teasers and first-look photos of upcoming storylines, reviews, and interviews with the stars from local and international soap operas screening in Australia, including Neighbours, Home and Away, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless and Days of Our Lives.[13] Other soaps included in its content were Coronation Street,[14] EastEnders,[15] Emmerdale,[16] Hollyoaks,[17] and Shortland Street.[18]

On 14 July 2014, Bauer Media confirmed that they would be launching TV Week Soap Extra as a fortnightly magazine dedicated to the storylines of Australian and overseas soaps and dramas.[19] The decision came after Bauer Media had identified a gap in the market for a contemporary magazine that covered television soaps and dramas.[20] TV Week deputy editor Erin McWhirter told TV Tonight, "The one-off special of TV Week Soap Extra we produced and launched in January was a huge success. Off the back of that, as well as TV Week's reputation as a known and trusted brand, it was evident there was enough room in the magazine market for TV Week Soap Extra as an ongoing offering."[20] The 66-page magazine was edited by McWhirter, published on a Thursday and cost $4.50.[19] The first issue was available from 31 July 2014.[19][21][22][23]

The final issue of Soap Extra was released on 29 October 2015.[24] Following its release, their coverage of soap operas moved back to TV Week.[25] McWhirter told TV Tonight, "Whilst Soap Extra has attained a loyal following since launch, due to the relative size of the soap market the business decision has been made that the popular content from Soap Extra is better placed within TV Week.[26]

TV Week Close Up

[edit]
TV Week Close Up
EditorThomas Woodgate
Founded2018
First issue2 August 2018
CompanyBauer Media Group
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

TV Week Close Up is an Australian monthly television magazine, produced as a sister magazine to TV Week.[27]

On 2 August 2018, Bauer Media launched TV Week Close Up as a monthly magazine dedicated to interviews with stars and industry power brokers and behind the scenes stories about Australia's most popular TV shows. TV Week editor Thomas Woodgate told Mumbrella, "TV Week has earned the trust of our best talent over many years, and we have unrivalled access to Australian stars and shows. It's this access that we want to be able to share every month. We want to provide more of what we know readers love, which is in-depth chats, photo shoots with the stars, exclusive behind- the-scenes looks at favourite shows, and nostalgic trips down TV memory lane".[28] The magazine was sold at a special launch price of $2.99 but normally sells for $5.99.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

TV Week

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
TV Week is a weekly Australian magazine that provides comprehensive television program listings, entertainment news, celebrity interviews, and highlights of upcoming shows, serving as a primary guide for viewers since its launch in 1957. Originally published as TV-Radio Week on 5 December 1957 in in association with GTV Channel 9, the magazine was renamed TV Week in 1958 and quickly expanded nationally, with editions for in 1958, and in 1959, in 1960, and in 1961. Over the decades, it has become an iconic publication in Australian media, reaching peak circulation of 850,000 copies in the mid-1980s and adapting formats, such as switching to A4 size in 1968 to enhance readability and sales. A defining feature of TV Week is its role in the annual TV Week Logie Awards, Australia's premier television industry honors, which it first introduced in 1958 with Graham Kennedy as the inaugural "Star of the Year" winner; the awards, often simply called the Logies, continue to be a cornerstone of the magazine's influence on . Ownership has evolved through joint ventures and acquisitions, starting with Australian Consolidated Press (ACP) and Southdown Press in 1980, full ACP control in 2002 following a legal battle over the Logies, and current publication by , which as of November 2025 is seeking a new owner, maintaining its status as Australia's leading . Notable innovations include being the first Australian magazine to publish G-Codes for electronic program guides in 1994, and it marked its 50th anniversary in 2007 while continuing to offer both print and .

History

Founding and Early Expansion

TV Week was first published on 5 December 1957 as TV-Radio Week by Southdown Press, initially serving as a Melbourne-only magazine in response to the nascent Australian television industry, which at the time was limited to broadcasts in Melbourne and Sydney. Priced at one shilling, the inaugural issue featured prominent GTV-9 personalities Geoff Corke and Val Ruff on its cover and provided program listings for both television and radio, reflecting the hybrid media landscape of the era. Produced in association with Melbourne's Channel 9, the publication quickly capitalized on the novelty of television, which had launched nationally just over a year earlier. In 1958, the magazine underwent a rebranding to TV Week and expanded with its first edition, marking a shift toward a more television-centric focus as the medium's popularity surged and radio's dominance waned. This renaming and geographic extension aligned with the growing accessibility of TV sets across eastern , allowing the publication to broaden its appeal beyond local content. By the late 1950s, TV Week had introduced innovative reader engagement features, including polls that culminated in the inaugural TV Week Awards for 1958, announced in the January 1959 issue; was honored as Best Male Personality and Star of the Year for his work on In Melbourne Tonight. These awards, based on reader votes, not only boosted circulation but also laid the groundwork for what would evolve into the . The magazine's early expansion mirrored the nationwide rollout of television services, with dedicated editions launching in and in 1959—coinciding with the debut of QTQ-9 and NWS-9 stations—and in Perth in 1961 following TVW-7's activation in October 1959. A Tasmanian edition followed in 1960, further solidifying TV Week's position as Australia's premier television guide. This strategic growth tied directly to the infrastructure development of , enabling localized listings while maintaining a national brand identity.

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Rivals

In 1980, Australian Consolidated Press (ACP) facilitated a significant merger between its flagship publication TV Week and the rival , which was published by , resulting in the consolidation of television listings under a single national TV Week edition and eliminating direct in major Australian cities. This arrangement stemmed from ACP's acquisition of the 's stake in , followed by a with to amalgamate the titles. Concurrently in 1980, TV Week absorbed the Australian edition of , integrating its comprehensive program formats and supplementary features to solidify market dominance in the television magazine sector. This move expanded TV Week's reach by incorporating 's established audience and content style, particularly its detailed episode summaries and celebrity insights, allowing for a unified weekly guide that covered metropolitan and regional broadcasts nationwide. The 1980s saw the emergence of specialized rivals challenging TV Week's position, including TV Soap, launched in 1984 by Next Media as a dedicated publication that emphasized drama gossip and character updates until its closure in 2020 after 36 years. Another competitor, TV Hits, debuted around 1988 as a music-television crossover magazine targeting younger readers with interviews of pop stars and TV personalities, running until 2010. In response, TV Week bolstered its sections with increased features, exclusive interviews, and plot previews to retain readership amid this niche competition. These consolidations contributed to TV Week's peak market dominance by the mid-1980s, achieving a weekly circulation of 850,000 copies, largely by absorbing audiences from the merged and rival publications.

Ownership Changes and Recent Developments

In 1980, Australian Consolidated Press (ACP) formed a with Southdown Press following ACP's acquisition of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's stake in TV Times. This partnership enabled the merger of TV Week, TV Times, and the Australian TV Guide into a single national edition. Southdown Press was later rebranded as Pacific Magazines under News Limited ownership. The joint venture persisted until 2002, when ACP exercised a contractual option to acquire full ownership of TV Week from its partner, consolidating control under Kerry Packer's Publishing and Broadcasting Limited. This full acquisition marked the end of the shared publishing model and allowed ACP to integrate TV Week more deeply into its portfolio of entertainment titles. In 2012, ACP Magazines was acquired by the German-based in a deal valued at approximately A$525 million, bringing TV Week under international publishing and aligning it with Bauer's global stable of magazines. Bauer's stewardship emphasized digital expansion alongside print, though the company faced mounting pressures from declining advertising revenues in the magazine sector. By 2020, amid the economic fallout from the , Bauer Media sold its Australian and publishing operations, including TV Week, to private equity firm Mercury Capital for an estimated A$50 million. The transaction led to the formation of as the new entity overseeing the assets, which navigated print disruptions across the industry—such as temporary suspensions of select titles and staff redundancies—while resuming operations for core publications like TV Week to maintain weekly distribution. Under , TV Week adapted to by integrating content into the Now To Love online platform, which aggregates entertainment news, previews, and interactive features from its print editions. The magazine also bolstered its social media presence, with the official account @tvweekmag promoting 2025 issues focused on specials like storylines and cast interviews, reaching over 95,000 followers. In July 2025, announced it was exploring the sale of its magazine assets, including TV Week, as part of a strategic review amid ongoing challenges from declining and advertising in traditional media. This potential divestiture, confirmed by Mercury Capital, reflects broader industry shifts toward digital-first models, though TV Week continues weekly print with enhanced online synergies.

Content and Format

Program Listings and Guides

TV Week's core function as a television guide revolves around its weekly program listings, which provide detailed schedules for channels across . Launched in 1957 as a pocket-sized , the initially featured text-heavy, black-and-white pages listing programs in a simple columnar format, covering both and radio content for the nascent Australian TV market. By the late , as television expanded to multiple states, these listings evolved to include synopses for major shows, helping readers navigate the growing array of broadcasts from stations like Channel Nine, with which the had early affiliations. In 1968, TV Week transitioned to a larger A4 format, allowing for more expansive layouts that incorporated grid-style schedules organized by day and channel, making it easier to compare programming across networks. This change coincided with the magazine's national reach and the inclusion of prime-time highlight sections, often boxed for emphasis, to spotlight popular episodes and specials. The introduction of in on March 1, 1975, prompted a shift in the magazine's presentation, moving from text to vibrant color photos and illustrations by the late , enhancing visual appeal alongside ratings predictions for key programs. Movie guides and sports listings were gradually integrated during this period, reflecting the diversification of TV content, with dedicated sections for film schedules and event coverage to assist viewers in planning their week. With the advent of pay television services like in 1995, TV Week expanded its listings in the 1990s to encompass subscription channels, maintaining the grid format while adding brief descriptions and highlight features for multichannel viewing. Special elements, such as preview boxes for must-see episodes, became staples, tying into promotional content like celebrity interviews for upcoming shows. Adapting to since the , TV Week has offered online program listings through its website, providing searchable, interactive guides that extend the print format's structure with daily updates and filters for channels and genres. This digital evolution includes integration with mobile platforms for on-the-go access, allowing users to personalize their viewing recommendations based on preferences, though the weekly magazine remains a key source for comprehensive overviews. As of 2025, the brand's digital audience reaches 1,286,927 users across platforms, supported by editorial pillars including "TV Guide" and "What to Watch," with 24,800 newsletter subscribers for ongoing updates.

Celebrity Features and Interviews

TV Week has long emphasized through its celebrity features and interviews, providing readers with in-depth profiles and exclusive access to , particularly those from Australian productions. These sections often highlight behind-the-scenes insights and personal stories, complementing the magazine's program listings by offering context on the stars featured in weekly schedules. For instance, regular interviews focus on actors from enduring soap operas like , where cast members such as have discussed complex character arcs and off-screen dynamics in exclusive chats. The magazine prioritizes Australian television talent, showcasing profiles of prominent figures who embody the local industry. Singers and actors like have appeared in TV Week interviews reflecting on career milestones, family aspirations, and high-profile roles, such as her portrayal in the Olivia Newton-John biopic, where she emphasized loyalty and respect for artistic legacies. Similarly, radio and TV personality has opened up about personal growth, empathy in judging roles on shows like , and overcoming past controversies, revealing a more reflective side in discussions with the magazine. These features underscore TV Week's role in chronicling the lives of homegrown stars who drive Australian viewing habits. While rooted in local content, TV Week extends coverage to international imports, including reality formats like The Bachelor, integrating celebrity insights from global TV phenomena into its Australian-centric narrative. This blend allows readers to connect show schedules with personality-driven stories from both domestic and overseas talents. Complementing these interviews are elaborate photo shoots and fashion styling sessions for cover features, often capturing stars in glamorous, thematic setups. Behind-the-scenes glimpses, such as those from actress Penny McNamee's session, reveal the production process, where styling emphasizes elegance and character essence to entice readers. In its digital evolution, particularly since via the Now To Love platform, the brand has expanded into video interviews, offering dynamic content like red-carpet chats and extended profiles that build on print features. This shift enhances accessibility, with elements providing visual depth to narratives previously confined to text and photos. As of 2025, cross-platform readership stands at 429,000, with total touchpoints exceeding 1.8 million.

Awards and Special Coverage

Logie Awards Involvement

TV Week has served as the official sponsor and primary organizer of the since their inception, establishing the event as Australia's premier television honors in 1959. The magazine's inaugural coverage featured the first TV Week Awards, presented for achievements in 1958, with voting conducted through reader-submitted coupons published in its pages. This reader-driven format became a hallmark, particularly for "Most Popular" categories such as Most Popular Actor and Most Popular Actress, where public ballots tallied via magazine polls determined winners for decades. Over the years, TV Week's involvement extended beyond polling to comprehensive event coverage, including exclusive access to red-carpet arrivals and pre-awards special issues featuring expert predictions and nominee profiles. These editions often highlighted celebrity interviews and fashion previews, amplifying the ceremony's cultural buzz and tying into the magazine's broader celebrity features during awards season. By the , as the Logies expanded nationally, TV Week solidified its role as the central media partner, producing annual guides that captured milestones like the introduction of the Gold Logie in 1960. In the 2020s, operational changes reshaped TV Week's direct management of the awards while preserving its official partnership status. Following a 2022 restructuring, external events firm Rizer assumed responsibilities for voting logistics, nominee finalization, and network submissions, marking the end of TV Week's hands-on oversight after 62 years. This shift introduced hybrid voting systems integrating online platforms and apps alongside traditional methods, broadening for readers and expanding participation, with digital options continuing to evolve in subsequent years. TV Week continued to oversee branding and coverage, with its 2025 edition emphasizing the inclusion of streaming nominees, such as Netflix's , which received multiple nods and underscored the awards' adaptation to digital platforms. The magazine's Logie stewardship has not been without , including allegations of linked to snubs and a high-profile leak of the winners' list, which prompted tightened media protocols to safeguard results. These incidents highlighted tensions between reader voting and industry submissions, though TV Week defended the process as reflective of public sentiment.

Themed Issues and Events

TV Week has produced a variety of themed issues and special editions to engage readers with timely television trends, anniversaries, and major broadcasts. These publications often feature exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and expanded program guides tailored to specific themes or seasons. Annual previews form a key part of these efforts, with dedicated issues highlighting upcoming programming. For instance, in 2017, TV Week released a special edition titled TV Week Extra, offering a comprehensive preview of the year's television highlights, including new shows and returning favorites. Similarly, the 2018 TV Preview special edition coincided with the return of major series, providing readers with detailed schedules and feature articles on anticipated content. These December and early-year issues, akin to a "Summer TV Guide," focus on holiday viewing and nominations previews, such as the March/April Logie Nominations Special, which spotlights contenders and voting details. Themed editions celebrate iconic shows and cultural milestones. In 2016, TV Week published a one-off special edition, TV Week On Demand, dedicated to , informing readers about on-demand services, exclusive content, and how to navigate digital platforms amid the shift from traditional broadcasting. The magazine has also honored long-running series with collector's editions; a 2021 tribute to Home and Away included 100 on-set secrets, never-before-seen photos, and trivia sections to mark the soap's enduring popularity. Coverage of anniversaries, such as the 2015 Neighbours 30th anniversary, featured reunion stories and retrospective features in regular issues, emphasizing the show's impact on Australian TV. Event tie-ins extend to major international broadcasts, where TV Week dedicates space in weekly issues to previews, schedules, and athlete interviews. During the Olympics, such as the 2024 Games, the magazine highlighted Australian coverage across networks like Nine and Seven, including medal predictions and viewing guides. Eurovision broadcasts receive similar treatment, with features on Australian entries, contestant profiles, and live telecast details to build excitement for the annual contest. Reader engagement includes promotions for celebrity meet-and-greets and signings, a tradition dating back to the 1970s when the magazine began advertising fan events tied to popular shows. These opportunities, often listed in issues alongside program highlights, allow fans to interact with stars from series like and . Charity tie-ins underscore the magazine's community role, particularly in health awareness. In 2017, TV Week partnered with The Big Heart Project, a initiative founded by Samuel and Connie Johnson through Love Your Sister, promoting the cause via special features and fundraising appeals in issues. Similar efforts include Pink Ribbon editions supporting , featuring survivor stories and donation calls to action.

Spin-offs

TV Week Soap Extra

TV Week Soap Extra was a short-lived fortnightly magazine published by Bauer Media, launched on July 31, 2014, to target dedicated fans of operas and dramas through comprehensive episode diaries and in-depth storytelling features. The publication emerged from consumer research identifying a for specialized content beyond the main TV Week's general listings, focusing on both local Australian series and international imports. Content emphasized episode recaps, ongoing character developments, and exclusive plot spoilers, presented in a 68-page glossy format rich with high-quality photographs and entertainment news. Produced by the TV Week editorial team, it complemented the parent magazine's broader TV coverage by offering a deeper dive into soap narratives, including detailed guides for popular shows like and . Circulation initially showed promise but declined amid the industry's shift toward digital platforms and reduced print readership for niche titles. Bauer Media discontinued the magazine in late 2015 due to unsustainable sales, with the final issue dated October 29. The spin-off addressed a market gap created by rival soap-focused publications like TV Soap, providing fans with dedicated print resources during a transitional period for the genre. Its closure led to the reintegration of specialized soap content into the core TV Week issues, enhancing the main magazine's drama sections.

TV Week Close Up

TV Week Close Up is a monthly Australian television launched by Bauer Media on 2 2018 as a companion to the weekly TV Week publication. It provides in-depth coverage of Australian television, emphasizing exclusive access to industry updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and celebrity insights. The magazine's content features exclusive interviews with stars and producers, along with production insights into popular shows. For instance, its September 2019 issue was a retro that explored elements of classic Australian programs, celebrating their dramatic moments and cultural impact. This format allows for deeper dives into television trends and developments compared to the parent publication's weekly focus. Building on the predecessor model of specialized spin-offs like TV Week Soap Extra, has evolved into a broader platform for comprehensive TV features. It integrates with digital extensions, including a companion website for additional articles and tie-ins on platforms like to share extended content and engage readers.

Circulation and Cultural Impact

TV Week achieved its highest circulation in the mid-1980s, reaching a peak of 850,000 copies sold weekly, driven by its dominant position as Australia's primary guide during the expansion of broadcasting. This success began to erode in the late and early as major newspapers introduced free TV inserts and glossy program guides, which competed directly with paid magazines and led to a steep decline in sales. By the early , circulation had fallen below 300,000 copies per week, reflecting broader shifts in consumer habits toward these complimentary alternatives. The trend continued into the and , with circulation dropping below 200,000 by the late . As of June 2025, print readership stood at 346,000, though circulation has continued to face pressure from the proliferation of streaming services like and Stan, which diminished reliance on print listings for on-demand content. Advertising revenue from TV networks, a key income source, also declined amid fragmentation to digital platforms. The in exacerbated these challenges, prompting an accelerated pivot to digital editions and online content to sustain operations, even as industry-wide print disruptions occurred. TV Week outlasted competitors such as TV Soap, which ended publication in December after 36 years, but continues to face intense rivalry from free online resources like TV Tonight. Ownership transitions, including the acquisition by from Bauer Media, have shaped efforts to adapt sales strategies amid ongoing market contraction.

Influence on Australian Television Culture

TV Week emerged as a cultural icon in Australian television during the 1960s and 1980s, profoundly shaping fandom through its reader polls, cover features, and awards that elevated emerging stars to national prominence. The magazine's annual TV Week , initiated in 1958 and named by entertainer , became a cornerstone of , with Kennedy himself securing the Gold Logie in 1974 for The Graham Kennedy Show, cementing his status as the "King of Australian Television." Similarly, covers and features spotlighted rising talents like , whose 1987 TV Week cover as Charlene from and her 1988 Gold Logie win amplified her transition from soap actress to pop sensation, influencing youth fandom and music crossovers. These elements fostered a dedicated TV viewing community, where reader-voted accolades and glossy portrayals drove engagement and defined entertainment hierarchies. The magazine's coverage played a pivotal role in amplifying the popularity of iconic soaps and , contributing to their domestic dominance and international export. By featuring cast interviews, episode previews, and Logie nominations—such as Minogue and Jason Donovan's wins for —TV Week heightened viewer anticipation and cultural buzz, helping achieve breakthrough success in the UK starting in 1986, where it quickly garnered a loyal audience and reshaped British daytime viewing habits. For , high-selling covers like the 2004 wedding issue of characters Kirsty and Kane underscored the show's appeal, sustaining its rivalry with and bolstering Seven Network's export efforts to markets including the UK. This promotional synergy not only boosted ratings but also embedded these series in Australian social fabric, influencing storytelling norms around family and community. In the digital era, TV Week has sustained fan communities through active social media engagement on platforms like and , where posts about classic episodes and celebrity updates foster ongoing discussions among nostalgic viewers. Its 2017 60th anniversary issues further exemplified this legacy, featuring retrospectives on TV milestones—from early color broadcasts to streaming—from columnists like Ian "Molly" Meldrum, evoking widespread nostalgia and reinforcing the magazine's role in preserving television history. Broader cultural effects in the include TV Week's promotion of diverse representation via coverage of progressive storylines and emerging talents. Issues and have highlighted LGBTQ+ narratives in shows like , which earned nominations for its bisexual Indigenous character Missy Beckett, alongside features on Indigenous actors such as those in Total Control. This focus aligns with evolving Australian TV, spotlighting inclusive content that reflects societal shifts toward greater visibility for marginalized voices.

Criticism

Coverage Biases and Omissions

In 2013, former Neighbours actress Kym Valentine publicly criticized TV Week for its reduced coverage of the soap opera amid a ratings dip, accusing the magazine of favoring its rival Home and Away instead. Valentine took to Twitter to express her frustration, stating, "Why don't you give Neighbours as much coverage as Home and Away? The fans are asking for it? Bring back the love xx," highlighting perceived uneven treatment between the two long-running Australian soaps produced by competing networks. This incident underscored broader concerns about TV Week's selective focus on high-rating commercial programs, prompting fan support on social media but no formal resolution from the magazine. Historically, TV Week has faced accusations of bias toward commercial free-to-air networks such as Seven and Nine, with public broadcasters ABC and SBS regularly complaining of limited representation in the magazine's content until expansions in the . This favoritism was particularly evident in the TV Week , where voting and coverage were seen to prioritize commercial successes over public and multicultural programming. Such imbalances extended to genres, with heavy emphasis on soaps like contrasting with sparse attention to documentaries, news, or international shows; reader letters in the 1990s often highlighted these omissions, though specific examples remain anecdotal in media analyses. In the 2020s, TV Week adjusted to include more streaming services, yet it has been critiqued for still overlooking independent and niche content in favor of mainstream commercial fare.

Editorial and Industry Controversies

In April 2020, Bauer Media Australia announced significant layoffs amid the economic fallout from , cutting approximately 140 positions across its magazine operations and suspending the printing of several titles. This included the redundancy of TV Week editor Thomas Woodgate, who was offered voluntary severance as part of the broader staff reductions affecting publishers of titles like and NW. The moves, which involved notifying employees via Zoom meetings, drew sharp criticism from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) union for their "cruel and callous" handling, highlighting concerns about the viability of print media in a pandemic-hit market. The 2012 acquisition of ACP Magazines by Bauer Media for A$525 million also sparked operational controversies, including early cost-cutting measures that led to job losses. Shortly after the deal, ACP shuttered its in-house pre-press department, resulting in up to 24 redundancies as production shifted externally. While the transition was initially framed as having minimal impact on operations, these cuts fueled accusations of efficiency-driven rationalization that prioritized short-term savings over local editorial autonomy. In July 2025, —the successor to Bauer Media Australia and publisher of TV Week—entered a formal sale process under its owner, Mercury Capital, five years after acquiring the assets for around A$50 million. The announcement, amid ongoing challenges in the print sector, created uncertainty for staff across titles including TV Week and , with industry observers noting potential implications for job security and content strategies in an increasingly digital landscape.

References

  1. https://www.aremedia.com.au/brands/tv-week/
  2. https://televisionau.com/feature-articles/tv-week
  3. https://www.nowtolove.com.au/entertainment/tv/tv-week-iconic-covers-through-the-years-43171/
  4. https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/asset/91955-page-36-tv-week-january-1-7-1959
  5. https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/07/are-media-hits-the-market.html
  6. https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/1696832
  7. https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/asset/91956-page-37-tv-week-january-1-7-1959
  8. https://digital.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/nodes/view/2098
  9. https://televisionau.com/2020/08/the-last-tv-times.html
  10. https://tvtonight.com.au/2009/04/21-years-of-tv-hits.html
  11. https://televisionau.com/2020/06/tv-week-publisher-sold-to-investment-firm.html
  12. https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/bauer-acquires-acp-magazines-322m-deal/1148348
  13. https://www.bauermedia.com/news/press-release-bmg-to-sell-its-publishing-business-in-australia
  14. https://mumbrella.com.au/bauer-media-completes-sale-to-mercury-capital-635067
  15. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/apr/29/australian-womens-weekly-publisher-bauer-media-suspends-printing-of-certain-titles-and-lays-off-140-staff-amid-coronavirus-fallout
  16. https://www.nowtolove.com.au/tvweek/
  17. https://www.instagram.com/tvweekmag/
  18. https://www.mediaweek.com.au/are-media-is-officially-up-for-sale/
  19. https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/the-australian-women-s-weekly-is-for-sale-20250710-p5mdx0
  20. https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/revolution-will-be-televised
  21. https://www.aremedia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2025-TV-WEEK-Brand-Overview-.pdf
  22. https://www.nowtolove.com.au/entertainment/home-and-away-spoilers-irene-turns-up-drunk-to-an-interview/
  23. https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/celebrity-news/delta-goodrem-olivia-newton-john-biopic-interview-48331/
  24. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3661236/Delta-Goodrem-reveals-desire-start-family-news-s-set-aunty-time.html
  25. https://www.nowtolove.com.au/entertainment/tv/kyle-sandilands-controversy-76589/
  26. https://www.facebook.com/tvweekmag/videos/a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-tvweeks-photoshoot-with-homeandaway-favourite-pennym/1516714372612151/
  27. https://televisionau.com/feature-articles/tv-week/the-logies
  28. https://www.nfsa.gov.au/latest/60-years-tv-week-logie-awards
  29. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10522755/TV-WEEK-magazine-no-longer-running-Logie-Awards.html
  30. https://au.variety.com/2022/tv/news/logies-seven-5723/
  31. https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/logies-2025-full-list-of-winners-and-nominees-at-the-65th-annual-tv-week-logie-awards-20250730-p5mixv.html
  32. https://www.womensweekly.com.au/news/how-to-vote-logie-awards/
  33. https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/tv/the-drama-of-another-logie-leak-ng-ya-278586
  34. https://www.mediaweek.com.au/tv-week-pays-tribute-to-home-and-away/
  35. https://www.mediaweek.com.au/podcast-tv-week-2017/
  36. https://www.mediaweek.com.au/tv-week-editor-thomas-woodgate-2018/
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  38. https://www.mediaweek.com.au/tv-week-to-publish-one-off-special-edition-highlighting-streaming-tv/
  39. https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/celebrity-news/neighbours-celebrates-their-30th-anniversary-23742/
  40. https://www.mediaweek.com.au/what-does-10-and-sevens-programming-look-like-during-the-olympics/
  41. https://www.nowtolove.com.au/entertainment/tv/eurovision-2025-courtney-act-tony-armstrong/
  42. https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/entertainment/how-the-public-can-meet-logies-stars-on-the-gold-coast/news-story/9c80ed276df40f58615d2499591011da
  43. https://www.nowtolove.com.au/entertainment/tv/tv-week-partners-with-the-big-heart-project-37235/
  44. https://tvtonight.com.au/2014/07/tv-week-to-launch-soap-extra-mag.html
  45. https://mumbrella.com.au/bauer-launches-fortnightly-tv-week-soap-extra-159907
  46. https://www.beautydirectory.com.au/news/magazines/the-third-print-launch-for-bauer-this-year
  47. https://mumbrella.com.au/medium-rare-appoints-bauer-medias-erin-mcwhirter-as-editor-of-foxtel-magazine-339404
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  64. https://mumbrella.com.au/bauer-slammed-for-cruel-and-callous-treatment-of-staff-627008
  65. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/jobs-to-go-as-bauer-cuts-costs-at-acp/news-story/20f47bbd16f7c40d0e3fe25cebe66b45
  66. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-04/acp-magazines-to-be-sold-offshore/4242892
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