Blasts from television’s past
A saucy soapie is set to join dozens of other classic Australian TV shows and movies that are available online
When I was growing up in the 1970s, it was the show that scandalised Australia.
It was also compulsory viewing in many households and a guilty pleasure in others.
I’m talking about the nightly soap opera Number 96, which was not only shocking 50 years ago, but remains edgy and topical.
In fact, with its regular explicit nudity and controversial story lines – about taboo subjects such as sexual assault, same-sex relationships, and drug use – it probably wouldn’t be commissioned or screened by any free-to-air television network today. Home And Away it certainly is not.
And so, the show that was an instant hit for the 0-10 (now just Ten) Network when it debuted in 1972 is making its return on the streaming service, Brollie.If you remember Number 96, you may be interested in seeing it again. If you don’t remember it, proceed with caution!
The show’s return is part of a broader trend of older Australian television programs finding a new audience on streaming platforms.
Brollie, which is a free service supported by advertising, is also screening the well-loved children’s show Round the Twist.
Other free streamers, including those owned by the free-to-air networks, are embracing popular Australian programs from the past too.
On 7Plus, you can find the likes of A Country Practice, Packed to the Rafters, and Always Greener; 9Now has McLeod’s Daughters and Underbelly; 10Play has Prisoner, Water Rats, and thousands of old Neighbours episodes; ABC iView has Countdown, Frontline, and Mother and Son (the 1984 original and the more recent remake); and SBS On Demand has some wonderful old Aussie films, including Malcolm, Puberty Blues, and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
Some favourite shows from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s are also available on the paid-for streaming services but, sadly, many programs you may remember from your childhood or youth are not available at all – online or in any other format.
In some cases, it’s because of complicated rights issues, where certain content, usually music, used in the productions was not authorised for repeat screenings.
In other cases, it’s because the film on which they were made has been lost or destroyed, or expensive video tapes were wiped and re-used because producers and television networks did not recognise their potential value.
Even with Number 96, only 18 of the original 584 black-and-white episodes still exist.
Brollie will show those episodes from 16 May, followed by a “bridging episode” hosted by TV historian Andrew Mercado, then the 634 colour episodes at the rate of five per week from 30 May.
Don’t say you weren’t warned!
Related reading: TV Tonight
