The 1960’s saw the networking of Channel Seven stations as cities began to be connected via coaxial cable, and the simultaneous broadcast of live shows became a reality.
During the late 1950’s ATN-7 Sydney had formed an affiliation with GTV-9 Melbourne, and HSV-7 Melbourne had linked up with TCN-9 Sydney. In 1960 however, the owner of TCN-9, Frank Packer, bought a controlling share of GTV-9 and created Australia’s first television network. This left ATN-7 and HSV-7 out on their own.
ATN-7 Sydney
Adding to the desire for the Channel Seven stations to form a network of their own was the opening of the first major coaxial cable link between Sydney and Melbourne in 1963. This opened the doors for stations to share programming, and new affiliations began to be formed. As expected, later in the year ATN-7 Sydney and HSV-7 Melbourne joined together to form the Australian Television Network (ATN).
Another channel 7 station to be opened was CTC-7 Canberra in 1962. Despite the frequency, this station remained independent as a monopoly broadcaster up until aggregation in the late 80’s, when it became affiliated to Network Ten.
BTQ-7 Brisbane
The Australian crime drama Homicide made its premiere on HSV-7 Melbourne on 20th October, 1964. It was screened nationally on the Seven Network for the next 12 years.
Adelaide’s third commercial broadcaster, SAS-10, was launched in 1965 and immediately became part of the 0-10 Network. It was in competition with ADS-7, however SAS would later swap frequencies with ADS to become part of the Seven Network.
