Here’s a riddle for you. What Brisbane icon started with independent TV stations and now broadcasts across Australia? It’s Seven Network Brisbane.
Seven Network Brisbane began as a group of independent stations. These stations were in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. The story of Seven Network Brisbane begins in 1959. BTQ-7 Brisbane launched on November 1. It was Brisbane’s second television station. QTQ, the Nine Network station, launched three months earlier. ABQ, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation station, launched one day after BTQ.
These stations operated independently. They each had different schedules. In the early 1960s, coaxial cables linked the cities. This allowed them to share content. It also allowed simultaneous broadcasts of live programs.
In 1970, the stations adopted the name Network 7. A national network logo was born. Colour television launched in Australia in 1975. Network 7 embraced this technology with a colourful new logo.
Let’s jump to the early eighties. Seven National News became the first Brisbane-based bulletin. It was relayed throughout independent Queensland telecasters. BTQ was also a major production house for children’s television. It hosted popular shows. Wombat, Now You See It, and Family Feud were among them. There was also Play Your Cards Right and Seven’s Super Saturday. Seven’s Super Saturday featured Agro the puppet.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Seven Network Brisbane regularly opened its facilities. The Brisbane public was invited to Open Days. In the 1970s, BTQ held annual telethons. These telethons supported the Children’s Hospital. They featured network personalities.
In 1995, Seven Network Brisbane also produced Tourist TV. This tourist information channel was available in Gold Coast hotels and resorts. Sea World Nara Resort was among them.
Until 2007, Seven Network Brisbane was the key station. It ran the national Austext teletext service. The service was later automated out of ATN-7 Sydney. It was decommissioned in September 2009.
In July 2018, deconstruction of the BTQ transmission tower began. It had served for nearly 60 years. On July 21, 2018, the top half of the tower was removed. A destruction crew used a helicopter to remove the broadcasting elements. The station no longer used these elements.
Seven News Brisbane is directed by Michael Coombes. Max Futcher and Sarah Greenhalgh present the weeknight news. Samantha Heathwood presents on weekends. The Seven Network Brisbane studios are located at Mount Coot-tha. Steve Titmus presents sport from Sunday to Wednesday. Ben Davis presents from Thursday to Saturday. Tony Auden presents the weather from Sunday to Thursday. Paul Burt presents on Friday and Saturday.
The bulletin is also simulcast on 96.5 Family FM. It reaches viewers in regional Queensland. These areas include the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay-Burnett. It also reaches Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns. It also reaches central and remote areas of eastern Australia. This is via the Seven Queensland network and Southern Cross Central.
Today, Seven Network Brisbane continues to be a major broadcasting hub. It delivers news, sports, and entertainment to Brisbane and beyond. Its long history reflects its commitment to Queensland.