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Foxtel: 2013 highlights

Foxtel announces Airdates for Game of Thrones, Smash, The Walking Dead, The Carrie Diaries and more.

2012-12-24_0016Foxtel has announced many of its 2013 highlights, including Airdates for a number of profile shows such as Game of Thrones, Smash, The Walking Dead, Chicago Fire, The Carrie Diaries, Girls and Justified.

Amongst the local content for 2013 are Australia’s Next Top Model, Wentworth, Top of the Lake, Selling Houses Australia, Grand Designs Australia, Kings Cross ER and a new food series Ask The Butcher starring Anthony Puharich.

Foxtel will maintain its “Express from the US” strategy for key shows.

The Pay TV provider also has more programming highlights yet to be revealed for the year.

Australian programs
Australia’s Next Top Model S8 – FOX8
Model, brand ambassador and business woman Jennifer Hawkins leads the catwalk strut in the much-anticipated brand new season of Australia’s Next Top Model. Having established herself as one of the most in demand and popular models in Australia, Jennifer will mentor the next generation of hopefuls as they pursue their dreams of being Australia’s Next Top Model. Filming commences in January for the eighth instalment of the show that has been the number one series on Foxtel for the last five consecutive years.

Wentworth – SoHo
Wentworth will be bold Australian storytelling with an impressive ensemble cast playing out the rivalries, power struggles and heartbreak of prison life in a drama tailor-made for the subscription television audience. The 10-part drama is a contemporary reimagining of the iconic Prisoner series. Wentworth’s prisoners are Danielle Cormack (Underbelly Razor, Rake) as the cell block’s latest arrival, suburban wife and mum Bea Smith, Nicole Da Silva (Rush, East West 101) as GenY lesbian Franky Doyle, Celia Ireland (Laid, All Saints) as earthy Liz Birdsworth, Kris McQuade (Killing Time, The Circuit) as newly-created character, crime matriarch Jacs Holt and, in her first major television role, Shareena Clanton as young Aboriginal woman Doreen Anderson. Catherine McClements (Rush, Water Rats) and Kate Atkinson (Offspring, Rush) play Governor Meg Jackson and her deputy Vera Bennett. Aaron Jeffery (Underbelly Badness, McLeod’s Daughters) and Robbie Magasiva (Shortland Street) are corrections officers Matthew “Fletch” Fletcher and Will Jackson. Leeanna Walsman (Underbelly Badness) plays progressive and crusading lawyer Erica Davidson. Wentworth is in production over summer on a purpose-built prison set in Melbourne and will premiere in 2013.

Top of the Lake – UKTV
Twelve year old Tui Mitcham, daughter of the local drug lord, is pulled from the freezing waters of a South Island lake in New Zealand. She is discovered to be pregnant and won’t say who the father is. Then she disappears. Robin Griffin is a gutsy but inexperienced detective called in to investigate. But as Robin becomes more and more obsessed with the search for Tui, she slowly begins to realise that finding the girl is tantamount to finding herself – a self she has kept well-hidden. From Academy Award winning writer/director Jane Campion and the Academy Award winning producers of The King’s Speech, Top of the Lake is a powerful and haunting mystery starring Elisabeth Moss, David Wenham, Peter Mullan, Thomas M Wright and Holly Hunter. Set against a vast, varied terrain – moody, pure and remote – Top of the Lake is a story about our search for happiness, where the dream of paradise has its own dark shadow.

River Cottage Australia – The LifeStyle Channel
River Cottage Australia will be the first international version of the hugely successful series. Mentored by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, River Cottage Australia will search for the new ‘Aussie Hugh’ – testing the contender’s knowledge of food, enthusiasm for all things wild and local, and resilience in setting up a sustainable farm in the Australian countryside. Production commences in early 2013.

Aussie Pickers – A&E
A brand new eight part Australian series for A&E following two “pickers”, Lucas Callaghan and Adam McDonald, who hit the back roads and barnyards of Australia, earning a living by restoring forgotten relics to their former glory, transforming one person’s trash into another’s treasure. The series will follow the Australian pickers as they scour the country for hidden gems in junkyards, basements, garages and sheds, meeting quirky characters and hearing their amazing stories. If you think the antique business is all about upscale boutiques and buttoned-up dealers, think again!

Come Dine with Me Australia S4 – The LifeStyle Channel
Back by popular demand, Come Dine with Me Australia returns to The LifeStyle Channel for a fourth season, with five weekly episodes each featuring four hosts, all strangers to each other. As the grog flows, the hosts go all out to impress. The cooking is competitive and often colourfully embellished with themed nights, dress ups and surprise entertainments. Typically, soon as the host has their back turned the guests get stuck in critiquing everything from the food to the mood. They also trot off for the obligatory (often hilarious) house snoop. Starts January 8, Tuesdays at 8.30pm.

Ask The Butcher – LifeStyle FOOD
When Anthony Puharich was a young boy, he spent countless houses with his father, Vic, one of Australia’s leading butchers – learning how to work with, cook and respect all varieties of meat. 20-years later, Anthony, along with his father have grown Vic’s Premium Quality Meats from a retail shop in Sydney, to an international meat wholesaler. Ask The Butcher will take you behind the farm gate, into the deep freezer and on to the hot grill, to learn anything you could possibly want to know about meat with Anthony visiting the kitchens of some of Australia’s top chefs including Peter Gilmore, Matt Moran, Shannon Bennett, Kylie Kwong and Neil Perry. As well as explore cooking at home and how best to utilise the meats readily available at your local butchers.

Selling Houses Australia S6 – The LifeStyle Channel
Foxtel’s most awarded series, Selling Houses Australia returns, delving in to the issues faced by property owners as they navigate through the real estate market. Presenter and property expert, Andrew Winter is back with interior designer Shaynna Blaze and garden designer Charlie Albone.

Grand Designs Australia S4 – The LifeStyle Channel
Hosted by Peter Maddison, Grand Designs Australia tells the stories of new homes and perhaps more importantly the people who are building them. The series charts the in-depth process of elaborate design projects undertaken by self-builders – from the initial details of blueprints, to the long and often arduous task of turning the designs into a practical living space.

Off Their Rockers – The Comedy Channel
Off Their Rockers is hosted by Sam Kekovich, a man renowned for his trademark no-nonsense comedy which goes straight to the heart of ANY subject. Sam crosses the divide between the audience and our outrageous oldies who go where others fear to tread. Using hidden cameras to film outrageous sketches, a gang of elderly pranksters turn the tables on their young victims. Instead of bingo, a cup of tea and an afternoon nap, they spend their day’s punking an unsuspecting public. The results are shocking and hilarious. Off Their Rockers is proof that when it comes to behaving badly, today’s kids have nothing on this group of oldies. Starts January 13, Sundays at 7.30pm

Outback Coroner – CI
Outback Coroner is a fascinating observational documentary series exploring accidental and mysterious deaths in the most remote regions of Australia. Every state and territory in Australia has a Coroner – it’s the oldest legal office in the English legal system – police, forensic investigators, psychologists and grief counsellors are all part of the team working for the Coroner. This one-of-a-kind series will take the viewers inside the mindset and the challenges confronting the Coroner and his team as they investigate the forensic evidence, conduct autopsies and counsel the bereaved, while seeking answers to the unexplained death.

The Train: The Granville Disaster – The History Channel
Hosted by iconic newscaster Brian Henderson, History reveals the never before told true story of the courage and compassion, the heartbreak and heroes of the Granville Train Disaster, thirty six years after it happened. For the first time, survivors and rescuers reunite to recall the fateful moments on January 18, 1977 when a regular train ride from the Blue Mountains to work, a shopping trip to the city or a school holiday adventure instead became a journey that would end as Australia’s worst rail tragedy. The one-hour special airs Friday, January 18, at 7.30pm.

Kings Cross ER S2 – CI
Return to Australia’s busiest and most dramatic Emergency Departments, St Vincent’s Hospital. Just a stone’s throw away from Sydney’s infamous King’s Cross, the series takes you up close to a world of medicine that is fascinating, challenging though also uplifting.

New international programs
1600 Penn – THE COMEDY CHANNEL
The Gilchrists are just the average American family dealing with all the everyday issues – like a grown kid who’s forced to move back home, children who are smarter than their teachers and a stepmom (Jenna Elfman) desperately trying to win over the kids. They’re loving, fun and a little crazy. In other words, just like everybody else. With one exception: they live in a very special house. The White House! Bill Pullman plays President Dale Gilchrist. Starts January 13, Sundays at 9.30pm, express from the US.

American Gods – showcase
In 2013, HBO is planning yet another high-profile fantasy series. American Gods, based on Neil Gaiman’s bestselling novel, is currently in development. Production duties will fall to Playtone, the production company started by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. Films in Playtone’s resume include Hanks-heavy features like Cast Away and The Polar Express, not to mention high profile HBO projects such as Band of Brothers, The Pacific and John Adams.

Chicago Fire – FOX8
No job is more stressful, dangerous or exhilarating than those of the firefighters, rescue squad and paramedics of Chicago Firehouse 51. From renowned Emmy winning producer Dick Wolf, summers biggest drama follows the courageous men and women who forge headfirst into danger when everyone else is running the other way. Australia’s Jesse Spencer stars. Starts Thursday January 10 at 8.30pm.

The Carrie Diaries – FOX8
It’s 1984, and life isn’t easy for 16-year-old Carrie Bradshaw. Since their mother passed away, Carrie’s younger sister is more rebellious than ever, and their father is overwhelmed with the responsibility of suddenly having to care for two teenage girls on his own, while a suburban life in Connecticut isn’t doing much to take her mind off her troubles. When Carrie is given the chance to intern at a law firm in Manhattan, she leaps at the chance. Carrie’s eyes are opened wide at the glamour and grit of New York City – and when she meets Larissa, the style editor for Interview magazine, she’s inspired by the club culture and unique individuals that make up Larissa’s world. Carrie’s friends and family may have a big place in her heart, but she’s fallen in love for the first time with the most important man in her life – Manhattan. Starts January, express from the US. Starts January 15, Tuesdays at 8.30pm, express from the US.

Da Vinci’s Demons – FX
Written by David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight), Da Vinci’s Demons follows the ‘untold’ story of one the world’s greatest geniuses during his turbulent youth in Renaissance Florence. Brilliant and passionate, the twenty-five-year old Da Vinci is an artist, inventor, swordsman, lover, dreamer and idealist. As a free thinker, with intellect and talents that are almost superhuman, he struggles to live within the confines of his own reality and time. He begins not only to see the future, but to invent it.

Hollyoaks – UKTV
Vibrant and youthful serial drama Hollyoaks is coming to UKTV in 2013 – the only channel in Australia to show all four of the UK’s smash hit soaps. UKTV has listened to its dedicated soap fans, who consistently make EastEnders and Coronation Street two of the most popular shows on subscription television, and will be delivering exclusive episodes every weeknight first on Foxtel.

Mankind: The Story Of All Of Us – The History Channel
Narrated by Jack Thompson, this epic History Channel series showcases the rise of human civilisation across the globe with groundbreaking special effects and big-budget production techniques

Top Gear S19 – UKTV
For the first time in history Top Gear is first on Foxtel. Express from the UK, season 19 kicks off on BBC Knowledge in early 2013. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May return for another series of the world-famous motoring show featuring the latest models, crazy stunts and the boys’ trademark humour.

Transporter: The Series – FX
Frank Martin is the Transporter. You want something moved, moved fast, and moved right, you get Frank Martin. He carries anything, anywhere, no questions asked. Ex-Special Forces, he’s acquired the driving, fighting and survival skills to make the delivery on schedule, and he never quits until the package is where it’s supposed to be.

Returning international programs

Boardwalk Empire S4 – showcase – express from the US and only on Foxtel

The Borgias S3 – SoHo – only on Foxtel

Breaking Bad S5 part two (final) – showcase – express from the US and only on Foxtel

Call Me Fitz S3 – FX – Monday, January 28 at 9.30pm

Dance Moms Series 2 – Lifestyle YOU – only on Foxtel

Dexter S8 – showcase – express from the US

Enlightened S2 – showcase – Monday, January 14 at 5.15pm – express from the US and only on Foxtel

Girls S2 – showcase – Monday, January 14 at 5.45pm – express from the US and only on Foxtel

Game of Thrones S3 – showcase – Monday, April 1 – express from the US and only on Foxtel

The Glades S4 – SoHo – first on Foxtel

Justified S4 – FX – Wednesday, January 16 at 8.30pm – express from the US

Mad Dogs S3 – FX – express from the UK

Magic City S2 – SoHo – only on Foxtel

The Newsroom S2 – SoHo – only on Foxtel

Shameless S3 – SoHo – February – only on Foxtel

Smash S2 – SoHo – Wednesday, February 6 at 7.30pm – express from the US and first on Foxtel

The Only Way Is Essex S5 – Lifestyle YOU – only on Foxtel

Treme S4 – showcase – only on Foxtel

True Blood S6 – showcase – express from the US and only on Foxtel

VEEP S2 – showcase – express from the US and only on Foxtel

The Walking Dead S3 – FX – returns Tuesday, February 12 at 8.30pm – express from the US and only on Foxtel

XIII S2 – FX – Thursday, January 17 at 7.30pm – only on Foxtel

Sport
Foxtel has a huge sporting line-up for 2013. FOX Sports has the action at home and abroad, subscribers can revel in the battle against the old enemy with coverage of every match of the British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia and every Ashes Test from England, all live and in stunning High Definition. FOX Sports delivers five live matches each round in the 2013 NRL Telstra Premiership, plus every match in the Hyundai A-League and Super Rugby.

Australia’s 24/7 AFL channel FOX Footy returns with live, uninterrupted and high definition coverage of every game in the 2013 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. ESPN is home to the NBA, NFL and SuperBowl XLVII, RBS 6 Nations Rugby, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, X GAMES, ATP Tennis, NCAA College Basketball and Football and World Series of Poker. Additionally, ESPN’s portfolio provides sports fans with thousands of hours of news and information programming including daily editions of ESPN’s flagship SportsCenter, local show PTI Australia with Sam Kekovich and Russ Barwick, ESPNFC Press Pass and ESPN’s exclusive behind the scenes show for Aussie sports fans – the award winning Aussies Abroad.

All times are AEDT.

17 Responses

  1. @max. Don’t get your points. Most of those premium shows (ie: Game of Thrones) are on cable in the USA as well. It’s not like people in the USA are getting to see them without a charge.

  2. Was hoping Newsroom would’ve been added to their fast-tracking regime. Ah well, I can live with 1 or 2 of my Foxtel shows being delayed as long as isn’t unreasonably so.

  3. You can access shows on DVD cheaper than Foxtel, if you only want to watch a few of them. You have to wait a year though.

    In the US iTunes and Amazon sell shows at $2/ep. And they are available on Hulu and Netflix as well. But you have the internets costs,which in Australia are some of the most expensive in the world, and will only get more so with the NBN.

    There has been talk of such services starting up here but so far nothing has happened and probably won’t until the NBN is up and running.

    There are services that will allow you to get around the geographic restrictions and let you get shows from the US and UK, and you can even get US billed credit cards for pay services from there.

    .

  4. @Psycho – But viewers shouldn’t have to buy an expensive cable package they don’t want to only watch one or two premium shows like Game of Thrones. There still needs to be more ways to access to these shows – quickly and very cheaply.

  5. Thanks for this, David. The wonderful thing about TV is that, although we lose some shows and say goodbye to others, there are always interesting and engaging shows ready to step in and take their places.

    I’m looking forward to several new possibilities on this list: American Gods, The Carrie Diaries, Da Vinci’s Demons and Mankind: The Story of Us, along with the return of Smash, Dexter, Game of Thrones, and The Walking Dead.

    Merry Christmas, everyone. And a safe and Happy New Year.

  6. @jonasboi
    people have a whinge when Foxtel wait 2-3months to play the new seasons now they are having a cry because they played them the same as the US but now the US is on the holiday break. you cant please everyone, at least they are trying to cut into the illegal downloading by showing some shows Express.

  7. I thought Foxtel had to clarify the AFL games it broadcasts are native HD while the games they broadcast from ch 7 are upscaled as per the ACCC ruling – accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1080029

    I’m sure many people assume “high definition” is not upscaled content unless specified otherwise.

    If ch 7 have secretly upgraded their broadcast to HD without telling anyone then disregard but somehow I don’t think that’s likely 🙂

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