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ADS (TV station)

From Alfawiki
ADS
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryTelevision broadcasting
FoundedOctober 24, 1959; 67 years ago (1959-10-24) in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
FounderThe Advertiser newspaper (part of The Herald and Weekly Times group)
Headquarters
Adelaide
,
Australia
Area served
Adelaide, South Australia
ProductsTelevision broadcasting, local news production
OwnerParamount Networks UK & Australia via Network 10
ParentNetwork 10

ADS is a television broadcaster located in Adelaide, South Australia, operating under the ownership and management of Paramount Networks UK & Australia via Network 10.

History

Launched on 24 October 1959 as ADS-7, the station was initially owned by The Advertiser newspaper, which was part of The Herald and Weekly Times group from Melbourne, the founders of HSV-7. Originally, ADS was associated with channel 7 stations across eastern Australia, forming the Australian Television Network, a forerunner to the contemporary Seven Network. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, ADS adopted the branding and presentation style aligned with the Seven Network.

In response to cross-media ownership reforms during the late 1980s, media proprietor Kerry Stokes acquired ADS-7 along with CTC-7 Canberra. Although Stokes attempted to purchase the Seven Network in 1987, he was outbid by Christopher Skase. Without the ability to establish a metropolitan Seven network, Stokes sold ADS, CTC, and his Perth license to Northern Star Holdings, the proprietors of Network 10.

This transaction created an uncommon arrangement where Adelaide’s stations were affiliated with networks broadcasting on different channel numbers. To synchronize with their new network alignments, ADS-7 and Adelaide’s original Network Ten station SAS-10 exchanged both their network affiliations and channel frequencies on 27 December 1987. Consequently, ADS transitioned to channel 10, becoming Network 10’s longest-standing station, while SAS shifted to channel 7.

Shortly thereafter, ADS embraced Network Ten’s "X" logo in anticipation of the network’s forthcoming expansions into Perth and Canberra.

In July 2007, ADS-10 moved its operations from its longtime premises at 125 Strangways Terrace, North Adelaide to new studios situated at Wakefield and Hutt streets in Adelaide’s city centre. Then in February 2022, Network 10 relocated once more to advanced facilities on Greenhill Road in Eastwood, marking the end of a fifteen-year period at the Hutt Street site.

Digital multiplex

LCN Service SD/HD
1 10 HD HD
10 10 SD
11 10 Comedy SD
12 10 Drama HD
13 Nickelodeon SD
15 10 HD HD
16 You.tv SD
17 Gecko TV SD

Program production

At its inception, the Opening Night Variety Show showcased Sydney-based television talents including Bobby Limb, Dawn Lake, and comedian Buster Fiddess. The production was overseen by Fred Maxian with direction by Geoff Grant. This launch introduced key presenters for news segments, children’s programming, and daytime shows such as Marie Tomasetti, Ian Cochius, and Angela Stacey.

Among early offerings was the talent competition Stairway to the Stars, hosted by Tomasetti, which served as a platform for emerging artists. The Monday evening variety program The Light Show featured performers from other states like the Bee Gees as well as international stars including Tommy Steele. To cover live events such as John Martin's Christmas Pageant, Glenelg Beach Concerts, The Beatles’ visit to Adelaide, and major sporting occasions, the station utilized a three-camera outside broadcast vehicle manufactured by German company Fernseh.

Owned by Advertiser Newspapers and technically supported by Philips Electronics, ADS operated studios in North Adelaide with transmission facilities located at Mount Lofty. The team included seasoned professionals recruited from Adelaide radio station 5AD and Melbourne television outlets GTV-9 and ABV-2. Under general manager Keith McDonald and program manager Neville Thomson’s leadership, ADS-7 earned national acclaim for its high production standards guided by art directors Trevor Ling and Brian Thompson.

Studio directors such as John Adey and Lynton Taylor produced a wide range of live weekly content including sports panel discussions, game shows, cooking segments, religious broadcasts, and children’s entertainment programs like "Funfair." Technical operations were managed by chief engineer Norm Sawyer alongside financial director Brian Sallis; they were supported by skilled teams specializing in film processing, set design and construction, as well as maintenance.

Several nationally broadcast programs originated here including Playroom, developed by early childhood media innovator Heather Gell. The news department led by Don Riddell covered major global events like the building of the Berlin Wall, President Kennedy’s assassination in the United States, and the Moon landing. Field camera operators documented local news stories plus significant moments such as Donald Campbell’s land speed record attempts at Lake Eyre.

Sound quality for both studio productions and field reports was ensured by audio directors Mal Boxer and Brian Thomas. Popular shows during this era included children’s series like Cartoon Connection, SPECCO, KO, along with the later nationally broadcast preschool program Mulligrubs. Music-focused programs such as Music Express (1975–1986) and variety shows like On The Sunnyside and The Penthouse Club enriched the station’s diverse schedule.

The current affairs show State Affair, hosted by Guy Blackmore after nightly news bulletins, concentrated on South Australian issues. Annual broadcasts included the Easter Appeal telethon supporting Adelaide Children's Hospital from 1967 through 1984. Additionally, ADS-7 aired South Australian National Football League (SANFL) games featuring commentators Bruce McAvaney, Peter Marker, Robert Oatey, and Ian Day.

The Strangways Terrace complex contained two studios: Studio 1 accommodated large-scale productions such as the Channel Seven Easter Appeal telethon and Wheel of Fortune, while Studio 2 was designated for smaller entertainment formats including The Super Fun Show, music programs, news bulletins, and current affairs programming. Longtime audio engineers Mal Boxer and Brian Thomas played vital roles both on-camera and behind the scenes.

Beginning in July 1981 at ADS-10’s Studio 1, Wheel of Fortune was hosted initially by Ernie Sigley (later succeeded by John Burgess), Adriana Xenides, and Steve Curtis (followed by John Deeks). Following the station affiliation swap in late 1987 that moved Wheel of Fortune to SAS-7 studios, it remained there until relocating to ATN-7 Sydney in July 1996.

Current in-house productions

  • 10 News: Adelaide (Friday edition along with sports and weather updates) (1987–2000, 2011–2020, 2023–present)

Previous in-house productions

News and current affairs

ADS-10 is responsible for producing a local news broadcast airing at 5pm on weekdays.

The program 10 News Adelaide is anchored from Network 10’s Sydney studio by Kate Freebairn, with Max Bulford delivering sports segments and Tiffany Warne presenting the weather. Meanwhile, reporters, camera operators, and editorial personnel work from ADS-10’s studios located on Greenhill Road in Eastwood.

In September 2020, the production of the Adelaide news bulletin was relocated to Network 10’s Melbourne headquarters, which led to job cuts among local presentation and production teams.

News presenter

Sports presenter

  • Max Bulford (2023–present)

Weather presenter

  • Tiffany Warne (2023–present)

Reporters

  • Danny Adamopoulos (Chief of Staff)
  • Tiffany Warne
  • Katrina Muhsin
  • Brett Clappis
  • Alan Murrell (Senior)
  • Jase Kemp (Sport)
  • Caroline O'Dea
  • Taylee Jones
  • Jodie Oddy

Former presenters

Former reporters

See also

References

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