Collectors (TV series)

Collectors

Company type	Television program
Industry	Television broadcasting
Founded	2005
Defunct	2011
Headquarters	Australia
Products	Television series

Collectors was an Australian TV program broadcast on ABC1 every Friday at 8:00 pm, with repeats airing on ABC2 Mondays at 6:00 pm. The series showcased various collections from both museums and private individuals. Initially, the show was hosted by comedian and former biologist Andy Muirhead, accompanied by a panel comprising fashion designer Claudia Chan Shaw, antiques expert Gordon Brown, and sociology academic Adrian Franklin. Previous panel members included curator Niccole Warren and Lauren Carpenter. Distinguished guests featured on the program included former immigration minister Amanda Vanstone, ex-opposition leader Kim Beazley, and Pete Cooper, a musician from The Porkers.

In June 2010, Andy Muirhead faced charges related to child pornography, prompting Collectors to pause for one month while Muirhead took unpaid leave. During this period, the show's website was temporarily removed. The ABC's management of the incident attracted criticism for allegedly insinuating guilt. When the program returned in July 2010, Muirhead was absent; Claudia Chan Shaw took over as lead host, and episodes featuring Muirhead were removed from broadcast schedules. Subsequently, in July 2012, Muirhead entered a guilty plea and received a 10-month jail sentence in October.

Following a strategic review of its arts content, the ABC announced in August 2011 that Collectors would be "rested," with its final episode airing on 23 September 2011. The production team then shifted focus to developing a new series titled Auction Room, which premiered in 2012.

On 20 November 2012, ABC decided to shut down its Tasmanian production division, citing Tasmania’s small market size as insufficient to justify fixed production expenses. As a result, neither Collectors nor Auction Room received renewal for further seasons.

Segments

Episodes typically included several recurring segments:

Under the Hammer

Auction specialist Justin Murphy would select an item for bidding by the panel, with victory awarded to the closest bid. This segment was later replaced by a contest where panelists purchased items for resale at auction, competing to achieve the lowest profit margin.

Passionate Collector

Features profiling collectors with strong enthusiasm for their collections.

Mystery Object

The panel examined an unusual or unidentified item.

Roving Eye

Gordon Brown explored antique furniture and collectible items; this feature was discontinued after 2009.

My Obsession

In-depth profiles focusing on collectors possessing highly specialized collections.

Show and Tell

Audience members submitted photographs of objects seeking identification and valuation.

Collector Cam

Viewers contributed videos showcasing their collections, competing for an opportunity to have their collection displayed at the National Museum of Australia; this segment ended in 2006.

Additionally, most episodes included reports from panelists covering diverse collecting topics.