Dateline (Australian TV program)
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Broadcasting, Journalism |
| Founded | October 19, 1984 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia, International |
| Products | International current affairs television program |
| Website | www |
Dateline is an Australian international current affairs show broadcast on SBS Television. Originally launched as Dateline World at on Friday, 19 October 1984, the program has concentrated on global developments, frequently focusing on regions experiencing conflict or developmental challenges.
In 2015, the series transitioned from a one-hour format featuring multiple reports to a half-hour format dedicated to a single topic, adopting a documentary-style presentation. The program showcases lesser-known international stories and is scheduled for Tuesdays at 9:30 pm, immediately after Insight. All episodes can be accessed via SBS On Demand. It holds the distinction of being Australia's longest-standing international current affairs series.
History
Dateline World first aired at on Friday, 19 October 1984, and was renamed Dateline the following year.
The show has consistently reported on worldwide issues such as armed conflicts, environmental initiatives, social justice matters, crime, women's rights, and political developments. Significant coverage includes the Iraq War, unrest in East Timor (2006), the war in Afghanistan, global terrorism incidents, the emergence of Islamic State, the European refugee crisis, U.S. political shifts during Trump's administration, Brexit, and the pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong.
Between 1984 and 2015, Dateline followed an hour-long format with several stories hosted by a studio presenter. The 2015 revamp introduced half-hour episodes concentrating on a single subject and eliminated the studio host position.
Marking its 40th anniversary in 2024, Dateline continues to be a prominent force in Australia's international current affairs broadcasting landscape.
Personnel
Among its early presenters were Jana Wendt and Pria Viswalingam. Mark Davis served as host from 2003 to 2004, during which he received multiple Walkley Awards nominations. George Negus took over from 2005 until 2010, followed by Mark Davis and Yalda Hakim. Helen Vatsikopoulos also contributed as a host. In December 2012, Yalda Hakim departed for BBC World News, with former CNN journalist Anjali Rao stepping in by February 2013.
The introduction of the new format in 2015 did away with the studio host role. Since then, episodes have been presented by a collective of reporters and guest journalists affiliated with SBS News and Current Affairs, including Marc Fennell, Janice Petersen, Jan Fran, and Laura Murphy Oates.
Executive producers have included Mike Carey (1999–2007), Peter Charley (2007–2014), Bernadine Lim (2014–2018), with Georgina Davies assuming the executive producer role from 2018 onward.
Broadcast and description
As of 2024, Dateline is broadcast as a thirty-minute program on SBS Television every Tuesday at 9:30 pm following Insight. The entire catalogue of episodes is available through SBS On Demand, with fifteen seasons accessible online. The series typically produces around 32 episodes each year.
The program focuses on international stories that receive limited coverage elsewhere, delivered through a documentary-style approach.
Awards
Throughout its run, Dateline has garnered numerous honors including Walkley Awards, Logie Awards, UNAA Media Peace Awards, New York Festival Awards, and recognition from the Australian Screen Editors Guild. It has also been shortlisted for awards such as the One World Media Awards, Association of International Broadcasting Awards, and Asian Academy Awards.