Over the years, the entertainment world has shifted unprecedentedly, transforming Australia to establish its cultural identity by distinguishing it from Western culture. Australia has indeed come a long way when it comes to entertainment. Gone are the days when traditional entertainment, like watching movies or TV, was the only option. With the advent of modern technology, entertainment has taken on a whole new meaning.
Virtual and online entertainment has become increasingly popular, and it’s not hard to see why. For instance, streaming services like Netflix and Stan have revolutionized how people consume television and movies. In the same way, online casinos have transformed the gambling industry. With their extensive tutorials and guides, players can learn everything they need about the game, from basic rules to advanced poker tips. Modern technologies made entertainment more accessible to everyone.
To truly understand modern entertainment, it’s important to explore its historical roots. This article will take readers on a journey through the vast history of the land down under and its entertainment progression.
Early Entertainment in Australia
The history of entertainment dates back to the early 18th century, and so much has happened ever since then. The Recruiting Officer by George Farquhar was the first production performed by convicts in 1789. The Royal Hobart is the oldest theatre in Australia, dating back to 1837 and still operating today.
In terms of entertainment heritage, The Princes Theatre, which has been around for 133 years, is Queensland’s oldest theatre, hosting a diverse range of entertainment. This building has served many purposes over the years, including as a picture theatre, secondhand sales venue, and bulk paper supply store before being converted into a church.
In 1833, two tightrope walkers were the first to perform circus entertainment in Sydney. But the first official circus in Australia dates back to 1847 in Tasmania, by the name of Radford’s Royal Circus. With an extensive history of carnival performances, Australia has been home to many unique acts, such as Dawson’s knife-throwing act and even a circus featuring cockatoos.
Harry Rickards opened the Tivoli Theatre in 1895 by leasing the Prince of Wales Opera House and renovating it. The New Opera House opened in 1901 and was later renamed the Tivoli Theatre in 1912. Nowadays, it has become home to the Tivoli Arcade.
The Rise of Film and Television
As entertainment progressed, electronic entertainment entered the field, with Australia’s first event hosted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on 16 September 1956, broadcasting the first television program. However, the concept of commercials was born, with the first commercial airing in September 1964. Towards the end of the 20th century, Australia broadcasted its first color television program, and ABC-TV was launched in Sydney and Melbourne.
In the late 20th century, Sky News Australia became the first news channel to broadcast news around the clock. In 1997, satellite and cable subscriptions were introduced by Foxtel. In 2017, Australia introduced a tax rebate to encourage the local television and film industry. Nowadays, Netflix and Stan are the most popular entertainment providers.
In 1975, Peter Weir directed “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” an adaptation of Joan Lindsay’s novel inspired by Hollywood’s Australian invasion. The movie became popular towards the end of the 20th century.
In March 1985, “Neighbors,” a long-running serial created by Reg Watson, was aired on TV. The Seven Network commissioned it after Watson’s previous successful soap opera. It became famous in Melbourne but was later canceled.
Filmed in approximately 12 days with a budget of $750,000, “The Castle,” directed by Rob Sitch and filmed in Melbourne, became the highest-grossing comedy film at the Australian box office in 1997.
The Emergence of Live Music Venues
The growth of live music in Australia has made it one of the most prominent live music capitals worldwide, hosting approximately 62,000 live concerts yearly. In 1878, The Esplanade Hotel was built and soon became one of the foremost 19th-century resort hotels. To this day, it hosts a live music event every Sunday; the events start at 1 pm with a live acoustic set, and by nightfall, the bar blasts with local DJs.
Australia is the birthplace of the famous AC/DC rock band, formed in Sydney by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young and significantly impacted the history of heavy metal. When asked, the band would categorize their art as pure “rock and roll.” The name was meant to convey “alternating current/direct current” electricity, and the brothers chose the abbreviation to describe the symbolism behind their music.
Another Australian band, The Farriss Brothers, chose to do a phonetic play on words, selecting the phrase “in excess” as the band’s name, which was then shortened to INXS. Their first hit was in 1984, titled “Original Sin.” Towards the end of the 20th century, the band gained national fame and released some of their best-selling albums, including “Listen Like Thieves,” “Kick,” and “X.”
One of Australia’s most influential live music venues is The Tote, formerly a hotel located in Collingwood, Melbourne. The Tote continues to host several international performances and local acts
The Digital Age and the Impact on Entertainment
Over recent years, the entertainment industry in Australia has grown rapidly, driven by technological changes and adaptations to consumer preferences and globalization. The advertising and subscription industry generated over $7.6 billion in revenue. In 2019, the film industry generated $2 billion in revenue with the help of government incentives to attract international productions to Australia.
Another significant figure in 2020 was the $660 million the Australian music industry generated, with major contributions from Tones and I and The Kid LAROI, who gained an international reputation, particularly in digital sales and streaming platforms.
In 2022, the entertainment industry experienced its second-highest annual growth in history. Although the market rate for advertising was higher than consumer spending, financial predictions suggest that consumer spending will continue to grow as opposed to advertising spending.
Nevertheless, the future looks promising for the Australian entertainment industry as it keeps up with market demands. With the emergence of technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and cryptocurrency in Australia, there are exciting new opportunities for the industry to continue to grow and adapt to changing consumer preferences
