While considerably smaller than the UK or USA, Australia has managed to transform itself into a cultural powerhouse across the 20th and 21st centuries. The antipodean nation has a reputation for producing remarkably high-quality film and television despite its relatively small domestic market and talent pool; no mean feat, especially given that it’s little more than a hundred years old.
As a result of this, an astonishing number of iconic Aussie TV shows are available for streaming online. If you’re looking to get better acquainted with the Australian cultural landscape, then listen up! In this article, we’ll be delving deeper into the presence of Australian media across streaming platforms, as well as some of the best Australian TV shows of all time that can be streamed online.
Background: Aussie Media in the Streaming Landscape
Technology has truly changed the way we consume media and entertain ourselves for good. It’s incredible what we can do from the comfort of our own home nowadays, thanks to technology – in addition to streaming movies and TV shows, we have access to incredible amounts of music, as well as books and online games. And, thanks to technology, we even have online casinos, allowing you to play, for example, jackpot slots at Joe Fortune or blackjack from your own living room.
Reading this, you may get the impression that the entertainment landscape of the 21st century is somewhat oversaturated. And, to an extent, you’d be right. With so many options for entertaining ourselves at our fingertips, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or even burnt out by it all. We haven’t even touched on social media here!
Despite all of this, Australian media has managed to carve out a real reputation and following for itself, not just Down Under but across the globe, too. Australian television is renowned for being sharply funny and innovative; a far cry from many of the generic, derivative American productions we can see popping up on Netflix on what more or less feels like a daily basis.
So, if you’re trying to get to know Australian culture better, then watching Aussie TV shows is a fantastic way to do so – it’s also never been easier. If you’re not able to visit Australia and have a truly local experience, like visiting local markets, 44vendors, landmarks, or nature spots, then why not sit back, relax, and let your screen take you there instead?
The Best Australian TV Shows That You Can Watch Online
As mentioned previously, many of the best and most popular Australian TV shows ever are available to watch online. So, next time ANZAC Day or Federation Day rolls around, why not celebrate by checking some of the following shows out? You won’t regret it!
Summer Heights High
Probably no critically acclaimed Australian TV show has reached as many viewers around the world as Summer Heights High has. While it may not have been as popular as Neighbours or Home And Away, Summer Heights High is, well, a good TV show. That must count for something!
Created by the notorious Chris Lilley, Summer Heights High follows a mockumentary-style format and details a year at the fictional titular high school, where all three main characters are played by Lilley. We have Mr. G, the flamboyant speech and drama teacher, Ja’mie King, a snobby and pretentious teenage girl, and Jonah, something of a rough delinquent with a hidden, softer side.
The show takes us through the highs and lows of each character’s life during an academic year at Summer Heights. It’s hilarious and will have you cringing plenty, too – however, the show hasn’t exactly had the easiest time when it comes to streaming.
In fact, Summer Heights High, in addition to a number of Chris Lilley productions, was removed from Netflix in 2020 due to controversy surrounding a number of the shows’ less politically correct moments. However, it’s still available to watch on several other streaming platforms.
We Can Be Heroes
While not as great of a commercial success as Summer Heights High, We Can Be Heroes was just as well received domestically. It centres around several fictional individuals (all played by Chris Lilley, of course), who have been nominated for the Australian of The Year award.
The award may be real, but the oddball characters in We Can Be Heroes thankfully aren’t. Hilarious and tragic in spades, the show is somewhat subtler than Summer Heights High, but is just as entertaining overall.
Australian Story
If you want to get to know Australia’s culture and people better, then there’s no better show to watch than Australian Story. Each episode focuses on the real experiences of real Australians, many of whom have had to face and overcome great hardship; it’s an incredibly moving and emotional programme.
Kath and Kim
Regarded by many critics as the best Australian TV comedy of all time, Kath and Kim really has it all. It’s clever, hilarious, and, when it came out, was deeply innovative – it’s even been made into a movie and has had its own (vastly inferior) American adaptation.
