New study finds cultural impacts of Australian kids’ TV last decades

New research has found the most memorable and loved Australian children’s shows combine the “ordinary” with the “strange”, with Round the Twist topping the list of most-loved childhood favourites.

A research team at Swinburne University of Technology, in collaboration with researchers from RMIT, conducted a nationwide study investigating the long-term cultural effects of Australian children’s television.

The findings have been published in a comprehensive new report: Kids’ TV Memories: Audience Perspectives on the Roles and Long-Term Value of Australian Children’s Television.

The research sought to better understand the ways adult audiences in the streaming era experience, express, and channel nostalgia for children’s television from their childhoods, particularly Australian children’s television. The report offers unprecedented insight into the deep and lasting impacts of Australian children’s television on multiple generations of adults.

The report’s findings include that for nine out of 10 survey respondents, at least some of their favourite shows growing up were Australian. This research also identified that the most memorable Australian kids’ shows were ‘cheeky’ or ‘edgy’ and often included a particular formula – a mix of weird, quirky elements with depictions of relatable Australian life.

As one survey respondent (25–30) said of the Australian shows she watched growing up: “They were all particularly quirky, scary, funny, and took you through the emotional rollercoaster of being a kid. With all the quirkiness removed, it was relatable and just reflected an Australian childhood.”

Demonstrating the popularity of using digital platforms to access shows from the past, seven out of 10 survey respondents have revisited Australian children’s content from childhood in recent years, most commonly through online clips (e.g. YouTube), streaming services and social media. Respondents identified nostalgia as the top reason for revisiting children’s shows from the past. Other key reasons included sharing shows with their own children and general curiosity.

The survey found that the iconic series Round the Twist was not only the favourite show among respondents, but also the show most revisited in their adult years, followed by Play School and Mr Squiggle. More than half of those aged 51 and older and more than two thirds of those aged 41-50 have revisited children’s shows in recent years, while those aged 18-40 were the most likely to revisit childhood favourites (74%).

Chief Investigator Dr Joanna McIntyre said: “This study reveals just how significant Australian children’s TV is to the cultural life of our nation. It has provided lasting experiences of wonder and a continuing sense of belonging to multiple generations for more than 60 years. This research also shows that although kids watch TV differently in the streaming era, digital platforms actually offer new ways to share and connect via beloved Aussie children’s content.”

ACTF CEO Jenny Buckland said: “This research demonstrates how what we watch when we’re young has a profound impact, shaping our experience of Australian culture and connecting us with our community and peers. This is why it’s so important to support Australian children’s content via measures like regulation and public investment. Those wonderful shows people are remembering from the 1990s and 2000s were all supported by public policies. We need to make sure children today have the same opportunities to grow up with Australian shows."

The Australian Children’s Television Cultures research project is based at Swinburne University of Technology, in collaboration with RMIT University. The report’s authors are Dr Joanna McIntyre, Associate Professor Liam Burke, Dr Djoymi Baker, and Dr Jessica Balanzategui. The research is supported by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.