First series (2003)
Australian Idol was produced by Fremantle Media subsidiary Grundy Television in association with UK company 19TV. The first series was broadcast on Network Ten for 19 weeks in the latter half of 2003. The judges included faded 70s popstar Mark Holden, icon Marcia Hines and former BMG Music representative Ian "Dicko" Dickson.

Australian Idol quickly became one of the most popular shows on Australian television, the final between Guy Sebastian and Shannon Noll being the most popular show broadcast on Australian television in 2003. Channel Ten paid $15 million for the series but this investment was repaid when the station that had perenially been the #3 network became the #2 network towards the end of 2003 and cemented the network as the #1 station in its target demographic, the under 40's. This success meant that the station could charge advertisers more for commercials broadcast on the network.

The success of the series prompted the Seven Network to commission a rival series Popstars Live in the first half of 2004. However, this series was not a success. The success of Australian Idol and the first series of The Block on the Nine Network prompted networks including the Ten Network to invest in new reality series that were not as successful, such as The Resort and The Hothouse, which led to large losses by the relevant network.

Australian Idol Finalists
(with dates of elimination)
Season 1 (2003)

Guy Sebastian Winner
Shannon Noll 19 November
Cosima De Vito 3 November
Paulini Curuenavuli 27 October
Rob Mills 20 October
Levi Kereama 13 October
Rebekah LaVauney 6 October
Kelly Cavuoto 6 October
Lauren Buckley 29 September
Cle Wootton 29 September
Peter Ryan 22 September
Matthew Chadwick 22 September

That's a blast from the past Kitty :skate

love your avatar and siggie

Kate is lovely...

I thnk she will do very well!!