Blue Heelers

Yep, via acquisitions, originally Southern Star.

Though I wouldn’t be surprised if Seven had some old contractual clause in there or maybe approached Endemol several years back when they went up on 7Plus (notably not on broadcast however) and negotiated some cheap agreement as original broadcaster and production partner.

Also how they’ve been licenced elsewhere, such as on Prime Video. The episodes are different though, Prime’s are clean, re-mastered (and widescreen from about S10) and the same as the DVD releases from Paramount Home Entertainment about 15 years ago, most obvious are full and generic end credits and a lack of Seven ender. Whereas 7Plus’ are their original master tapes as-broadcast digitised and up-scaled, with accelerated flow/Minus end credits and Seven enders (per year/era as well which is a nostalgic bonus); they also have the 2004 ‘live ep’ pre-show uploaded presented by Erik Thompson from BCM.

That Heelers promo was for a significant story arc ‘after the Olympics’ that began with a two-part episode, involving Cons. Jack Lawson (Rupert Reid) getting shot and ending up in a wheelchair. These months would also be some of the last very high rating, following Lisa McCune’s famous departure earlier that year and gradual audience decline (though would still remain a good rater and regained No. 1 drama title in 2003) and only late 2004 and early 2005 would see a resurgence.

Also on Reid, he relocated from Sydney to Melbourne in the late 90s for the role, after Heartbreak High. As did a number of actors in the series: Martin Sacks, Tasma Walton, Paul Bishop, Ditch Davey, Simone McAullay, Geoff Morrell, Rachel Gordon, Danny Raco, Matthew Holmes.

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