NITV - Programs and Schedules

TV.Cynic · October 18, 2023, 5:24am

Katele (Mudskipper)

Thursday 2 November 9:30 PM

Winner of Best Australian Short at 2023 Melbourne International Film Festival and Best Australian Film at 2023 Flickerfest. Part of NITV and Screen Australia’s No Ordinary Black short film initiative.

Torres Strait Islander woman Martha works tirelessly in a laundromat loading machines and folding washing, ready for the collection of her boss. When a mysterious visitor arrives, Martha is reminded of the life she left behind.

Directed by John Harvey, written by Walter Waia and produced by Gillian Moody.

JohnsonTV · October 24, 2023, 10:04am

Her Name is Nanny Nellie, which has received production funding from NITV, will air on the channel in 2024. It will screen at Palace Nova Eastend this Sunday (October 29) at 11.30am as part of Adelaide Film Festival.

TV.Cynic · October 25, 2023, 3:28am

Powerful feature-length documentary Audrey Napanangka premieres on NITV on Sunday 12 November at 8.30pm

> National Indigenous Television (NITV) is proud to announce the premiere of feature-length, intimate and expansive documentary Audrey Napanangka on Sunday 12 November at 8.30pm.

Filmed over 10 years, the program tells the story of Warlpiri matriarch, artist and actor Audrey and her Sicilian partner Santo as they navigate through colonial systems to keep the children they care for together in the Central Australian Desert.

Audrey was born at a time when the world was changing for people in Central Australia. Colonisation fused two worlds together, modifying Audrey’s life forever. Today, as a grandmother and great grandmother, Audrey raises young people with her partner Santo, to walk in many worlds, by centering culture, language, and Law in their lives alongside mainstream education.

The intimate documentary showcases a heartwarming story about the power of kinship and family and is made on the lands of the Arrernte people of Mparntwe, the Warlpiri people of Mount Theo and Yuendumu, and the lands of the Anmatyerr people.

Documentary subject and collaborator Audrey Napanangka, said: “I am happy to share my story so that people can learn about my life. For me family is everything.”

NITV Head of Commissions, Marissa McDowell, said: “We are thrilled to share this powerful documentary with audiences, delving into Audrey’s philosophy that family and love are everything. We learn about Audrey’s cultural obligations and see that life is not always easy for Audrey and those around her, but family and love prevail.”

Audrey Napanangka is produced by Penelope McDonald (Robbie Hood), Trisha Morton-Thomas (History Bites Back, Occupation: Native) and Rachel Clements (History Bites Back, Occupation: Native, Finke: There and Back).

Screen Australia Head of Documentary, Alex West, said: “Ten years of dedication and heart have brought us the incredible journey of Audrey Napanangka. This remarkable documentary showcases the enduring power of kinship and family in the face of adversity. Audrey’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of embracing culture, language, and love.”

Director and co-producer, Penelope McDonald of Chili Films, said: “It has been a great privilege to have walked beside Audrey over many years as we created this documentary. This is a story of love, courage, and resilience, of an extraordinary family, recorded over a decade, across generations. I thank Audrey and her family immensely for opening their home and sharing their lives. This story from the centre, the beating heart of Australia, is more important and relevant to us now than ever.”

Screen Territory Director Jennie Hughes, said: “We are proud supporters of Indigenous storytelling. It is vital that we continue to support our Territorian filmmakers and the development of documentaries such as Audrey Napanangka, bringing powerful and diverse Territory stories to Australian audiences .”

Au drey Napanangka is a Chili Films/Brindle Films production for NITV. Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with Screen Territory.

Watch Audrey Napanangka on NITV on Sunday 12 November at 8.30pm. The documentary will be available to stream for free on SBS On Demand with captions in English and subtitles in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Korean. It will also be available with audio description for blind and low vision audiences.

TV.Cynic · October 25, 2023, 1:44pm

Housebound

Saturday 4 November 9:40 PM

A would-be thief is remanded to the custody of her estranged mother, who turns out to be correct in her assertion that evil spirits are afoot in their family domicile.

Stars Morgana O’Reilly, Rima Te Wiata and Gerad Johnstone.

cmo · October 31, 2023, 2:39am

NITV going HD. Annoucned at upfronts.

TV.Cynic · October 31, 2023, 2:44am

From 5 December

JohnsonTV · October 31, 2023, 2:49am

NITV will also continue to be available in SD with a new channel 36.

foxyrover · October 31, 2023, 4:08am

Why…?

killy06 · October 31, 2023, 7:35am

Am guessing you’re asking why it’ll still be available in SD and that would be so that it’s available to everyone, regardless of their tv setup as you’d assume it’ll go MPEG-4 which would mean some viewers (and when you don’t have many, every one counts) won’t be able to receive it otherwise.

Nicholas · October 31, 2023, 7:45am

It’s still a stupid move to offer it in MPEG2 in 2023.
It’s been shown that being MPEG4 makes no difference anymore. The amount of incompatible TVs is negligible.

If anything, this just highlights that the government needs to do a similar “Digital Ready” switchover of all services from MPEG2 to MPEG4.

foxyrover · October 31, 2023, 11:29pm

Exactly. A waste of bandwidth and with a HD option I hope this SD channel only lasts a year or something.

TV.Cynic · November 11, 2023, 12:56pm

HD promo - also shows crawler on NITV and SBS Food (changing to MPEG4).

JohnsonTV · November 15, 2023, 8:48am

yellow_sock · November 19, 2023, 9:25am

Media Spy Exclusive:

The Opening Ceremony of the Pacific Games had technical issues. This was shown for about 30 seconds:

Then for the next 2 minutes, was followed by commercials, and a brief screenshot saying something like “video not available”.

Luckily, is now back to showing the Opening Ceremony.

NormanBates2021 · November 19, 2023, 10:16am

totally not a creepypasta right

TV.Cynic · December 12, 2023, 4:53am

NITV and Netflix reveal voice cast of animated children’s series Eddie’s Lil’ Homies, inspired by AFL star Eddie Betts

National Indigenous Television (NITV) are proud to announce the voice cast of animated children’s comedy series Eddie’s Lil Homies, which premieres on NITV and Netflix in early 2024.

The 10-part series stars Hunter Page-Lochard (Cleverman, The Newsreader, Barons) as Eddie, Miah Madden (Bali 2002, The Clearing, The Bureau of Magical Things) as Lottie, Andrew Dang as Tal and Billy Betts (Eddie Betts’ eight-year-old son) as Junior.

Supporting cast members include Leela Varghese (A Beginner’s Guide to Grief, Totally Wild) as Shanti, James Smith as Lachie and Crystal Nguyen (Erotic Stories) as Decks.

L to R: Miah Madden, Hunter Page-Lochard, Billy Betts

Inspired by former AFL star Eddie Betts’ popular book series, Eddie’s Lil’ Homies joins Eddie and his ragtag group of friends on their playground adventures as they navigate the fun and challenges of friendship. Outside of home and away from school, their friends are family and the playground is their universe. It’s a world of competition, imagination and fantasy, where anything and everything is possible, where imaginary friends can be real, games of rock paper scissors can take on stupendous importance, and kindness, empathy and a good rap can help put anything right.

Eddie Betts, said: “It has been wonderful to see our Eddie’s Lil’ Homies characters come to life in the hands of such a talented cast headed by Hunter and Miah, and a great experience for my son Billy to be a part of the series and learn from such a diverse group of actors. Each of the cast members have brought so much fun to their character, we can’t wait for kids to laugh and rap along with them when they watch the series next year.”

NITV’s Head of Commissions, Marissa McDowell, said: “We are thrilled to be working with this group of brilliant and diverse actors on Eddie’s Lil’ Homies. At NITV, our purpose is to create content made by, for and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This beautiful children’s series is the next step in that journey, and we couldn’t do it without the help of Eddie Betts, Anna Scullie and their family, as well as Sophie Byrne, Netflix and ACTF.

“It’s so important for children to see themselves represented onscreen, and this exciting and humorous series does exactly that.”

ACTF Head of Content, Bernadette O’Mahony, said: “It has been great to see and hear Eddie, Tal, Lottie and their friends evolve from page to screen over the last year. Each of these talented actors have brought an authenticity to their role that we are truly grateful for – and they are very funny!”

Eddie’s Lil’ Homies is produced by Sophie Byrne (Scarygirl, The Lost Thing) of Highly Spirited, and Eddie Betts and Anna Scullie of Betts Promotions, along with Executive/Story Producer Mark O’Toole (Black Comedy).

A sneak peek of Eddie’s Lil’ Homies will screen at Taronga Zoo in Sydney from 20 December to 2 February as part of Netflix’s collaboration with Taronga Conservation Society. Shown in the Centenary Theatre at Taronga Zoo, Eddie’s Lil Homies is part of a captivating line up of specially curated children’s titles shown during the summer holidays.

Eddie’s Lil’ Homies is the first co-commission between Netflix and NITV, with major production investment from the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF). The series is produced by Betts Promotions and Highly Spirited. Executive Produced by Bernadette O’Mahony, and Mark O’Toole who also Story Produced. Animation director Arthur Moody, co-director Luke Jurevicius with animation services provided by Vishus Productions and post production services provided by Artisan Post Group. Eddie’s Lil’ Homies was filmed in South Australia and financed with the assistance of South Australian Film Corporation. The series is distributed by the ACTF.

Eddie’s Lil’ Homies premieres on NITV, Netflix and SBS On Demand in early 2024.

TV.Cynic · January 21, 2024, 5:23am

The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson

Thursday 25 January 8:30 pm

Molly Johnson’s husband is away droving sheep, leaving her alone to care for their four children in the remote Snowy Mountains. Despite being heavily pregnant, Molly (Purcell) keeps various threats, from nature and other people, at bay. But when Yadaka (Collins), an Aboriginal man on the run from white law enforcement, intrudes on the sanctuary she has carved out, the brutal hardships and secrets that have followed them both throughout their lives must be confronted.

JohnsonTV · January 22, 2024, 12:10am

Eddie’s Lil’ Homies premieres on NITV and Netflix on Friday 16 February

National Indigenous Television (NITV), Netflix and the ACTF are proud to announce that new children’s comedy series Eddie’s Lil’ Homies, inspired by books from former AFL star Eddie Betts, will premiere on NITV and Netflix in Australia from 16 February 2024.

The 10-part series stars the voice talents of Hunter Page-Lochard (Cleverman, The Newsreader, Barons) as Eddie, Miah Madden (Bali 2002, The Clearing, The Bureau of Magical Things) as Lottie, Andrew Dang as Tal and Billy Betts (Eddie Betts’ eight-year-old son) as Junior.

Additional cast members include Leela Varghese (A Beginner’s Guide to Grief, Totally Wild) as Shanti, James Smith as Lachie and Crystal Nguyen (Erotic Stories) as Decks.

Inspired by Eddie’s popular book series, Eddie’s Lil’ Homies joins Eddie and his ragtag group of friends on their playground adventures as they navigate the fun and challenges of friendship. Outside of home and away from school, their friends are family and the playground is their universe. It’s a world of competition, imagination and fantasy, where anything and everything is possible, where imaginary friends can be real, games of rock paper scissors can take on stupendous importance, and kindness, empathy and a good rap can help put anything right.

Eddie’s Lil’ Homies is produced by Sophie Byrne (Scarygirl, The Lost Thing) of Highly Spirited, and Eddie Betts and Anna Scullie of Betts Promotions, along with Executive/Story Producer Mark O’Toole (Black Comedy).

Eddie’s Lil’ Homies is the first co-commission between Netflix and NITV, with major production investment from the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF). The series is produced by Betts Promotions and Highly Spirited. Executive Produced by Bernadette O’Mahony, and Mark O’Toole who also Story Produced. Animation director Arthur Moody, co-director Luke Jurevicius with animation services provided by Vishus Productions and post production services provided by Artisan Post Group. Eddie’s Lil’ Homies was produced in South Australia and financed with the assistance of South Australian Film Corporation. The series is distributed by the ACTF.

Eddie’s Lil’ Homies premieres on Friday 16 February 2024 at 7.30pm on NITV and from midnight on Netflix in Australia and New Zealand.

It will also be available to stream on SBS On Demand, captioned in English with subtitles in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Korean, with audio description available.

TV.Cynic · January 28, 2024, 5:22am

No Maori Allowed

Sunday 4 February 7:30 pm

No Māori Allowed is a searing documentary, told through the lives of different Māori community figures whose life was each shaped by a deep and dark racist past in the small township of Pukekohe.

As New Zealand schools rolled out revised history studies and campaigns to confront racism, one South Auckland town found itself confronted by its “secret” racist past. In Pukekohe, meetings were called to discuss an academic’s ‘revelations’ about the town’s history of racism and racial segregation.

Segregation is rarely – if ever - part of any conversation about New Zealand’s past. Suddenly, Pukekohe was reeling from accusations that it was the most racist town in the country. Now, Kaumātua are standing up to share their never-before-heard accounts of racial abuse, violence and neglect. They are determined to rewrite the town’s history before it’s too late.

captaincupcake · February 18, 2024, 6:23am

Very interesting choice of movie on tonight on NITV- Not Without My Daughter- a 1991 film that not only has zero relevance to Indigenous Australians, but was heavily criticised on release for being xenophobic, Islamophobic and inciting distrust against Iranian men in particular.

Given the intended nature of the channel it seems very out of place to say the least.