ATN-7

History

ATN-7 began broadcasting on 2 December 1956 and became the third television station in Sydney to begin regular transmissions. Its principal offices and studios were located at Mobbs Lane, Epping. The initial black and white cameras and other equipment was supplied by the Marconi Company of England. At the time of opening, only Studio B, which housed the opening night, was operational, as well as a shortage of equipment. Its launch night was almost hampered by a thunderstorm, which ultimately did not affect the transmitter. On its second day of operations (3 December 1956), it aired the first current affairs programme on Australian television, At Seven Tonight, presented by Howard Craven. Later that evening saw the airing of Australia's first late show, Sydney Tonight, hosted by Keith Walsh. The nightly closedown featured an animation of a kangaroo putting her joey to bed, forming it out of the inscription "ATN CHANNEL 7". The animation remained in use for a long time. For many years, this was preceded by Tommy Leonetti's "My City of Sydney". Leonetti hosted The Tommy Leonetti Show, produced at the station, in 1969; he was the co-writer of the station's closedown theme.