Australians of a certain vintage, and even those who aren't of a certain vintage, may be aware of a certain Australian television soapie benamed No.96. I don't remember much of it, I wasn't really interested and I was a bit young to understand it. But, it is part of the national consciousness.
Much like A Country Practise became, I think. Or Neighbours? Soapies aren't really my thing, but I did watch A Country Practise until I heard about the upcoming death of a beloved character, then I quit it cold. I'm sure I wasn't alone.

Aaaanyway this article is talking about stuff that's available free to air in Australia, and one of the services called Brollie which I have never heard of is carrying No.96. Hmm, carrying some other interesting stuff too. Might have a look.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-28/where-to-watch-movies-tv-for-free/105809908?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=mail&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

Back to my rambling - The article says

"Back in 1970s Australia, there was no TV show more controversial than Number 96. The saucy soap opera concerning the salacious lives of couples living in a Sydney apartment block was even heralded with the tagline "Tonight, Australian television loses its virginity".

In addition to the titillation, the show also broke incredible ground for LGBTQIA+ representation on TV, including the first gay kiss on Australian TV (years before homosexuality was decriminalised in NSW) and the first transgender TV character Robyn Ross, played by legendary trans cabaret performer Carlotta. Number 96 covered everything from drug addiction, interracial relationships and abortion to S&M relationships. With a whopping 1,218 episodes produced (and more than a few becoming lost media), dip into this trailblazing piece of Australiana while you can."

So what I'm wondering, for people in other countries, were there soapies in your country that did the same sort of social trailblazing?

For Australians, do you remember Number 96 and did you notice these things? Did it change anything for you? What later soapies did some eye opening things for you? Teenage pregnancy and termination in a Country Practice I think had people talking in my circle at the time.

#tv #Australia #soap_operas #SocialCommentary #No.96 #ACountryPractice