TV

Why is the Logies called the Logies? The origin of TV’s night of nights’ name may surprise you

It's a surprisingly simple explanation.
Loading the player...

The TV WEEK Logie Awards have been around for as long as we can remember (or 62 years to be exact), but the reason behind the name of television’s night of nights remains relatively unknown among Aussies.

With its hallmark razzmatazz and anything-can-happen excitement, the annual TV WEEK Logie Awards celebrate Australia’s spectacular TV industry, recognising talent across entertainment, drama, comedy, reality, lifestyle, current affairs and sport.

While the awards are a household name, the ceremony was originally named the TV WEEK Awards but in 1960 – a year after its inception – the name was changed to be the TV WEEK Logie Awards.

The awards ceremony was originally named the TV WEEK Awards!

(Image: Getty)

It was iconic Aussie entertainer Graham Kennedy who suggested they be named ‘The Logies’ in honour of John Logie Baird, a Scottish engineer who helped invent the television in 1926.

Graham’s influence and impact on the Logies extends far beyond his coining of the name.

To see the full list of nominees for the 2022 TV WEEK Logie Awards, click here.

Iconic entertainer Graham Kennedy coined the name ‘The Logies’ in 1960.

(Image: Getty)

In 2006, the Graham Kennedy Award for New Talent was introduced to recognise Australia’s newest stars who have made their mark in the entertainment industry.

The 2022 nominees are Home and Away‘s Matt Evans, Married At First Sight expert and sexologist Alessandra Rampolla, The Project presenter Tony Armstrong, comedian Melanie Bracewell, Bump‘s Carlos Sanson Jr and Love Me actor Will Lodder.

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the TV WEEK Logie Awards will return to the Gold Coast on Sunday, June 19.

Loading the player...

This year the inaugural Bert Newton Award for Most Popular Presenter will be introduced.

Bert Newton was the ultimate Australian TV presenter and entertainer; a Logies Hall of Fame inductee, winner of four Gold Logie Awards and the host of TV’s most prestigious night 20 times.

“We are so thrilled Bert is being recognised this way and will be part of the Logies every year moving forward. It was such a big part of his career and he just loved it, so I know he would be pretty pleased with this honour,” Bert’s wife Patti said.

To find out how to vote in the 2022 TV WEEK Logie Awards, click here.

Related stories