The Box

The Box is an Australian soap opera that ran on ATV-0 from 11 February 1974 until 11 October 1977 and on 0–10 Network affiliates around Australia.

The Box was produced by Crawford Productions who at the time was having great success producing police drama series in Australia. The Box was Crawford's first soap opera, and was launched as a reaction to the enormous success of the rival adult soap opera Number 96.[1]

The Box was a drama set in fictional television station UCV Channel 12. It featured elements that satirised the Australian television industry. Characters in the series were said to be modelled on Australian television figures and personalities of the day with central character Sir. Henry Usher modelled on both media mogul Sir Frank Packer and aviator Sir Reginald Ansett, and indeed the tea lady Mrs Hopkins, played by Lois Ramsay was based on the company s own tea lady,[2] many self-referential elements featured. Like Number 96 the series was famous for its adult storylines, frequent nude glimpses, and sexual content. Also like Number 96, it was spun off into a feature film adaptation, The Box.