First Dates (Australian TV series)

The program follows two strangers, who have been matched up by a relationship expert,^[2] meeting for a first date at a restaurant in Sydney.^[4] At the end of the date, the couples are interviewed together and asked whether they would like to see each other again.^[5]

During filming of the date, there are no producers or cameramen in the restaurant, to ensure the "authenticity of the date," with cameras being remotely operated.^[6]

The eight episode first season premiered on the Seven Network on 3 February 2016^[3][7] airing on Wednesday at 9 pm.^[8] The second season premiered on 1 November 2016, with six episodes airing on either Tuesday or Wednesday at 7:30 pm.^[9] The remaining two episodes of the season aired on 10 and 11 April 2017.^[10] In May 2017, the series was renewed for a third season.^[11] The series was renewed for a fourth season which aired in 2018.^[12]

The series was cancelled by Seven in October 2020.^[13] However casting for a fifth season was announced, with the series confirmed to be switching to Network 10. Applications closed on 1 November 2021.^[14][15][16] The fifth season (and the first for 10) began airing from 24 February 2022.^[17] In August 2023, it was originally announced the series would return to Seven in 2024, after only one season on 10.^[18][19] However, the series was pushed backed to 2025^[20] and announced it’s been pushed back again to 2026.^[21]