World of Sport

World of Sport was an Australian sports program that was broadcast live by HSV 7 in Melbourne from 1959 to 1987 on Sundays between 11am and 2pm. By the end of its run, the show was claimed as the world's longest running sports program. A unique combination of talk, banter, highly informed commentary, invented and real sports, the program held a unique place in the sports-obsessed culture of Melbourne and made stars out of a number of ex-sportsman, particularly Australian rules footballers. The show premiered on Saturday 16 May 1959, less than three years after the debut of television in Australia. Sponsored by Westinghouse it ran for two hours and was hosted by radio commentator Ron Casey. The sponsor turned down an opportunity to renew after a thirteen week run, but Casey saw the opportunity inherent in the concept and enlisted the help of another well known radio presenter, "Uncle Doug" Elliott. The duo bought the concept, purchased air time on a Sunday and enlisted a new sponsor, Vealls, for 1960. The show was produced by Gordon Bennett,Directed by Dick Jones and Michael Barnett, and it screened on Sunday mornings at 11am, and was one of the best sports shows of its era, featuring the witty banter of Australian rules football legends Jack Dyer and Lou Richards, who exchanged barbs, but were the best of mates off-set.