KEY POINTS:
Prime may no longer be affiliated with Australia's Channel 9 but its 2009 new season line-up has a distinct Ocker flavour with Bondi Rescue Bali, Bondi Vets and The Sunshine Strip joining the channel's perennial staples.
The Brits also get a good showing on the channel with the BBC's self-explanatory doco series Stephen Fry in America, and new fantasy franchise Merlin set to screen next year, joining fellow Beeb series Dr Who, Robin Hood, and the fifth instalment of Messiah: The Rapture.
Prime continues its comedy fare with a new HBO animated series, The Life and Times of Tim, which joins the returning series of Flight of the Conchords and Weeds.
The channel has also snapped up new episodes of Supernanny and It's Me or the Dog from rival TVNZ while Mad Men, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Top Gear will also return.
