ABC budget cuts put news, current affairs programs in the firing line
By Matthew Knott and Madeleine Heffernan
September 22, 2014 — 11.56am
The future of the ABC's state-based current affairs programs and some of its radio shows is up in the air with the broadcaster considering dramatic cost-cutting proposals.
The ABC is also reviewing the future of current affairs television program Lateline which is due to mark its 25th year on air next year.
ABC TV and radio current affairs programs may be axed because of budget cuts. Credit:Jessica Shapiro
There is debate within the broadcaster about the need for a standalone late night news program following the advent of ABC News 24.
Lateline is considered well resourced within the ABC – it has 17 editorial staff – but has metropolitan ratings of around 200,000. This compares to 7.30 which can attract over 700,000 metro viewers in its prime time slot.
Lateline, co-hosted by Emma Alberici, could be slimmed down as a result of ABC budget cuts.
An ABC source said Lateline investigations could be ditched, with the program slimmed down to a less ambitious "rip and read" news program on ABC News 24.
The proposal has alarmed many within the ABC. 7.30 host Leigh Sales tweeted on Monday afternoon: "As a former anchor of Lateline, I would be deeply saddened to see such a quality program end."
A briefing has been scheduled for Lateline staff on Monday afternoon, but they are expected to be told that no final decision on the program's future has been made.
The ABC is also considering abolishing its standalone state-based current affairs programs - such as 7.30 NSW and 7.30 Victoria - which air during prime time on Friday nights.
The Business, the current affairs business program that follows Lateline, is also said to be under review.
Radio news and current affairs is being scoured for savings. The ABC is exploring axing or halving current affairs program The World Today which airs for 50 minutes on local radio and Radio National at lunch time on weekdays.
The ABC has also explored halving the air time for flagship afternoon current affairs program PM, which also airs for 50 minutes. But it is understood this idea has gone out of favour.
The future of programs on ABC local radio and Radio National is also being reviewed.
Many of these proposals will be discussed when the ABC board meets on Tuesday.
The proposals are being driven by the spectre of federal government budget cuts expected to be detailed in the mid-year budget update later this year, but also the view within senior management that the ABC's programming and structures need to be overhauled to cater for modern media habits.
In a speech last month ABC managing director Mark Scott said: "We must accept that, in the fierce contest for audiences, where old alliances no longer work and where friends can become rivals, the ABC has to robustly review its programming and services, find new ways to keep the audiences we have and to attract new ones.
"We will make the investment necessary to deliver quality programming. But it will be prudent and we will need to make careful judgments about the audience return."
Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has flagged further cuts to the broadcaster following $35.5 million cuts over four years announced in the May budget. The $120 million Australia Network international broadcasting service was also axed.
Hundreds of back office jobs are expected to be cut and the ABC is exploring options to share office and studio space with SBS in Melbourne. An efficiency review commissioned by the federal government identified approximately $60 million worth of ongoing back office savings.
There is a growing concern within the broadcaster that major decisions on programming and staff cuts will be made before the final size of the government's budget cuts are announced.