ABC axes popular daily news show in major shakeup
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Many who have relied on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)'s daily topical discussion show, The Drum, for their daily dose of diverse and engaging commentary might be in for a disappointment.
ABC has announced a significant restructuring of its programming, which includes the cancellation of the said popular daily news show.
This decision has left many viewers and staff members shocked, as the show has been a staple of the ABC lineup for over a decade.
The Drum, a panel discussion program that has been on air since 2010, has been a platform for diverse voices and perspectives on current affairs.
However, despite its contributions, the show has been experiencing a decline in viewership in recent years.
ABC News Director Justin Stevens confirmed the cancellation in an email to staff, describing the decision as 'difficult' and acknowledging that it would lead to job losses.
This move is part of a broader restructuring initiative, which includes the disbanding of a programs team on the ABC News Channel and the elimination of an executive position.
He thanked The Drum for its ability to discover and showcase new talent through its rotating panel of experts and commentators.
Unfortunately, he acknowledged that the show experienced a ‘comparatively small and declining’ viewership recently.
The Drum’s co-hosts, Julia Baird, Ellen Fanning, and Dan Bourchier, are not leaving the ABC family. They are set to continue with the broadcaster in new roles.
The Drum’s final episode is scheduled to air this Friday, 15 December.
The Drum has undergone several changes since its inception.
It first aired in 2010 with the launch of the ABC's 24-hour news channel. In 2014, it was moved to the main channel and given a longer format along with a 5:30 pm slot.
The show underwent another refresh in 2019 when it was moved to the 6 pm slot and lengthened to an hour to run directly ahead of the 7 pm evening news bulletin.
Stevens clarified that the cancellation was not a reflection of the show's quality or achievements. Instead, the network was required to make tough decisions on how to allocate resources.
He said the change would allow other programs to be tested in the lead-in to the evening news, a crucial programming window for attracting audience numbers for the rest of the evening.
The cancellation of The Drum was part of a series of changes at the network announced earlier this year. ABC anticipates a shift to a digital-first broadcaster by 2028.
Other changes include replacing the Sunday 7 pm state-based news bulletins with a national version, the redundancy of up to 120 employees, and a reduced number of ABC executives involved with independent productions.
As part of the restructuring, digital teams are set to be expanded, and a dedicated Climate and Environment team is also to be established.
While transitioning to a digital-first approach can be challenging, it also presents opportunities for broadcasters. Online platforms allow for more interactive and personalised content and can reach a wider audience than traditional broadcast methods.
By embracing digital technologies, broadcasters like ABC can continue to deliver high-quality content to their audiences, wherever they may be.
What are your thoughts on the cancellation of The Drum and the shift towards a digital-first approach? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
ABC has announced a significant restructuring of its programming, which includes the cancellation of the said popular daily news show.
This decision has left many viewers and staff members shocked, as the show has been a staple of the ABC lineup for over a decade.
The Drum, a panel discussion program that has been on air since 2010, has been a platform for diverse voices and perspectives on current affairs.
However, despite its contributions, the show has been experiencing a decline in viewership in recent years.
ABC’s The Drum will not be returning next year. Credit: @ABCthedrum / X (formerly Twitter)
ABC News Director Justin Stevens confirmed the cancellation in an email to staff, describing the decision as 'difficult' and acknowledging that it would lead to job losses.
This move is part of a broader restructuring initiative, which includes the disbanding of a programs team on the ABC News Channel and the elimination of an executive position.
He thanked The Drum for its ability to discover and showcase new talent through its rotating panel of experts and commentators.
Unfortunately, he acknowledged that the show experienced a ‘comparatively small and declining’ viewership recently.
The Drum’s co-hosts, Julia Baird, Ellen Fanning, and Dan Bourchier, are not leaving the ABC family. They are set to continue with the broadcaster in new roles.
The Drum’s final episode is scheduled to air this Friday, 15 December.
The Drum has undergone several changes since its inception.
It first aired in 2010 with the launch of the ABC's 24-hour news channel. In 2014, it was moved to the main channel and given a longer format along with a 5:30 pm slot.
The show underwent another refresh in 2019 when it was moved to the 6 pm slot and lengthened to an hour to run directly ahead of the 7 pm evening news bulletin.
Stevens clarified that the cancellation was not a reflection of the show's quality or achievements. Instead, the network was required to make tough decisions on how to allocate resources.
He said the change would allow other programs to be tested in the lead-in to the evening news, a crucial programming window for attracting audience numbers for the rest of the evening.
The cancellation of The Drum was part of a series of changes at the network announced earlier this year. ABC anticipates a shift to a digital-first broadcaster by 2028.
Other changes include replacing the Sunday 7 pm state-based news bulletins with a national version, the redundancy of up to 120 employees, and a reduced number of ABC executives involved with independent productions.
As part of the restructuring, digital teams are set to be expanded, and a dedicated Climate and Environment team is also to be established.
While transitioning to a digital-first approach can be challenging, it also presents opportunities for broadcasters. Online platforms allow for more interactive and personalised content and can reach a wider audience than traditional broadcast methods.
By embracing digital technologies, broadcasters like ABC can continue to deliver high-quality content to their audiences, wherever they may be.
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