ABC show gets episodes slashed in half amid ratings, host woes
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The ABC's flagship current affairs program, Q+A, has been a staple of Australian television for over a decade.
However, recent years have seen the show grappling with falling ratings, leading to speculation about its future.
Now, it seems the once-popular panel show has narrowly avoided cancellation, but not without significant changes.
In a surprising turn of events, Q+A will return in 2024, but with a significantly reduced season.
The show, which once boasted a robust 40-episode season, will now only air 24 episodes.
This information was revealed in a staff email leaked to the Financial Review, which outlined the national broadcaster's plans to run the program in four six-week slots throughout the year.
The new season is set to kick off on Monday, February 19, and will be hosted by Radio National presenter Patricia Karvalas.
The show will take a break after March 25, before returning for three more six-week slots—April 29 to June 3, August 12 to September 16, and finally, October 21 to November 25.
This change comes after a tumultuous period for Q+A, marked by a revolving door of hosts, changing time slots, and a significant dip in viewership.
Once a ratings winner for the public broadcaster, it began losing viewers after it moved from its original Monday time slot to Thursdays in 2021.
Q+A first hit the airwaves in 2008, with Tony Jones at the helm.
The show quickly became a major drawcard for political leaders, setting the news agenda with its hard-hitting discussions of current affairs.
However, the departure of Jones in 2019 marked a turning point for the show.
Radio National's Hamish Macdonald took over as host from 2020 to mid-2021, a period during which Q+A lost significant ground with audiences.
A timeslot move from Monday nights to Thursdays only accelerated the decline. Despite a move back to Monday nights at the start of 2023, Q+A struggled to regain its former glory.
With Patricia Karvalas stepping in as the new host, there is hope that Q+A can regain its footing.
Karvalas brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been a prominent figure in Australian media for many years.
However, the reduced number of episodes and the segmented airing schedule represent a significant shift for the show.
While some may see this as a sign of Q+A's decline, it could also be viewed as an opportunity for the show to reinvent itself.
With fewer episodes, there may be more time to focus on quality over quantity, potentially leading to more in-depth discussions and a more engaging format.
Only time will tell if these changes will be enough to win back audiences and secure Q+A's future.
What are your thoughts on these changes, dear readers? Will you be tuning in to the new season of Q+A? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
However, recent years have seen the show grappling with falling ratings, leading to speculation about its future.
Now, it seems the once-popular panel show has narrowly avoided cancellation, but not without significant changes.
In a surprising turn of events, Q+A will return in 2024, but with a significantly reduced season.
The show, which once boasted a robust 40-episode season, will now only air 24 episodes.
Q+A returns in 2024. Image: ABC
This information was revealed in a staff email leaked to the Financial Review, which outlined the national broadcaster's plans to run the program in four six-week slots throughout the year.
The new season is set to kick off on Monday, February 19, and will be hosted by Radio National presenter Patricia Karvalas.
The show will take a break after March 25, before returning for three more six-week slots—April 29 to June 3, August 12 to September 16, and finally, October 21 to November 25.
This change comes after a tumultuous period for Q+A, marked by a revolving door of hosts, changing time slots, and a significant dip in viewership.
Once a ratings winner for the public broadcaster, it began losing viewers after it moved from its original Monday time slot to Thursdays in 2021.
Q+A first hit the airwaves in 2008, with Tony Jones at the helm.
The show quickly became a major drawcard for political leaders, setting the news agenda with its hard-hitting discussions of current affairs.
However, the departure of Jones in 2019 marked a turning point for the show.
Radio National's Hamish Macdonald took over as host from 2020 to mid-2021, a period during which Q+A lost significant ground with audiences.
A timeslot move from Monday nights to Thursdays only accelerated the decline. Despite a move back to Monday nights at the start of 2023, Q+A struggled to regain its former glory.
With Patricia Karvalas stepping in as the new host, there is hope that Q+A can regain its footing.
Karvalas brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been a prominent figure in Australian media for many years.
However, the reduced number of episodes and the segmented airing schedule represent a significant shift for the show.
While some may see this as a sign of Q+A's decline, it could also be viewed as an opportunity for the show to reinvent itself.
With fewer episodes, there may be more time to focus on quality over quantity, potentially leading to more in-depth discussions and a more engaging format.
Only time will tell if these changes will be enough to win back audiences and secure Q+A's future.
What are your thoughts on these changes, dear readers? Will you be tuning in to the new season of Q+A? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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