The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is anticipated to announce a new round of redundancies and the cancellation of its prominent weekly discussion program, Q+A, after 18 years on air. This decision is part of managing director Hugh Marks's review of the public broadcaster's operations, aiming to optimize resource allocation. The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) has already alerted ABC staff to impending cuts, while also criticizing the management's spending priorities.
ABC expected to axe Q+A in fresh round of cuts
Australian Broadcasting CorporationAustralian mediaMediaAustraliaTelevision
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is anticipated to announce a new round of redundancies and the cancellation of its prominent weekly discussion program, Q+A, after 18 years on air. This decision is part of managing director Hugh Marks's review of the public broadcaster's operations, aiming to optimize resource allocation. The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) has already alerted ABC staff to impending cuts, while also criticizing the management's spending priorities.
Trending- 1 2007: Q+A program was launched.
- 2 2017: Michelle Guthrie oversaw approximately 200 job losses at ABC.
- 3 2020: Hamish Macdonald replaced Tony Jones as Q+A host.
- 4 August 2022: Stan Grant was appointed full-time host of Q+A.
- 5 July 2023: Patricia Karvelas became Q+A host after Stan Grant stepped down.
- 6 June 2023: David Anderson announced 100 job losses.
- 7 October (prior to March 2025): Kim Williams moved radio into a standalone division.
- 8 March 2025: Hugh Marks took over as ABC managing director.
- 9 Tuesday (June 9, 2025): ABC staff were warned of looming cuts by the MEAA.
- 10 Wednesday (June 11, 2025): Hugh Marks is expected to unveil the changes.
- The Q+A program will be axed after 18 years.
- A new round of job losses and redundancies for ABC staff.
- Potential creation of new projects, such as a unit dedicated to documentaries.
- Criticism from the MEAA regarding ABC management's spending priorities.
What: The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is expected to announce the axing of its long-running Q+A program and a fresh round of redundancies for its staff.
When: The changes are expected to be unveiled on Wednesday morning (June 11, 2025, based on the article's publication date of June 10). Hugh Marks assumed his role in March 2025. Q+A was launched in 2007. The last round of redundancies at ABC was in June 2023, and the largest in recent history was in 2017.
Where: Australia, specifically impacting the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Why: Managing director Hugh Marks is conducting a review to ensure resources are spent more wisely, focusing on delivering fewer things with higher quality. The cuts are part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at addressing budgetary concerns and enhancing the broadcaster's impact.
How: Hugh Marks is expected to unveil the changes. ABC staff have been informed by their union, MEAA, about impending meetings regarding a restructure.