Sadly, it was never going to last… but a move to 6:30pm is better than the axe.
While many have pilloried the public affairs show, 6PM with George Negus has delivered some great content as a point of difference to the current affairs show from the other commercial networks – and to see it run against them head to head will prove very interesting. It again show’s Ch10’s willingness to stick with the format (albeit an abridged one – no advice as to what’s on at 6PM in place of this) that should see it build a much stronger audience.
While Bill McDonald (Ten Evening News presenter Qld) has the 5pm-6:30pm bulletin to co-anchor… what of the wonderful Sandra Sully? She gave up her Late News post for this gig. Rumour is she’ll get her Late News gig back. Let’s hope at least that. From the press release:
Network Ten today announced that George Negus’s news and public affairs program will move to 6.30pm from Monday April 4.
This change in TEN’s early evening schedule is in response to audience feedback, which has been strongly supportive of the program as a unique, credible commercial television offering, yet has revealed a preference for it to be scheduled in the more traditional public affairs timeslot.
TEN’s News at Five, the bulletin that consistently dominates its timeslot, will continue to be locally produced, presented and based in the five mainland capital cities and extended to 6:30pm weeknights.
David Mott, Chief Programming Officer TEN said: “We are making this alteration in the early evening news schedule based on feedback from viewers who value competitive, intelligent and incisive news and public affairs programs.”
“We are strong supporters of quality news, comment and analysis and believe that Network Ten should remain a leading player in this space.”
So 10 News now going for 90 minutes straight? That’s a LOT of news!
Because we were absolutely CHOKING for a grand total of 2.5 hours news every night .. sigh.
It won’t last.