Latest news with #Karvelas
9 News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- 9 News
ABC confirms plan to axe current affairs talk show Q+A
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here The ABC will discontinue its current affairs talk show Q+A after 18 years to fund other shows and documentaries. The weekly panel, which was first launched in 2008 and most recently hosted by Patricia Karvelas, will not return after going on hiatus last month. ABC news director Justin Stevens said the axing would allow the public broadcaster to invest in other projects that reflect modern audiences. The ABC will discontinue its current affairs talk show Q+A after 18 years. (Paul Jeffers) "Discontinuing the program at this point is no reflection on anyone on the show," he said. "We always need to keep innovating and renewing, and in the two decades since Q+A began the world has changed. "It's time to rethink how audiences want to interact and to evolve how we can engage with the public to include as many Australians as possible in national conversations." Karvelas will continue hosting Afternoon Briefing and the Politics Now podcast. She will also do more work for Four Corners , which she recently became involved in. An ABC spokesperson said consultation with the remaining Q+A staff is underway, but would not comment on whether there will be any redundancies. "Many extremely talented and dedicated people have worked on Q+A , as presenters and behind the scenes," Stevens said. "I sincerely thank them all, and everyone who has contributed as audience members and panellists." Former host Tony Jones and executive producer Peter McEvoy. (Renee Nowytarger / SMH) The ABC will instead invest in making Your Say permanent, after the federal election forum series resulted in almost 30,000 online submissions and thousands of talkback calls on local and regional radio, and producing more news documentaries. Q+A first hit television in May 2008 as Q&A under host Tony Jones. He hosted the show for more than a decade before resigning in 2019. He was replaced by three rotating hosts, including Stan Grant, before Grant took over solely in 2022. Grant stepped down from the role a year later after being subjected to racist abuse during his coverage of King Charles' coronation. The show was renamed Q+A from Q&A in 2020. Karvelas had been hosting the flagship talk show until it took a break after the federal election last month. Q+A had previously been scheduled to return in August. Earlier this week, Channel 10 also announced it will shut its nightly show The Project after almost 16 years later this month. ABC media national Australia business CONTACT US
Epoch Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Australia's Public Broadcaster Axes ‘Q+A' Show After 18 Years on Air
The ABC has confirmed it will not bring back its flagship panel program Q+ A, ending an 18-year run. The weekly show, which went on break last month, will not return to air, the national broadcaster announced on June 11. Hosted by Patricia Karvelas since 2023, Q+A earned a reputation as a high-profile forum for political and public debate. ABC News Director Justin Stevens acknowledged the program's legacy in shaping national dialogue. 'Discontinuing the program at this point is no reflection on anyone on the show. We always need to keep innovating and renewing, and in the two decades since Q+A began, the world has changed,' Stevens said. Stevens said the ABC would now focus on finding new ways to engage the public in political and national discussions. 'It's time to rethink how audiences want to interact and to evolve how we can engage with the public to include as many Australians as possible in national conversations,' he said. The announcement follows Network 10's decision to axe The Project after 16 years, with the final episode set to air on June 27. Karvelas to Expand ABC Reporting Role While Q+A ends, Karvelas will continue in her other ABC roles, including Afternoon Briefing, the Politics Now podcast, and her regular column on the ABC News site. 'Patricia (Karvelas) also recently reported for Four Corners, and we've now asked her to do more for Four Corners as time permits,' Stevens said. ABC staff were informed that the show's cancellation would involve some job losses. In place of Q+A, the ABC will expand its long-form current affairs content, including the creation of a new executive producer role for documentaries and specials. The public broadcaster will also permanently roll out Your Say, a public engagement initiative first launched during the last federal election. The project is aimed at including more community voices in ABC reporting. 'Your Say ensures we have a strong framework for putting the public's views, concerns, and questions at the heart of our journalism, complementing our daily commissioning and reporting,' Stevens said.
Sky News AU
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
'A lot of blokes asking questions': ABC star Patricia Karvelas demands question at heated National Party press conference
Star ABC journalist Patricia Karvelas has derailed a heated National Party press conference to demand to speak, complaining that 'a lot of blokes' were asking questions rather than women. Ms Karvelas, who hosts ABC's Afternoon Briefing and Q+A programs, interrupted a fellow reporter to raise concerns about the number of male journalists being called upon. There had been questions put to Nationals leader David Littleproud and senator Bridget McKenzie by both men and women throughout the press conference. 'Can I ask a question? A lot of blokes have been asking questions. It would be nice if I could ask a question,' Ms Karvelas said, interrupting another male journalist. Immediately after being given the opportunity speak, Ms Karvelas dismissed the only female politician present so she could ask Mr Littleproud her question. 'I'd actually like to ask you, David Littleproud, actually, if you don't mind, Bridget,' she said, prompting Ms McKenzie to step aside. Ms Karvelas went on to ask Mr Littleproud about the timeline for negotiations on the Coalition agreement and appointment of shadow cabinet. 'I don't want to put specific days or weeks on it. I don't think that's constructive,' Mr Littleproud said in response. The press conference was held following the Nationals' decision to re-enter negotiations with the Liberal Party to restore the Coalition agreement.
Daily Mail
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
ABC election panellist blasts 'woeful' coverage despite being a part of it: 'Burn ABC down to the ground'
An ABC election night panellist has hit out at the broadcaster for its 'woeful' coverage despite being a part of it. Tony Barry, the Liberals' ex-deputy director in Victoria, blasted ABC after spending election night delivering expert analysis for the channel. The broadcaster's coverage, hosted by David Speers and Sarah Ferguson, saw a series of commentators analyse the election results throughout the night. The expert panel in the studio included Mr Barry, former Victorian Labor strategist Kos Samaras and ABC's Patricia Karvelas. Mr Barry took to Facebook following election night to share a series of snaps on set with his co-panellists. Alongside a smiley picture with Karvelas, he wrote: 'The ABC's coverage was beyond woeful, just six hours of shallow analysis.' In another comment he said: 'The ABC was the only telecast of six hours of no data, analysis and insight – just six endless "what I reckon" journalism. Unwatchable drivel. 'They should burn the ABC down to the ground and then salt the earth under it.' Former NSW premier Morris Iemma took also took aim at Karvelas in the comments of Mr Barry's post. 'Even smarter if no PK,' he said. Mr Iemma told The Sydney Morning Herald he didn't have a problem with Karvelas, but had wanted ABC's chief election analyst Antony Green to have more airtime in his final ever election night. Despite his comments, ABC's coverage outperformed its competitors with an average audience of 2.4million throughout the night. However, the broadcast was plagued by technical issues - most notably, election Green's results screen was down for over 50 minutes. Forced to rely on the Australian Electoral Commission's website for information, Green used a scribbled notepad to deliver updates instead of his usual interactive display. With no live data or updates available, the ABC's panel of experts had to fill the airtime with commentary.
