The Drum launches in prime-time; new roles for Patricia Karvelas and Josh Szeps; ABC NEWS channel unveils 2019 line-up
The ABC is adding to its news and current affairs coverage in 2019 with The Drum moving to 6.00 PM on ABC TV, new shows with Patricia Karvelas , Jeremy Fernandez and Karina Carvalho on ABC NEWS channel and Josh Szeps joining Weekend Breakfast .
Coming to the ABC NEWS line-up from Monday 4 February:
Respected ABC commentator and RN Drive presenter Patricia Karvelas joins Gemma Veness and Kirsten Aiken at 4.00pm AEDT for Afternoon Briefing, adding her inimitable insights to political and current events with special guests
Top news anchors Jeremy Fernandez and Karina Carvalho co-host a new LIVE discussion program focusing on the day’s main stories at 8.00pm AEDT from Monday-to-Thursday
Starting Saturday 9 February, TV and radio broadcaster Josh Szeps joins Johanna Nicholson as co-host of Weekend Breakfast , with the latest news from Australia and around the world as well as in-depth analysis and interviews from 7.00am AEDT each Saturday and Sunday. A new face on ABC NEWS channel, Josh previously worked in the US with Discovery Science Channel , CBS News Productions and the NBC Today Show and founded and presented the multi-award winning HuffPost Live . He can also be heard on ABC Radio and ABC RN
Andrew Geoghegan will present the weeknight Late News at approximately 10.30pm on ABC main channel, with Michael Tetlow continuing to present a Late News for WA viewers at approximately 10.30pm WST, along with overnight news bulletins on ABC NEWS Channel.
Afternoon Briefing with Patricia Karvelas will deliver sharp political analysis, coverage of current events and the biggest stories of the day.
“ I think audiences are increasingly looking for context and explanation to cut through all the noise – Afternoon Briefing will provide it,” says Karvelas.
“You will see our most influential politicians and local and national leaders cross-examined about their plans and I will take it beyond the immediate news cycle and shine light on their end-game."
Josh Szeps says he is thrilled to be joining the ABC NEWS team on the Weekend Breakfast couch.
"I’m looking forward to so much about this job,” he says. “Working with the sharpest news team in Australia. Teaming up with one of the most talented presenters on TV, Johanna Nicholson. And most importantly, stealing Barrie Cassidy’s muffins. Watch yourself, Cassidy. I start at 7:00am.”
In a huge move for The Drum , on Monday 4 February Australia’s liveliest discussion launches in a new timeslot of 6.00pm AEDT weeknights on ABC TV with an expanded hour-long format.
Each weekday co-hosts Julia Baird and Ellen Fanning will lead a panel of experts and opinion-leaders discussing the key issues gripping or confounding Australia.
“The Drum means lively debate from diverse points of view that is robust while always respectful,” says Baird. "In this election year, Australians want to engage with what really matters - policy and ideas - without the weariness of partisan politics.”
Says Fanning: “One of The Drum’s key strengths is our guest list. Every day we can draw from more than 500 potential panelists – ensuring different voices are heard and conventional wisdoms can be questioned.
“If we continue to hear only the same voices, the same commentators, the same cliches, our politics will become bogged.”
ABC NEWS channel
ABC NEWS channel was Australia’s most-watched 24-hour news channel in 2018.
In 2019 ABC NEWS channel will again offer the most authoritative rolling coverage of the year’s critical political events, led by the NSW State Election, the federal budget announcement and a fascinating federal election, with analysis and insights from Australia’s leading journalists and experts.