ABC Head of Distribution for Entertainment & Specialist Rebecca Heap is leaving the broadcaster.
Conservative think tank Institute of Public Affairs has called on the Turnbull government to privatise the ABC, in a new book launched tonight. The book, Against Public Broadcasting, also says the $83.7 million cut to the ABC in this month’s federal budget is “only a flesh wound” and is the broadcaster’s own fault for going “well out of its way to annoy the government”.
This is probably the best thread to post the following rumours in regards to ABC’s radio stations following the budget cuts being proposed.
According to Radioinfo:
Reports suggest that the merging of Radio National and ABC News Radio is being actively discussed, along with a proposal to close, or severely cut, Classic FM.
And also this:
Another area of possible cuts is in the regional radio and TV networks with offices and bureaus being closed (as regional TV and radio broadcasters have done such as WIN, Prime and Southern Cross).’
Read more at: https://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/closures-and-mergers-rumoured-be-under-consideration-abc
Terrible if true. I listen to none of those services but they cater to an audience.
“The ABC does nothing for regional Australia!”
“Also, we’re taking away its funding”
Truly phenomenal that this government manages to stand for absolutely nothing, while simultaneously decimating the only institution willing to stand up to it. Malcolm & co channeling their inner Margaret Thatcher here
Well, if the ABC has to close regional offices or bureaus, that will fit the criticism that the broadcaster does nothing for regional Australia, won’t it?
Of course, but it can’t operate said offices or bureaus without funding.
Meanwhile, the Chairman Justin Milne has penned this piece in response…
…with this stirring conclusion.
This sort of thing went around years ago although then it was about merging Radio National and ABCFM. Never happened.
Although merging RN and Newsradio would just recreate the mess that caused Newsradio to be created in the first place, as an outlet for parliament broadcasts without interfering with regular programming. It would have been the constant bane of existence for Local Radio (as it is now) and later RN to have to devote slabs of airtime to parliament.
At the same time Sky makes a move to cover more of regional Australia…
Thing is, so much of RN is essentially podcasts now, their day time ratings prove there is a very small audience listening live. Could there be some Frankenstein of RN, Classic FM and News Radio cobbled together and if so, how much money will it save?
I’d sooner shut down ABC Comedy and ABCMe or move then to an iview stream only.
The start of possible closures has effectively already been announced by the ABC with Parramatta, Geelong and other small offices set to shutdown after the funding ceases.
Did the ABC really need an office at Parramatta?
Western Sydney is more populous than Adelaide so yes I’d wager that’s an efficient use of resources.
Labor had better double the budget when they’re elected.
It probably won’t happen but knowing that Western Sydney is a growth area and a significant source of content for the two major commercial TV news bulletins, I reckon the eventual closure of the ABC’s Parramatta/Western Sydney office would be a good opportunity for Seven and/or Nine to take advantage of.
The digital age and streaming options is affecting ratings on the ABC
How? What are they doing or will do?
check the recent announcement of Sky News being carried via WIN in regional markets 
Geelong? Wasn’t that to piss off Pulse FM?
Well at one point they do want that frequency for local radio. It has a decent output, don’t see much Geelong news on other channels.
Have a read: http://abcnewsgathering.tumblr.com/post/90021603236/geelong-bureau-a-year-of-telling-local-stories