TV
ABC rumoured to be axing Q+A amid fresh round of cuts

Long-running ABC current affairs program Q+A is reportedly facing the axe after 17 years on Australian television, with multiple media outlets citing unnamed sources within the national broadcaster.
The influential panel show, which launched in 2008 with Tony Jones as host, is said to have been dropped ahead of its scheduled return in August. The decision places Q+A among a growing list of legacy programs facing the chopping block, coming just days after Channel Ten confirmed it was ending The Project following a 16-year run.
Q+A went into its scheduled hiatus in mid-May, and it remains unclear whether it will return at all in 2025. ABC’s new managing director, Hugh Marks, is expected to reveal sweeping changes at the public broadcaster this week, including potential staff redundancies and confirmation of the show’s fate.
The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) warned ABC staff on Tuesday that job cuts were imminent, with employees reportedly being called into meetings to discuss a major restructure. Marks, who replaced David Anderson in March, has previously signalled a focus on streamlining the broadcaster’s operations, suggesting the ABC may need to “do fewer things better” in the future.
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In addition to cuts, the ABC is expected to announce new content initiatives, including a dedicated documentary unit championed by ABC chair Kim Williams.
Created by executive producer Peter McEvoy, Q+A debuted in May 2008 and quickly became a flagship program for the ABC. Its format, inspired by the BBC’s Question Time, brought politicians, experts and members of the public together to debate national issues in real time.
Following Jones’ departure in 2019, the show struggled to maintain its ratings. Hamish Macdonald took over as host in 2020, before stepping down amid mixed reviews. Stan Grant’s brief tenure in 2022 ended after he became the target of racist abuse unrelated to the show. The current host, Patricia Karvelas, has led the program since early 2023.
While viewership has modestly improved under Karvelas, the show’s ratings remain among the lowest in the ABC’s current affairs stable. A 2023 “Garma Special” episode drew just 84,000 metro viewers – Q+A’s lowest figures on record.
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The ABC has not officially confirmed the program’s cancellation. However, the coming days are expected to bring clarity as the national broadcaster embarks on a major overhaul under new leadership.
Image: ABC