News

Seven axes Today Tonight after 25 years

Today Tonight will cease to air as of this week, with Seven announcing the end of the remaining editions of the current affairs show in favour of a one hour run for Seven News.

The east coast edition of Today Tonight was cancelled five years ago. The show currently only runs in Adelaide and Perth, and will finish on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 November respectively.

A statement from the Seven network said some staff would be redeployed into the state newsrooms. The cancellation comes just days after the final episode of current affairs format Sunday Night aired. It isn’t yet known where the Sunday Night staff will move to.

Craig McPherson, director of news and public affairs for Seven, said the decision had been a tough one.

“For 25 years Today Tonight has dominated in Perth and Adelaide. Producing more than 25,000 stories reflecting the good, the bad and everything in between of their constantly growing markets. To end such a successful reign has been one of the toughest decisions but a necessary one as the audiences shift and change along with the economics.

“I want to thank all both past and present Today Tonighters. Always committed. Always passionate.”

From Monday December 2, Seven News will run for the full hour from 6-7pm, the format it already follows in all states outside of Adelaide and Perth.

Seven News is regularly the most-watched TV program each night, consistently delivering up to 1m metro viewers. Despite the split between Seven News and Today Tonight, the latter half of the show still often followed the first in the ratings, holding the second spot.

Rosanna Mangiarelli is currently the anchor in Adelaide and Monika Kos in Perth.

Seven also announced Sonia Kruger would be returning to its ranks in 2020. 

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