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.
After 25 years Channel 7's Today Tonight has been axed. Friday will be our last episode. From next week – News will run for an hour. Even though I have only been here a few months…. I am absolutely devastated. This is an amazing bunch of people to work with. ? #perthnews
— Liz Sheehan (@PerthBreakfast) November 26, 2019
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.
Feel for the team in Perth, they have hardly any staff as it is and to produce a nightly show as they do is remarkable in itself and then be kicked in the teeth like this just sums up the management culture at SWM, [edited under Mumbrella’s comment policy].
“consistently delivering up to 1m metro viewers” this is for the year, right? No way is that even close to being a weekly figure.
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Awww… does that mean to find dodgy tradies, know who is fighting over fences, miserable landlords (and tennants), discover the latest miracle food, how to lose weight (again) and see the latest in “You won’t believe what happens next” I have to watch Sunrise or Today?
Bugger.
(Mind you, ABC News Brekkie is getting a bit that way too of late. Anyone see the commercials – sorry reviews – yesterday for Frozen II?)
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Hi What the Dickens,
I can assure you 1m metro viewers is the daily figure for Seven News. While I cannot go through and find all the times it has slipped over the 1m mark each night in 2019, I can provide one example here (which is not an anomaly) – https://mumbrella.com.au/seven-narrowly-wins-the-tv-ratings-week-585372.
It very often sits at the top of the TV ratings – primarily the first half (which is Seven News in all markets), but the second half (which has been Today Tonight in Perth and Adelaide up until now) often takes second place.
Thanks,
Hannah Blackiston – Mumbrella
I guess the rise of Sky News is having an impact now too.
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Just goes to show that Sydney-based TV execs will never learn. 7 Sydney did the same thing to 7 Brisbane’s State Affair in 1987 and the ratings for the 6pm hour plummeted from twenties to sixes and sevens allowing 9 to take the lead and dominate the market for years.
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Maybe the staff should get together with the employees screwed over in the outrageous Pacific Mags sale – a scandal that is about to blow up big time and take a few prominent people with it. The staff could compare notes, see if they were done in the same way.
Can’t wait until the papers start to fly.
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Channel 7 are in love with Big Brother.
They will come gutzers … old rubbish ..
Never watched it never will …
shame on you 7……
Another reality crap…
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How about getting rid of Home and Away, and all of the rubbish reality shows that continuously come and go none of which last 25 years and do not even last 25 mins in my house. Roseanna Mangerelli was an excellent presenter and made us aware of all of the dodgy practices that are going on these days in their ever increasing numbers. Now it is left to 9 to continue to expose the scams!!!
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Typical interstate execs making rubbish decisions. It’s time to let go of lousy reality t v and the unbelievable Home And Away. One get’s sick of all the cooking, renovation, marriage, dating and other staged shows. At least Today Tonight had good informative programming
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Really disappointed in the cancellation. So now we will be provided an extension on the crap sport stories that pass for news in this country.
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What about the sale is outrageous?
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Why dont the producers admit that they are revamping the timeslot and giving it to a game show to fill the segment. Real issues replaced for game show ratings. Channal 7even u sucked then and u suck more now. Sonia [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy] Kruger u [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy] like a [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy]. Sucky 7
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So 7 sinks lower and lower with its offerings, Home and Away, Big Brother, Masterchef, (just to mention a few) and on it goes with programs that require an IQ of 5 or lower. You may as well just dish up a feast of reality programs and endless sunrise and the pathetic renovation madness with specially selected nut cases you react at the slightest thing.
Bring it back next week forget your pocket and deliver some substance, we get so little of it on 7.
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“The Television industry is a cruel shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway, where thieves and pimps run free and good men/women die like dogs”. Hunter S Thompson
Those faceless [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy] in management should hang their heads in shame, allowing the Corporate thieves to emasculate an entire genre of broadcasting. Sunday Night Gawn!
Today Tonight Gawn!
Seven News soon to be Gawn. As they will broadcast Sky News soon.
And who cares about, local or regional news?
Not them!
A disgrace to a hard working bunch of producers , reporters, editors and cameramen. Who spent their heart and soul bringing you News and fighting your fights after you had exhausted all avenues With local and federal ministers, council authorities and police.
Let’s see how you go now !
Bring on Put Put Golf, Big Brother and whatever other tripe they believe the audience will be force fed.
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I have been watching 7 today tonight for all 25 years. Part of my daily ritual. I love the program. Will now watch all the other channels for news because I prefer companies that look after their staff. I am sure they will lose a lot of viewers after a short time. Bad move channel 7 🙁 hope presenter Kos finds a better position with opposition.
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ADELIADE & PERTH NINE WILL GIAN VIEWERS FORM SEVEN IN ADELAIDE & PERTH NE IN ADEIAUDE & PERT WILL EMPOY STAFF WHI SVEN SACKED IN ADELAIDE & PERTH.
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WHY????? I have loved & watched this show Today Tonight for years…Who will now help the underdogs on this crazy planet…So sad..& it’s still watched by thousands….everyday…??
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Learn to spell, and offer sensible comments
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Thank you for the last 25 years, you would have to be the only program that I watched without fail. So sad to see you all go. Who ever made the decision to axe this show has no idea how much myself and others loved it. You have tears and joy into my home and I thank you very much for it.
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I am truly very upset about the axing of Perth’s edition of Today Tonight. I have been a loyal viewer since it’s inception, Monika is a great anchor. Although I am loyal to 7 News I sincerely couldn’t cope with a full hour, all the same stories that have played all day.
Big mistake Channel 7.
Maggie Gutierrez
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“SHOCKED” I can’t believe the executives have axed Today Tonight in Perth. It’s been one of my fav news shows for the past 25 years. If it’s not broke….don’t fix it!!! I’m so disappointed my show won’t be on anymore. Monika Kos has been an awesome anchor of the show and will truly be missed at 6.30pm week nights.
Massive Massive Mistake Channel 7
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I don’t know why WA has to lose one of it’s top ranking current affairs shows. I preferred only half an hour of news as I know I won’t sit through an hour of listening to them ramble on about crap that isn’t even interesting. At least Today Tonight was interesting and had alot of helpful stories. Feel so sorry for Monika Kos. Hope she isn’t out of a job now!!. I really don’t know what 7 are thinking. Most people turn the news off when it gets to sport. They tune out until the weather comes on and can’t wait till the news has finished. Bad bad move channel 7.
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Time to stop watching channel 7!!
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Very sad, disappointed and angry with the axing of Today Tonight, like Friday 6.30 came around and I thought what am I going to watch now. I don’t need an extended news service and it was done very quietly and secretly. Why? Because they knew they would get a lot of backlash. I have watched every episode of Today Tonight even taping it when away to watch on my return. Guess I’ll have to switch to Channel 9’s A Current Affair or watch pay TV.
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Bad move 7, really enjoyed TT top rating show so let’s axe it, now that makes sense. ABC news here I come.
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Have to agree.
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I cannot agree with your comments re Home and Away. This show is such a wonderful starting point for young actors, without it their prospects would not be the same. Just look at all the wonderful actors who have started on H&A and ended up in Hollywood. Do not deny them the chance to make themselves known to the industry.
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I’m sure this is due to seven news losing viewers to channel 9 and others. Seven are ok but nine is fresher and more up to date. Michael Thompson shows more emotion than Sue and Rick. I did like Sue and Rick a while a go but they just seem to read the news now (they’ve probably lost their passion for newsreading (not much emotion). Time to freshen up channel 7 and get some new newsreaders, give someone else a go. Adrian Barich is the best presenter on seven news the rest are boring. They should also get a new person to do the 7 news introductions and commercials. It’s long overdue for a change! The best news on television is 2, sbs and 9.
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Channel 7 happily boast Rick and Sue enjoy the longest TV news reading partnership. That’s great but they’re stale and their presentation style is now verging on boring so sitting through an hour of news just won’t happen in our home.
The axing of Today Tonight in WA in favour of the extended news hour – big mistake. So sorry to see you go Monika.
Now Channel 7 wants to take up Channel 10 discards like Big Brother. Rubbish!
Once Channel 7 you were taken as a quality, professional outfit but now you’re just turning into a trash at all costs TV Channel.
Bye bye 7!!!!! and good luck….you’re going to need it.
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She is taking over from Narelda Jacobs on Ten news at 5 next year.
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