ABC quizzed over future of Q+A

At Senate Estimates last week ABC leadership fielded a question on the future of Q+A and whether since dropping from 40 episodes last year to 24 this year whether any decisions had been made about its future.

Acting Managing Director Melanie Kleyn told Liberal Senator for NSW Dave Sharma, “I don’t think it’s progressed in any meaningful way to provide you with an update.

“I’m sure you were aware there was some changes with the host, and some changes with taking the show outside of being in studio in capital cities. So they’re the changes to date. I don’t think any other changes to report on at the moment.”

News boss Justin Stevens said, “The schedule for next year will be announced at the ABC Upfront in a matter of weeks.”

He added, “The team is certainly planning to return, given its an election year. Patricia Karvelas will be the host, the EP Eliza Harvey. The team are doing a superb job, a cracking the show last night, previewing the US election. Itperformed really well. I think it had roughly -don’t hold me to it- around 250,000 people watching.

“It was a good program last night. The team are committed to it evolving and making sure they’re connected to the community as much as possible.”