The national broadcaster announced a cost-saving plan in June to introduce a national TV news bulletin on Sunday evenings, attracting widespread criticism including from state Premiers.

ABC managing director David Anderson told staff today that while that particular cost-saving plan would be scrapped, other changes announced as part of the ABC’s “digital transition” would continue.

“After listening to audience feedback, it is clear that there are some members of the Australian public who continue to rely on the local Sunday night state bulletin,” Anderson said in the email.

“As a result, we will not be proceeding with this current proposal. The ABC intends to proceed with all other proposals and initiatives announced in June.”

Those initiatives involved 120 job cuts including the national political editor, newsroom and arts roles, provoking a storm of criticism from politicians and high-profile journalists across the spectrum.

The moves are part of a pivot away from TV and radio to digital and to chase a younger audience via social media apps.

In today’s email, Anderson emphasised the importance of investing more in digital services.

“As audiences of every demographic continue to move to primarily consuming ABC News content via digital platforms, we will continue to adjust our efforts and resources to meet their needs. This will require us to identify more savings for further reinvestment over the course of the Five-Year Plan.

“All media organisations, at home and overseas, public and commercial, are adapting to rapid change driven by developments in technology and evolving audience behaviour.

“The ABC is fully committed to maintaining traditional broadcasting services for as long as they are essential to keep all Australians informed and entertained. We are dedicated to local news and passionate about its value to communities across the country – including in many areas where commercial media is in retreat. Our commitment to provide local news services across broadcast and digital platforms is unmatched.”

Breaking: ABC local TV news bulletins saved!!
Local bulletins are vital for keeping our communities informed which is why the Greens fought so hard in the parliament and the public to have these proposed cuts stopped.

— ?? Sarah Hanson-Young (@sarahinthesen8) August 2, 2023

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas was one of the many critics of the proposal to cut the local Sunday night bulletin, writing to Anderson and ABC chair Ita Buttrose in June to convey his “alarm”.

“Whilst I understand and applaud the ABC’s desire to innovate and expand into the digital space, it appears local news is in retreat,” he wrote.

“I am concerned the decision to remove the South Australian 7pm Sunday night television bulletin will diminish state political coverage, which is critical to an informed debate in our local political discourse.

“The local Sunday night 7pm bulletin remains the most-watched ABC News program in South Australia by some margin. I am among the more than 62,000 South Australians who regularly tune-in.”

Buttrose gave an indication that the decision was under review in her response to the Premier on June 22, writing: “Thank you for your letter, I hear you. We’re looking into the issues you raised in your eloquent letter.”

Announcing the changes in June, ABC news director Justin Stevens put a positive spin on the decision, saying that “on Sunday night, the audience are going to get a really fantastic and strong national bulletin which will be updated in states that are on a different time difference”.

“Increasingly we’re seeing younger people accessing news and information on other platforms and if we don’t service them, in 20, 30, 40 years, we won’t have the audience we have now,” Stevens said.

“We could also put out a piece of social media, on say TikTok or Instagram, about a really strong investigation.

“If that doesn’t go on Instagram or TikTok, people under the age of 30 won’t even know it occurred or that it should matter to them.”