Aunty restructured: ABC is ditching its traditional TV and radio divisions

Major changes are underway for the national broadcaster with managing director Michelle Guthrie announcing an organisational change at the ABC.

In one of the biggest shake-ups in the broadcaster’s 85 years, the ABC is ditching its traditional TV and radio divisions.

It means staff will no longer be strictly working on either radio or TV – those divisions will be broken up and staff re-organised into content-based units focussed on particular topics.

The news division remains largely ‘untouched’ while no program is expected to be axed.

The restructure is a reflection of growing strength of digital media and recognition the ABC viewers and listeners are increasingly turning to the Internet for news and entertainment.

In making the announcement, Guthrie says the restructure does not mean job losses. However, there is no guarantee of future staffing levels.

“The search for efficiencies will go on, as it should for a tax-payer funded organisation. This phase is not about cost-cutting, not about program changes, not about a reduction in networks.

“This exercise today is about making sure we work collectively and in better and smarter ways to serve our audience”.

The planned restructure of the ABC is to be rolled out from early 2018.