Foxtel customers to receive new national ABC bulletin tonight as Govt Broadcaster cuts costs

Foxtel customers may get a surprise when they switch to the ABC 7pm news bulletin this evening.

From tonight, Foxtel satellite customers in all states except Western Australia will receive a national news bulletin produced from the ABC’s studio’s in Perth.

The new national bulletin will be presented by Pamela Medlen (Mon-Thur) and Charlotte Hamlyn (Fri).

On weekends, Foxtel satellite customers will receive a simulcast edition of the ABC News bulletin presented by Mariam Saab and Gemma Veness.

The move comes after the ABC implemented a plan to reduce retransmission costs by removing state-based feeds from the Foxtel platform

The changes will cause issues for viewers outside of the AEDT timezone.

For QLD viewers on Foxtel satellite, during Daylight Savings Time, programs on this channel will be on 1 hour earlier than advertised. Outside of Daylight Savings Time, programs will be as advertised.

 For SA viewers on Foxtel satellite, throughout the year, programs on this channel will be on 30mins earlier than advertised.

 For NT viewers on Foxtel satellite, during Daylight Savings Time, programs on this channel will be on 1.5 hour earlier than advertised. Outside of Daylight Savings Time, programs on this channel will be on 30mins earlier than advertised.

Viewers in Western Australia will continue to receive its own state feed (along with its WA 7.00pm state bulletin) due to the time difference.

Foxtel satellite customers can continue to watch their local ABC TV, in their local time zone and with their local 7pm news bulletin using one of the following methods:

• Watch their local ABC TV through free-to-air terrestrial transmission (requiring an antenna).

• Watch a live stream of their local ABC TV via the ABC iview app – available on many Smart TVs, set top boxes (including FOXTEL IQ3 and IQ4 set top boxes) and devices. An internet connection is required for this option.

•    Watch their local ABC TV via the VAST satellite service.

If you have any programs that are Series Linked on the ABC, you’ll need to set up these Series Links again as they won’t automatically transfer to the new national channel.

More information is available here.