Regional broadcaster Southern Cross Austereo has confirmed the immediate axing of its local news service in South Australia.
Nightly News 7 was broadcast across the Spencer Gulf region of South Australia with the bulletin airing at 7pm on 7Two.
ABC radio reports news staff were informed on Thursday morning about the immediate axing of the bulletin which was the last remaining regional news service operating in South Australia.
Nightly News 7 Spencer Gulf was presented by Madeleine Kerr and John Hunt from SCA’s Hobart studio complex with reporters located in Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln and Broken Hill.
The axing comes after SCA has failed to find a buyer for its regional TV assets.
A spokesperson for SCA confirmed the decision telling TV Blackbox:
“SCA confirms that it will discontinue its weekday news bulletin on 7TWO in the Spencer Gulf region of South Australia. Discussions with affected staff for redeployment opportunities within SCA are underway. The final local news bulletin went to air on 12 April 2023.”
Over the years, the Spencer Gulf News service has provided an important training ground for presenters and reporters including: Virginia Langeberg, Tim Hatfield, Fraser Goldsworthy, Julie Snook, Will McDonald, Nicole Haack and Rosanna Mangiarelli.
I’m saddened to hear that Regional South Australia is now without a dedicated TV news service. Regional news isn’t cheap to produce, but it is very important to keep rural communities connected and informed on issues large and small. I hope that one of the networks will consider stepping up and produce a news bulletin for the region.