Lateline Returns With A New Look

Lateline Returns With A New Look

 

Award-winning current affairs program Lateline returns to air on Monday March 9 in a new home, with a refreshed format and at a more accessible time.

 

Viewers nationwide can watch Lateline on dedicated news channel ABC News 24 in the earlier timeslot of 9:30pm AEDT and again on ABC TV at 10:30pm (local time).

 

Hosted by Emma Alberici and Tony Jones, and marking its 25^th anniversary this year, the program will continue its tradition of breaking stories and setting the news agenda.

 

ABC Director of News Kate Torney said: 'Lateline represents a commitment to in-depth analysis and current affairs on News 24 in the evenings.

 

'It will have more time for longer investigative items, the ability to tackle stories from more diverse angles, and our interviews with politicians and industry and community leaders will be extended, allowing us to advance the news agenda and dig deeper."

 

Lateline has updated its format several times since its 1990 launch, from a single-issue interview show to offering an overview of the day's key events.

 

Led by Head of Current Affairs Bruce Belsham and EP Lisa Whitby, its latest reworking refines the program's format while preserving the elements that have made it great: major news-breaking interviews and original investigations.

 

The new Lateline will have a more flexible format featuring interviews, stories and investigations. The changes make it less of a news bulletin; a gap already filled by the 7pm News and the continuous news services on ABC News 24 and ABC News Online.

 

'We are very appreciative of all the hard work Lateline staff have put into the relaunch and we are excited by its imminent return," said Belsham.

 

Tony Jones said helming Lateline was a privilege.

 

'With a rich broadcasting history of 25 years Lateline remains essential viewing and we'll be reaching an even broader audience through increased engagement with social media," he said.

 

Emma Alberici said she was looking forward to re-engaging with the audience and bringing them a fresh take on current events. 

"We also want to hear viewers' thoughts on the stories making news and the issues that matter to them," she said.

 

Follow @Lateline and keep up to date with what's happening at www.facebook.com/ABCLateline

 

You can also watch the LIVE stream at www.abc.net.au/news24 or catch up on iview.

 

Lateline will air live Monday to Friday on ABC News 24 at:

9:30pm NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS 

9:00pm SA

8:30pm QLD

8:00pm NT

6:30pm WA

 

Lateline has established a reputation as a national leader in news reporting and analysis, receiving widespread acclaim for its innovative reporting, investigative journalism and in-depth interviewing.

 

Lateline began in 1990 as a half-hour, Canberra-based program presented by Kerry O'Brien. It pioneered the use of multi-satellite technology that enabled several guests in different locations to discuss a topic live.

 

Maxine McKew took over as presenter from late 1995 to the end of 1998.  In 1999 Tony Jones replaced McKew, and still hosts the program two nights a week.

In 2000 Lateline evolved to include a series of news reports, combined with a key interview in which the main news item was thoroughly explored through expert analysis.

 

Other Lateline presenters have included Virginia Trioli, Leigh Sales and Ali Moore. Emma Alberici joined the show at the start of 2012.

 

Tony Jones has been hosting Lateline since 1999.  He anchors the program on Wednesday and Thursday and hosts Q&A on Monday.

 

One of Australia's most respected journalists, Tony has more than 30 years experience in radio and television news and current affairs.  He has won six Walkley Awards, including three for broadcast interviewing in 2004, 2007 and 2011.

 

He joined the ABC as a radio current affairs cadet working on AM, PM and The World Today. In 1985 he was seconded to Four Corners as a reporter and in 1986 joined SBS's Dateline. He returned a year later to Four Corners.

 

Tony has been the ABC's Europe Correspondent and Washington Correspondent, as well as a reporter and the Executive Producer of Foreign Correspondent.

 

Emma Alberici presents Lateline on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Prior to taking up the role in January 2012 she spent four years as the ABC's Europe Correspondent.

 

For most of the previous two decades Emma was a business and finance journalist, including being the Finance Editor of 7.30. Prior to joining the ABC she spent nine years at the Nine Network and before that did her cadetship at News Corp's Herald Sun newspaper in Melbourne. 

 

Emma has been a finalist three times in the Walkley Awards for journalistic excellence. She is the author of three editions of The Small Business Book published by Penguin.