Network 10 is reshaping its news slate for 2026, retiring its Afternoon bulletin and shifting investment into later time slots and weekend coverage.
The network’s Late News will be the centrepiece of the overhaul, with expanded resources and a new nightly window, shifting a 9:30pm weeknight start with host Ursula Heger, and expanding to a full hour.
In a staff email obtained by Mediaweek, Head of News Martin White outlined the changes and said the adjustments reflect where audiences are now choosing to watch.
Head of News Martin White
White told staff: “There is going to be a programming change next year, which will involve an adjustment to our news schedule.”
He said the priority was placing journalism where research shows the largest audience potential, adding: “We want our audience to see as much of your work as possible, on as many platforms as possible.”
The Late News will shift to a 9.30pm–10.30pm slot from early February, a move White described as a direct response to its strong performance.
“This is a recognition of the bulletin’s phenomenal success over the past 12 months. Everyone involved has done a remarkable job, reimagining a show that is a core part of 10’s DNA.”
He confirmed additional support would be provided to ensure the expanded bulletin succeeds and stressed that editorial values would remain unchanged.
White also flagged operational changes, with late reporter shifts to be introduced in Adelaide and Perth to mirror the structure already in place across Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
“The intention is to stagger start times so that there is no impact at 5pm,” he said.
Georgie Tunny
Rolling changes
This latest announcement comes after the network confirmed that journalist and presenter Georgie Tunny will anchor the network’s weekend news bulletin from 2026.
Tunny’s appointment follows the departure of Chris Bath, who announced last month she would leave Network 10 at the end of 2025.
Bath, who joined the network in 2023, said she was stepping back from nightly news to pursue new opportunities and rebalance her workload.