7.30 is an Australian nightly television current affairs program which broadcasts on ABC and ABC News at 7:30 p.m. on Monday to Thursday nights. The program is the flagship for the network and is currently hosted by Sarah Ferguson.

7.30
Genre
Presented bySarah Ferguson
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons13
Production
Executive producerJoel Tozer
Producers
  • Trish Drum
  • Clay Hichens
  • Laura Kewley
Running time30 minutes
Original release
NetworkAustralian Broadcasting Corporation
Release7 March 2011 (2011-03-07) –
present
Related
Lateline

History edit

The program first aired on 7 March 2011, replacing both The 7.30 Report and Stateline. It was originally hosted by Leigh Sales and Chris Uhlmann.

In 2012, Uhlmann was appointed as 7.30 political editor, therefore stepping down as host. Uhlmann remained as political editor until 2013 when he announced that he would be working on a documentary about the Rudd and Gillard governments for the ABC. Sabra Lane replaced him as political editor, until she left to host the ABC morning radio current affairs program, AM.[1]

In 2015, Jo Puccini was appointed the Executive Producer.[2]

In December 2016, the ABC announced that Andrew Probyn would replace Sabra Lane as political editor.[3] In August 2017, Probyn moved to a new role as the ABC's political editor replacing Chris Uhlmann who left the broadcaster for the Nine Network.

In February 2018, Laura Tingle was appointed as political editor replacing Probyn.[4]

In 2014, Sarah Ferguson hosted the show whilst Leigh Sales was on maternity leave.[5] She received critical acclaim for her hard-hitting interview style from many Australian media outlets.[6] Laura Tingle, Michael Rowland, Virginia Trioli, Ellen Fanning and David Speers are fill-in presenters.

In 2018 Justin Stevens was appointed the Executive Producer.

In February 2022, Sales announced that she would be stepping down as host after almost 12 years in the role. She would finish at the program in June, after the federal election and will stay with the ABC.[7] Current executive producer Justin Stevens will also be leaving the role imminently to become the head of the ABC's news, analysis and investigations division.

In April 2022, the ABC announced Sarah Ferguson would return from her role as special correspondent in Washington to succeed Sales as the host of 7.30 from July 2022.[8]

Joel Tozer was announced as the new Executive Producer of the program in June of 2022, taking over from Justin Stevens who was becoming the network's Director of News.[9]

Hosts edit

Presenter Tenure
Leigh Sales 2011–2022
Chris Uhlmann 2011–2012
Sarah Ferguson 2022–present
Laura Tingle 2018–present

State editions edit

On 28 November 2014 Quentin Dempster announced the final episode of the state editions would be the following week (5 December 2014), corresponding with his departure from the public broadcaster.

The state editions of 7.30 were broadcast on ABC at 7:30 p.m., with eight separate state and territory specific editions. Each local version of 7.30 was also broadcast nationally on ABC News over the weekend.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Lallo, Michael (26 October 2016). "Sabra Lane quits 7.30 to host the ABC's flagship radio show, AM". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  2. ^ Aston, Joe (18 March 2015). "Jo Puccini appointed new EP of 7:30". Financial Review. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  3. ^ "Andrew Probyn joins ABC News". About the ABC. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  4. ^ Carmody, Broede (12 February 2018). "Laura Tingle named chief political correspondent for ABC's 7.30 program". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  5. ^ "Sarah Ferguson to host 7.30 when Leigh Sales takes leave". The Australian. 5 December 2013. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  6. ^ Mathieson, Craig (30 May 2014). "Why Sarah Ferguson won't be easily forgotten as ABC's 7.30 presenter". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Leigh Sales announces she is stepping down as presenter of 7.30". ABC News. 10 February 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  8. ^ Knox, David (29 April 2022). "Sarah Ferguson to host 7:30". TV Tonight. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  9. ^ Down, Rhiannon (30 May 2022). "ABC nabs Nine star producer Joel Tozer in revamp". The Australian.

External links edit