Lateline
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television news and current affairs |
| Founded | February 13, 1990 |
| Defunct | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Area served | Australia, Asia, Pacific |
| Products | Television news program |
Lateline was an Australian television news program that ran from 1990 until 2017. Originally broadcast on weeknights via ABC TV, it eventually expanded its reach to international viewers across Asia and the Pacific through the Australia Plus Satellite Network and the continuous broadcast on the ABC News Channel.
This late-night current affairs show gained recognition for shaping the following day’s news nationwide. Renowned for its direct debates, sharp political interviews, and contributions from prominent figures in politics, media, and industry worldwide, it was characterized by the Australian outlet Crikey as "an essential current affairs program that likely generates more headlines in the next day’s newspapers than any other television program in Australia." Its timing in Australian Eastern Standard Time also suited international correspondents, boosting its global relevance.
History
Lateline debuted on 13 February 1990 as a thirty-minute program centered on a single-topic debate, hosted by Kerry O'Brien and broadcast nationally from Canberra on ABC-TV. Initially airing three nights weekly, it expanded to four nights in 1992. The format began with a brief video segment highlighting the most significant news story of the day, followed by a moderated discussion involving two to four guests. Subsequent hosts included Maxine McKew, who transitioned to politics in 2006, along with Tony Jones, Leigh Sales, Ali Moore, and Emma Alberici.
A notable advancement was the incorporation of satellite technology for guest appearances, enabling remote contributors from around the globe to participate alongside studio guests. This approach enriched the program by blending Australian viewpoints with international perspectives.
In 2000, Lateline relocated from Canberra to ABC’s Sydney headquarters and integrated the ABC Late News, a concise ten-minute roundup of the day’s key headlines.
In October 2017, after nearly three decades on air, ABC announced the discontinuation of Lateline as part of a strategic pivot toward new investigative and specialized journalism teams. The decision reflected evolving audience habits and challenges posed by digital media disruption. ABC pledged to fully support the program through the conclusion of the 2017 television season while introducing new multi-platform projects and programs emphasizing comprehensive reporting.
Presenters, reporters, and producers
During its final phase, Emma Alberici co-hosted alongside Tony Jones, having joined in 2012.
Distinguished reporters featured on the program included Margot O'Neill, John Stewart, Kerry Brewster, Ginny Stein, Jason Om, Jamie Cummins, David Lipson, Barbara Miller, Helen Vatsikopoulos, and Matt Wordsworth.
Previous hosts comprised Kerry O'Brien, Mark Colvin, Maxine McKew, Virginia Trioli, Leigh Sales, Ali Moore, Ticky Fullerton, and Tony Jones.
Lateline received numerous accolades throughout its run, including Walkley Awards earned by Maxine McKew (1998) and Tony Jones for excellence in broadcast interviewing (2004, 2007, 2011). Additionally, reporter Suzanne Smith secured a Logie Award in 2005 for her exceptional coverage of sexual abuse issues within Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.
See also
- List of longest-running Australian television series
- List of programs broadcast by ABC (Australian TV network)
- List of Australian television series
External links
- Articles with short description
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation original programming
- ABC News and Current Affairs
- 1990 Australian television series debuts
- 1990s Australian television series
- 2000s Australian television series
- 2017 Australian television series endings
- Australian English-language television shows
- Television shows set in Sydney