SCA’s Nightly News 7 Spencer Gulf announces station closure
SA’s only regional TV news bulletin has pulled the pin, with its nightly broadcast taken off the air without any prior announcement. Here’s the regions affected.
Upper Spencer Gulf
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The only television news service for thousands of regional South Australians has announced it will cease broadcasting effective immediately.
Nightly News 7 Spencer Gulf, a TV news bulletin for the Spencer Gulf and Broken Hill regions has ceased its operations, informing staff this morning of the outcome.
This leaves the region without a local television news service.
Spencer Gulf Nightly News is owned by media conglomerate Southern Cross Austereo.
A spokesman from SCA confirmed the station will be closing and offering alternative employment opportunities to existing staff.
“SCA confirms that it will discontinue its weekday news bulletin on 7TWO in the Spencer Gulf region of South Australia,” the spokesman said.
“Discussions with affected staff for redeployment opportunities within SCA are underway.
“The final local news bulletin went to air on April 12, 2023.”
Nightly News 7 Spencer Gulf is South Australia’s only local regional TV news service.
Several concerned residents of the Upper Spencer Gulf voiced their concerns online, with many upset about their access to relevant regional content.
“What was the reason for shutting it down, don’t people think we need local news anymore?” asked Port Augusta local Chelsey Footner.
“This is a big business putting profits before community. If local businesses are able to they could show support for the Nightly News 7 Spencer Gulf team by pulling advertisement from Southern Cross Austereo,” said Fiona Antonic.
The bulletin, formerly known as Southern Cross News, was rebranded to Nightly News 7 Spencer Gulf in 2019.
The nightly news program has broadcasts at 7pm to avoid programming clashes with Big Bash matches.
Television revenue for Southern Cross Media Group experienced a significant fall in 2022, dropping 22.3 per cent to $65.8m – this compares to $84.7m in the year prior.
There was no indication given as to the bulletin’s closure during the final broadcast last night.
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