ABC's News Breakfast bans guests in the studio
News Breakfast will still be talking to people ‘via Skype, over the internet, whatever works’.
ABC's News Breakfast is the latest television program to ban guests in the studio, in a bid to curtail the spread of the coronavirus.
In a video posted on social media platform Twitter on Monday morning, co-host Michael Rowland said "life in Australia has changed dramatically over the weekend, and that means life is changing for all of us here at News Breakfast".
Co-host Lisa Millar said the public broadcaster has had to make "some pretty tough decisions" to try and ensure the News Breakfast team, plus guests "stay healthy" during the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead, News Breakfast will still be talking to people "via Skype, over the internet, whatever works", Millar said.
"We're going to make sure that we still have the best program to bring you all the news and up to date information. We're just going to try and keep people healthy," she said.
The public announcement comes just hours after The Australian's Media Diary reported that ABC's flagship panel show Q&A will be filmed on Monday night without a studio audience, breaking its 12-year run. Instead, Q&A will take questions from home viewers on Skype.
Network Ten announced on Friday that its locally produced shows The Project, Studio 10, Dancing With The Stars and Australian Survivor: All Stars Reunion would be filmed without their usual audiences.
The announcement was made on the same day the free-to-air TV broadcaster had to change its weekend programming following the last-minute cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix on Friday morning over coronavirus fears, a decision which The Australian understands cost the network about $5m.
Seven Network has also introduced a no studio guest policy on its breakfast and morning shows, Sunrise and The Morning Show, respectively, aside from a few regular contributors, a company spokeswoman said.
There is no blanket rule at Nine Network, although it is understood to be limiting studio guests.
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