ABC’s political chatfest Q+A has challenges ahead says Stan Grant

ABC’s Q+A has tough challenges ahead after a changed timeslot and abrupt departure of its former host Hamish Macdonald, says rotating host Stan Grant.

Stan Grant is confident about the ABC’s decision to switch to a rotation of three hosts for Q+A. Picture: Jane Dempster

ABC presenter Stan Grant says his latest role as a rotating host on political chatfest Q+A comes with its challenges, not least the public broadcaster’s commitment to retain the show in its “very tough” Thursday night timeslot.

The program was moved at the beginning of the year from its long-running spot on Mondays at 9.30pm to Thursday at 8.30pm, but under former host Hamish Macdonald it failed to gain traction – ratings went on a downward spiral and Macdonald made an abrupt exit last month.

Despite this, Grant, 57, said he remained confident about the public broadcasters’ decision to switch to a rotation of three hosts including himself, ABC Melbourne radio mornings’ host Virginia Trioli and Insiders’ host David Speers.

“Q+A has had a lot of change in the past couple of years – a change of host, change of timeslot, and Thursdays are a very competitive timeslot,” he said.

“After Hamish left we now have a rotation … which I’m sure is good for David and Virginia who are very busy with a whole lot of stuff themselves.

“It’s there to provide a service to people to allow discussion, insight and information.”

The program regularly comes up against Thursday night AFL and NRL football matches which has undoubtedly impacted audience numbers.

Q+A began airing in 2008 under former host Tony Jones and regularly achieved ratings across the five metropolitan cities above 600,000 viewers, but under Macdonald’s reign it sank to its lowest-ever viewership at just 224,000 viewers in April.

Grant’s other duties at the ABC include his role as international affairs analyst, his commitment to a second series of China Tonight, as well as his weekly online column.

He also occasionally hosts One Plus One, and 7.30.

Rumours have recently been swirling within media circles that 7.30 could shift from airing five to six nights a week, with the hosting role to be shared between Leigh Sales and Grant. But Grant dismissed any truth to the scuttlebutt and so too did the broadcaster.

“There have been no discussions about changing the format of 7.30 in any way,” an ABC spokesman said. “Leigh Sales will return to the presenter’s chair on Monday after some well-deserved leave.”

Sales has been absent from the show since June 24.