NETWORK 10 is reshaping its news offering in 2026, confirming the Afternoon News bulletin will not return in the new year as the network doubles down on late-night and weekend news.
The move forms part of a broader schedule reset designed to better align resources with changing audience viewing habits.
The Afternoon bulletin, which launched only last year and was built around the existing lunchtime news team and content, will be phased out ahead of 2026.
Ten stressed the decision was not a reflection on the quality of the team’s work and confirmed there would be no impact on staffing or jobs. The existing 1pm bulletin will continue unchanged, while resources freed up by the move are expected to support the 5pm local news and the expanded late-night format.
The most significant change comes late at night, with 10’s Late News set to shift to a 9.30pm start on weeknights in 2026 and expand to a full hour. Ursula Heger will continue to anchor the bulletin, which has quietly rebuilt its audience since returning in April last year after a brief hiatus.
The network is banking on a consistent start time and longer format to further grow its late-night audience.
Weekend news will also expand, with the national 5pm Sunday bulletin returning to a 90-minute format to mirror Saturdays. In addition, 10 News+ will shift to 6.30pm on Sundays in a new 30-minute edition from early 2026, following confirmation that the current affairs program will return next year in a trimmed weekday format.
The network will also welcome a familiar face to its weekend desk, with Georgie Tunny (pictured) set to take over the national weekend bulletin from February 2026.
She replaces Chris Bath, whose seven-year run with Network 10 is set to conclude after the two sides reportedly failed to reach agreement on a new contract.
Under the revamped early evening schedule, Network 10 will retain its local 5pm news, followed by 10 News+ at 6pm, Deal or No Deal at 6.30pm and Millionaire Hot Seat at 7pm. With late news emerging as a growing strength, the network is now betting that a steady 9.30pm bulletin could thrive in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
