ABC’s comedy series Tonightly has been axed after just two seasons.
The national public broadcaster released a statement on Tuesday, informing viewers that they’re wanting a ‘fresh approach’.
It comes just weeks after the network axed consumer affairs program The Checkout due to budget cuts.
Tough market! ABC’s comedy series Tonightly has been axed after two seasons with the network wanting a ‘fresh approach’
With its final airing scheduled for September 7, the ABC revealed in an official statement on Tuesday: ‘Tonightly deliberately pushed boundaries to inform and entertain.
‘We are proud of the program and its role in supporting some of Australia’s best emerging comedy talent.
‘Our thanks go to the very talented team members for their hard work and dedication in producing a complex and cracking show in quick time, over some 150 episodes.’
The ABC also said that it would continue to produce innovative content: ‘Attracting younger audiences requires bold approaches and we continually experiment with new content and new formats particularly on digital platforms.
![Farewell: Host Tom Ballard [pictured] said in an official statement that he is 'so proud of the work' the program achieved](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/08/14/05/4F13F8AD00000578-6057653-image-a-72_1534219234027.jpg)
Farewell: Host Tom Ballard [pictured] said in an official statement that he is ‘so proud of the work’ the program achieved
‘We remain committed to exploring and developing projects that connect with different demographics.’
Host Tom Ballard also said in an official statement that he is ‘so proud of the work’ the program achieved, and to have been ‘surrounded by laughter and stupidity for an entire year’.
Fans of the program took to Twitter shortly after the announcement, voicing their disappointment in the network.
One viewer wrote: ‘Very sad about this, the sketches on Tonightly were excellent and it was fostering the talent of so many young comedians and writers…. which is, uh, what I thought the ABC would want to be doing.’
Online: Fans of the program took to Twitter shortly after the announcement, voicing their disappointment in the network
One viewer shared: ‘Tonightly was really finding its voice – some really good content was being produced’
Another followed with: ‘This is insane, the show was very good, it had heaps of comics being given a huge platform’
‘Sad news about Tonightly’: One viewer in particular was devastated by the recent axing
Another followed suit with: ‘Tonightly was really finding its voice, it had heaps of comics being given a huge platform.’
According to OzTAM’s overnight figures, Tonightly saw an audience of 18,000 tune in, across the five metro cities on Monday. National audience figures sat at 26,000.
The axing of Tonightly comes just weeks after the ABC announced that consumer affairs program The Checkout would not be renewed after six seasons, due to budget cuts.
In spite of the show’s recent TV Week Logie nomination for Most Popular Lifestyle Program, the national public broadcaster ‘decided not to proceed with the next series’.
Axed: It comes after the ABC announced that consumer affairs program The Checkout would not be renewed after six seasons, due to budget cuts. Pictured: The Checkout panel