10 News is pressing reset on parts of its schedule for 2026, confirming the Afternoon bulletin will not return in the new year, while the late news and weekend editions are set to expand.
In an internal email obtained by TV Blackbox, Head of News Martin White recently told staff the shifts are designed to meet audiences where they are watching, calling it “a pivotal time for our industry” and urging the newsroom to focus on areas of strength as viewing habits continue to evolve.
“We need to celebrate our successes, of which there are many, and make sure our efforts are focused where audiences are strongest”
White wrote.
The Afternoon bulletin launched only last year, built off the lunchtime news and using much of the same crew and content, but will now be phased out under the new changes, with no impact to the existing 1:00pm bulletin.
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White stressed the move is not a reflection on the team’s work, saying there will be “no impact on staffing or jobs”, though the shift is likely to free up resources for the 5:00pm news and the expanded late night format once the bulletin wraps.
Ursula Heger will continue to front the Late News as it shifts to a 9:30pm start in 2026 (image – 10)
The biggest change lands late at night. After quietly rebuilding its audience since returning in April last year following a TV Blackbox exclusive in 2023 confirming its comeback, the Late News will shift to a 9:30pm weeknight start with host Ursula Heger and expands to a full hour.
“It’s a recognition of the bulletin’s phenomenal success over the past 12 months, with viewers watching on as many platforms as possible”
White told staff.
Weekends also grow again. The network will stretch the national 5:00pm Sunday bulletin back to 90 minutes to mirror Saturdays, with 10 News+ to shift to 6:30pm on Sundays in its new 30 minute format from early 2026, a 10 spokesperson has confirmed.
This shift follows the network’s earlier confirmation that the in-depth current affairs program, which launched in June, will return in 2026 in a trimmed 30 minute weeknight edition, holding its ground in the fiercely competitive 6:00pm slot.
The longer format is familiar territory for 10, which has spent years experimenting with extended editions, including a 90 minute weekday 5:00pm news run before Deal or No Deal took over the 6:00pm slot last year and later shifted to 7:00pm when Plus launched.
Georgie Tunny will take over 10’s national weekend bulletin from February 2026 (image – 10)
The weekend bulletin will also welcome a familiar new face in 2026, with network presenter Georgie Tunny stepping in from February to replace Chris Bath, whose seven year run with the network is set to wrap soon after the two sides reportedly failed to agree on new contract terms.
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White thanked Bath in his email to staff:
“I would like to sincerely thank Chris for her passion, dedication and contribution throughout her time presenting this bulletin. She will always be a valued member of the 10 family.”
The schedule shake up is just one part of 10’s broader changes next year, with a revamped early evening line up that will consist of:
5:00pm Local News
6:00pm 10 News Plus
6:30pm Deal or No Deal
7:00pm Millionaire Hot Seat
White finished the email by emphasising that the network can only move forward by sticking together, writing “none of us work for any individual show, we all work for 10 News. And that is something to be proud of.”
If there’s one constant in news, it’s change, and if 10 can hold its late bulletin to a steady 9:30pm start, it may yet become the kind of appointment viewing this new strategy might just be banking on.
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