The ABC is in transition. Well, that's the milder description: it could also be called a worrying state of flux, with a spate of senior executive exits and persistent reports of low morale and ebbing confidence in managing director Michelle Guthrie, who took up the post in May last year.
In recent months, head of entertainment Jon Casimir, director of ABC TV Richard Finlayson and chief operating officer David Pendleton have announced their departures. Chairman of the board James Spigelman is expected to retire when his term ends on March 31, and there are rumours that Guthrie is considering adopting the BBC model and installing a director of content who would sit above the department heads in the hierarchy.
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The good ship ABC is rarely a calm vessel. It operates amid perpetual debate about its political inclinations, often incited by rivals whose commercial interests are served when the ABC is weakened. And it relies on a frequently hostile federal government, which controls its purse strings: the organisation is still reeling from the loss of the $254 million that the Abbott administration ripped from its coffers in 2014.
Even with that blow to its budget, the ABC is expected to do more with less, and setting priorities is a challenge for anyone running the show. There's a need to preserve some of the old, the programs that the ABC is valued for, as well as those that it is obliged to provide as a public broadcaster. But there's also an imperative to embrace the new, notably the glittering possibilities of online.
The corporation has been on the front foot in that space with iView, which as well as being a catch-up service has emerged as a platform to premiere and develop productions. But, at this stage at least, online is a low-budget arena, great as adjunct to main game that is the primary channel, but no substitute for it.
The ABC needs to be a proud home for prestigious local drama productions as well as for authoritative news and current-affairs. They cost, but they're critical and they can't be replaced by a fistful of inventive iView exclusives.
Various inquiries attest to the fact that Australians are passionate about their national broadcaster, demonstrating a loyalty to and engagement with it that would be the envy of any corporate chief.
With that in mind, some suggestions for areas that require attention.
Fill the 6pm-7pm black hole
Elsewhere regarded as a key strategic position, this hour has become an ABC dead zone. Yes, a large chunk of the audience is tied up with programs on the commercial channels at this time, but that's no reason to abandon it. Find a cost-efficient alternative, maybe a studio-based game show. SBS's axing of Letters and Numbers still seems wrong-headed. So maybe revive it?
Fix the mess that is ABC2
Either turn this channel into something worthwhile or shut it down and save the money. Originally fashioned as a younger, hipper companion to the main channel, ABC2 is now largely a dumping ground for inferior imports. Any early energy or distinct identity have evaporated, possibly a consequence of the aforementioned $254 million. The more risky kinds of productions once destined for ABC2 are now more likely to appear online.
Cancel repeats of QI and Antiques Roadshow
They've been shamelessly recycled as space fillers. Cost effective: probably. Lazy programming: definitely. Enough, already.
Ronny Chieng (centre) in 'Ronny Chieng - International Student' on Comedy Showroom. Photo: ABC
Revisit Comedy Showroom
Last year, the ABC screened six comedy pilots with the conceit that viewer enthusiasm could spur development of some of them into series. Only one, Ronny Chieng's patchy International Student, got a gong (and I can't help but harbour dark suspicions that his profile in the US, rather than the pilot's quality, might have played a part in that decision). Whatever the factors at play, a couple of the more promising productions were The Letdown and Moonman. Give them a go.
ABC kids' show Dance Academy.
Think of the kids and make their parents happy
Commercial networks invest in children's TV grudgingly, because they're required to. The ABC needs to be a leader in this field, to nurture imaginative, well-crafted programs that tell local stories. It's a long time since the glory days of Round the Twist, but more recent productions, such as Dance Academy, Nowhere Boys and Little Lunch, suggest it can be done. More, please.
Dr Graham Phillips was one of Catalyst's presenters. Photo: ABC
Get the science right
Because no one else will. The staff cuts and changes to Catalyst – from a series format to 17 hour-long documentaries – have justifiably caused concern. But the show had been struggling for years and a couple of editions that should never have aired significantly damaged its standing. Appoint a strong executive producer to set standards, drive the new format and regenerate an area valued by viewers.
For arts sake
Start taking arts coverage seriously – and that doesn't mean a scant half hour buried late-night mid-week, or five-minute documentary profiles available only online.