Popular daily ABC News show The Drum is AXED as national broadcaster undergoes a major restructure

The ABC has confirmed that panel discussion program The Drum will not return next year, with its final episode airing this Friday.

In an email to all employees, ABC News director Justin Stevens called the decision “difficult” and said it would result in job losses.

The move is part of a broader restructuring initiative that includes dismantling the ABC News Channel programming team and eliminating one senior position.

Stevens credited The Drum for its role in discovering new talent through its diverse panelists.

However, he acknowledged that the show has had a “comparatively small and declining” audience in recent years. Despite the program’s cancellation, co-hosts Julia Baird and Ellen Fanning are set to continue working at ABC in new roles.