Seven West Media calls time on Today Tonight in WA, SA

Time has been called on current affairs program Today Tonight after 25 years on the airwaves.

Staff were told this morning the show would go off the air after Friday’s program.

Director of News and Public Affairs Craig McPherson said the Adelaide and Perth versions of the program would both go this week.

“For 25 years, Today Tonight has dominated in Perth and Adelaide,” he said.

“Producing more than 25,000 stories reflecting the good, the bad and everything in between of their constantly growing markets.

“To end such a successful reign has been one of the toughest decisions but a necessary one as the audiences shift and change along with the economics.

“I want to thank all both past and present Today Tonighters. Always committed. Always passionate.”

Some staff members will be redeployed into the Adelaide and Perth newsrooms, with the 6pm bulletins moving to a one-hour format.

Veteran journalist Mark Gibson tweeted after the news broke, saying he was “enormously proud” of the stories the show had produced in the 11 years he had been involved.

Today Tonight was the only locally produced current affairs program up until Flashpoint went to air earlier this year.

Over the past 25 years, the show has built a loyal fan base covering a range of stories from dodgy landlords to heartwarming features on the personal stories of West Australians.

Earlier this year, Today Tonight began a campaign to save young cancer patient Amelia “Milli” Lucas, and only last month helped drive a backyard renovation for the family of meningococcal survivor Robbie Buchan.