ABC to end ‘The Book Club’ after 11 years

The last episode of The Book Club will air on the ABC on 19 December, with Jennifer Byrne announcing she’s leaving the broadcaster after 11 years as host of the program.

In a video posted to Facebook, Byrne said that ‘it’s been a joy and a privilege to bring books to television, but the time is right for a change’. Byrne also thanked ‘the ABC which backed us, to the publishing industry which embraced us—and deepest thanks to the readers who travelled with us. I’ve loved the journey more than I can say’.

The series began its life as the First Tuesday Book Club in 2006, with regular guests Marieke Hardy and Jason Steger.

ABC Director of Television David Anderson said: ‘For eleven years Jennifer Byrne has been entertaining book lovers with her erudite mix of guests; heartily arguing over new releases, disputing the classics, grappling with the best summer reads, and managing to do it all with a healthy dose of laughter, affection and insight’. ‘We will be sad to see The Book Club go, but understand Jennifer’s decision and thank Jennifer, Marieke and Jason for the hours of reading, thinking, and talking they have shared with our audiences.’

Category: Local news