NBN insists its new half hour format will contain more local news than the current one-hour program.

WIN Network has followed up on its announcement of changes to NBN News, after concerns about the impact on local news and staff.

Yesterday WIN announced the axing of locally produced weekend bulletins, and the shift to a 5:30pm half hour bulletin.

But WIN is responding with more detail around its commitment to local news, with a new control room at Newcastle studios and confirming the half hour bulletin will focus only on local news.

Here is their statement in full:

The WIN Network currently invests more in regional news across Australia, than any other broadcaster. Following the acquisition of NBN Television, its ongoing commitment to providing a voice for regional communities will continue.

Construction of a new state-of-the-art control room at the NBN studios in Newcastle will commence shortly, meaning NBN News will be truly produced locally and not from a control room in Brisbane, and opportunities to expand news content to digital platforms are currently being explored.

Commencing Monday, 29 June, NBN News will transition to a dedicated 30-minute locally produced bulletin airing Monday to Friday at 5:30pm, followed by Nine News at 6pm – giving audiences an extended 90 minutes of local, national and international news coverage each weeknight.

This new format will contain more local news than the current one-hour program. While the existing hour-long bulletin includes a mix of local, national, and international stories, the 30-minute bulletin will focus entirely on local news.

NBN News remains committed to communities across Northern NSW, and the new 30-minute bulletin will showcase local news, local sport, and local weather.

NBN News will continue to be produced and presented from the NBN Studios in Newcastle, with our locally based journalists and camera operators located in Newcastle, Central Coast, Taree, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Tamworth covering the stories that matter throughout Northern NSW and the Gold Coast.

TV Tonight has also confirmed Northern NSW viewers will see the Sydney 6pm Nine bulletin, but Gold Coast viewers will see the Brisbane 6pm Nine bulletin.