FOR more than 50 years, Sunday night in the Hunter has followed a familiar rhythm.
Dinner is served, school uniforms ironed, lunches packed and families curled up in lounge rooms across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast and northern NSW.
At 6pm, NBN News would begin.
This Sunday, that ritual will take place for the last time, as NBN News airs its final Sunday bulletin before sweeping changes introduced by WIN Television take effect.
For the past 16 years, newsreader Jane Goldsmith has joined those communities in their living rooms every weekend at 6pm.
In a social media post on Friday, Goldsmith invited viewers to join her on a Sunday one final time.
"It's been an honour to join you every weekend for the last 16 years, and before that, for about nine years as a journalist and producer on this much-loved bulletin," Goldsmith said.
"I'm proud of our outstanding news team, past and present, bringing you local stories that matter.
"Thank you to our many loyal viewers. See you Sunday."
Other familiar weekend faces include Adam Murray who reads sport on Sundays, Montanna Clare who reads sport on Saturdays and weather reporter Lauren Kempe.
WIN's restructure will cut at least 19 journalists, presenters and camera operators from newsrooms in Newcastle, Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, Tamworth and Lismore.
Weekend bulletins will end from June 27 and the traditional 6pm news will be replaced with a pre-recorded 30-minute local bulletin at 5.30pm.
Despite more than 6400 viewers signing a petition demanding WIN reconsider, staff were told the restructure would take effect from June 29.
For the journalists, camera operators, producers and presenters facing an uncertain future, Sunday's bulletin will probably carry extra weight.
For viewers, it's a final chance to sit down at the end of the weekend and watch the faces who have guided the region through triumph and tragedy.
When the closing credits roll on Sunday night, they will mark more than the end of a broadcast, they will mark the end of a tradition.
For thousands of people across the Hunter and northern NSW, a small piece of home television history will quietly fade to black.
