Belt-tightening at the ABC to save $84 million - described by veteran commentator Philip Adams yesterday as "a likely tipping point" - will see up to 250 jobs go at the Australian national broadcaster.

The funding shortfall is the result of the government freezing its budget from last year instead of increasing it in line with inflation.

Among changes announced by managing director David Anderson will be a partial withdrawal from Sydney, with the aim of having three-quarters of its content makers based outside the headquarters.

With job cuts across every division, radio news will be cut back and ABC Life restructured and rebranded as ABC Local with nine fewer staff. The flagship 7.45am news bulletin goes - to be replaced by a five-minute bulletin 15 minutes later - with the News division losing about 70 staff.

Spending on external and independent television productions will be cut by $5 million a year, with the Comedy television channel rebranded to cater for a broader audience.