Yass Tribune

Kochie announces plans to leave Sunrise

Anna Houlahan
Updated May 29 2023 - 11:17am, first published 8:55am

In an emotional on-air statement Sunrise's David "Kochie" Koch has announced his resignation from the long-running breakfast news show.

"I decided to hang up the boots as co-host of Sunrise," he said.

The finance journalist, who helmed Sunrise for 21 years, said his final show will be Friday June 9.

"I started here before Facebook, before Instagram, before Twitter and iPhones - that's how old I am," he said during the broadcast.

Kochie and co-host Natalie Barr. Picture: Sunrise
Kochie and co-host Natalie Barr. Picture: Sunrise

"I have loved every single minute of it and I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved here over the last 21 years."

"I've been privileged to experience so many great adventures, to meet so many different people and to cover so many moments of history in the making."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Mr Koch has been a stalwart of breakfast television and was instrumental to Sunrise's success, Seven West Media Chairman Kerry Stokes said.

"David has played a central part in turning around the fortunes of the Seven Network over the past two decades to where we continue to dominate the ratings from dawn with Sunrise, a program he has been with since October 2002," he said.

David Koch at the Wesley Mission Prime Christmas Appeal in 2005. Picture by Brock Perks
David Koch at the Wesley Mission Prime Christmas Appeal in 2005. Picture by Brock Perks

Mr Koch will round out 16,000 hours of television over 5,300 shows with his resignation and it's unclear what his next move will be.

Co-host of the ABC's breakfast program, News Breakfast, Lisa Millar said "morning television can be pretty brutal".

David Koch and Melissa Doyle on the Sunrise set. Picture via Channel Seven
David Koch and Melissa Doyle on the Sunrise set. Picture via Channel Seven

"It is very competitive but there are also some very decent people and Koch is one of them," she said.

"We wish you well from the ABC News Breakfast couch, Kochie, lots of sleep-ins."

Anna Houlahan

Anna Houlahan

Journalist

Anna Houlahan is a journalist for Explore and the Senior. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au

Breaking news alert Newsletter

As it happens

Breaking news alert

Be the first to know when news breaks.