David Koch departs Sunrise after 21 years

29 May 2023

The Sydney Morning Herald

David Koch has announced he is leaving Sunrise after 21 years of hosting the Channel Seven breakfast TV program.

Koch, 67, shared the news first with Sunrise viewers and staff during this morning’s show.

Channel 7 Sunrise star David Koch announces his exit from the breakfast show after 21 years.Credit: Seven

“I have loved every single minute of my time at Sunrise, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved over the last 21 years,” Koch said.

“I’ve been privileged to experience so many adventures, to meet so many incredible people and to cover so many moments of history in the making. It really is the world’s best job.”

Koch joined Sunrise in 2002, hosting the show alongside Melissa Doyle. Together, the pair helped usher in a new era of breakfast TV, with “Kochie and Mel” becoming familiar staples of the Australian media landscape.

During his time on Sunrise, Koch has outlasted several co-hosts. In 2013 Doyle announced that she was leaving Sunrise after 14 years, with Samantha Armytage confirmed as her replacement. Koch and Armytage formed a solid partnership, co-hosting Sunrise until 2021, when Natalie Barr stepped in following Armytage’s exit.

Koch will step away from the Sunrise desk in two weeks as the longest-serving breakfast television host in Australian history, having broadcast a record 16,000 hours of live TV across more than 5300 shows and some 50,000 interviews.

In his 21 years with the program, he grilled everyone from prime ministers and premiers to celebrities and sports stars, earning two silver Logie nominations in 2004 and 2005 for Best TV Presenter.

At times controversial, Koch’s tenure will be marked by memorable moments both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

In 2006, Koch was integral in the coverage of the Beaconsfield mine rescue. Trapped miner Tod Russell had confirmed he was a fan of Koch, and famously presented the Sunrise host with his mining tag after being rescued.

Melissa Doyle and David Koch enjoyed a long partnership as Sunrise hosts.Credit: Seven

In 2013, Koch attracted criticism following comments he made about a Queensland mother breastfeeding at a public pool. Koch said that women should be “more discreet and modest” when breastfeeding in public.

The comments triggered an outpouring of support for breastfeeding mothers and resulted in about 100 mothers and their supporters converging on the Sunrise studio in Martin Place to breastfeed live on national television for the Sunrise Nurse-in, which was organised on Facebook following Koch’s comments.

The departure of Koch has been in the works for some time, with former Australian Olympic sprinter Matt Shirvington tipped to replace him. Weekend Sunrise co-host Matt Doran will also be in the mix.

Following Koch’s decision to step away from the desk, a revolving door of famous faces voiced their congratulations to Australia’s longest-serving breakfast TV host.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cited Koch’s “remarkable effort, you deserve the odd sleep in.”

Meanwhile, The Morning Show host Larry Emdur said: “He has had such an impact on morning television, an industry hero and a great mate”.

Current Sunrise team members were quick to pay tribute to Koch following the announcement. Edwina Bartholomew said, “He is one of a kind, exactly the same on TV as he is off-air.”

Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac shared a message of support that Koch had sent him after his first day on air. “It may seem like a simple gesture, but in the cutthroat business of TV, this level of support and kindness is surprisingly rare,” wrote Mac.

Koch’s decision to step away also drew a response from Seven’s board.

Seven West Media Chairman, Kerry Stokes paid tribute to Koch both as a friend and a colleague: “I will personally miss David, as he is a thorough professional and a wonderful human being, particularly in the manner he has mentored so many Seven people.”

And Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said: “All good things come to an end, and I admire and respect his decision to step away from Sunrise while he’s at the top of his game”.