Sunrise host David Koch is walking away from Seven’s breakfast TV show after 21 years.
An emotional Koch – Australia’s longest-serving breakfast television host, – made the announcement live on air on Monday.
“Before we move on, just a bit of news for me,” he said.
“I have decided to hang up the boots as co-host of Sunrise. After nearly 21 years and over 5300 shows …” before choking up.
“16,000 hours of TV, it is now time to work in business hours and have a bit of flexibility to focus more on our big family and the family business. And frankly, my football club as well (Koch is chairman of the AFL’s Port Adelaide),” he continued.
“After 20 consecutive premierships in the breakfast TV ratings game, I’m frankly finding it harder to get off the ground to take those marks and I think it’s time to bring in the next generation.”
The 67-year-old will host his last Sunrise at the end of next week. In a statement later, he said he had loved his time on the show.
“I’ve been privileged to experience so many adventures, to meet so many incredible people and to cover to many moments of history in the making. It really is the world’s best job,” he said.
Koch’s last episode of Sunrise will be on June 9.
He said he would miss working with “the amazing Sunrise team, especially [co-host Natalie Barr], Beretts and Dave Walters”.
“I reckon I’ve spent more time with them than my family and it has been an utter joy. I’ll miss the Sunrise viewers who have energised me every single day,” he said.
Koch said he also appreciated the support of the Seven Network throughout his two decades on breakfast TV.
Barr paid tribute to her co-host on Monday.
“Sunrise wouldn’t be Sunrise without David Koch. For almost 21 years, I’ve sat at that desk with him and watched as he changed the way breakfast television was done in Australia,” she said.
“When they hired him, he said he’d do the job on one condition: that he wouldn’t be a newsreader. And boy did we get the opposite of that. He’s cut through the PR and the spin and by being himself, got to the heart of every story he’s covered.
“It’s been one of the highlights of my life to sit with him and watch.”
Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes said Koch had played a central part in turning the network’s fortunes around “to where we continue to dominate the ratings from dawn with Sunrise“.
“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,” Mr Stokes said.
“I wish David and his wife Libby the best after what has been a rigorous work schedule, which has also included many pro bono roles in the sports and charity arenas.”
Seven West Media managing director and chief executive James Warburton said Koch was “the ultimate team player”.
“I’m going to miss seeing him on screen every morning. I wish him, Libby and the family all the very best for the future, and thank you from everyone at Seven,” he said.
Koch last morning on Sunrise will be on June 9. His replacement will be announced shortly.
-more to come
