Executive producer Michael Pell to leave Seven’s Sunrise after 11 years

TV wunderkind Michael Pell is set to leave his executive producer role on Sunrise, after 11 successful years leading the ratings-winning breakfast show.

Michael Pell will step down from his role as executive producer of Sunrise at Easter.

Discussions are well under way about a new role within the Seven Network which will see Pell move to Los Angeles.

Yesterday sources denied the new role would be attached to the news division, and said it would likely be more aligned to programming.

Sunrise EP Michael Pell on air with then co-hosts Samantha Armytage and David Koch in 2020.

Network bosses have decided that after 11 years in the high-pressure job, the time is right for change in the management ranks at the nation’s top-rated breakfast show.

Sunrise sources insist 39-year-old Pell has been agitating for an LA role for more than a year and may yet baulk at Seven’s final offer.

Executives at Seven are still thrashing out a new role.

Having created a mega light entertainment role for Pell in 2020 giving him free range across other programs including The Voice and Big Brother and installing two more junior producers on Sunrise - something the ambitious producer is said to have wanted - Seven was forced to walk back the position last year after tensions boiled over behind the scenes between the program’s main Sunrise anchors, contributing to the departure of Samantha Armytage, and Nine’s Today show started to erode Sunrise’s ratings lead.

Since returning to his former full-time position on Sunrise the program has once again opened up the gap again over Today in the ratings.

Pell and his partner Daniel Burgess-Wise are expected to relocate to LA together.

Sources last week insisted Pell had his wings clipped by bosses in 2021 when he fell out with his former close friend Armytage creating an internal storm at Seven.

Armytage is set to return to Seven in a new capacity when she joins the cast of reality show Farmer Wants a Wife this year and will have a role in coverage of six horseracing events in 2022.

Seven sources say there are a number of contenders for Pell’s plum gig, among whom is popular The Morning Show Executive Producer and Director of News and Public Affairs, Craig McPherson favourite, Sarah Stinson.

Stinson is currently on maternity leave and is due back in the Martin Place building later this year.

McPherson refused to comment when approached yesterday.

So too Pell, who sidestepped our request for comment.

Sunrise stars David Koch and Natalie Barr have been advised that they should expect the appointment of a new EP in future weeks.

Sarah Stinson, who is currently on maternity leave …

… has been named as a possible replacement for Pell.

Pell’s role is yet to be defined, and the new contract is yet to be signed off, however it is believed he will have a role that involves looking for content and programming in the US.

It’s believed his long term partner Daniel Burgess-Wise will relocate with him.

An announcement is expected to be distributed in coming days.

Pell has been around to see the many highs, lows and scandals which have taken place over the past decade.

Often referred to as the “wunderkind” of television, Pell has been credited with the program ranking number one in its timeslot his entire tenure.

He was at the helm of the program during Melissa Doyle’s unceremonious exit from the hosting role — a gig she held alongside Koch for 14 years.

He is also believed to have been instrumental in the appointment of Samantha Armytage, who abruptly left the program last year, following rumours of a rift between the pair.

He has since addressed the fallout saying, “I have known her (Samantha) for 20 years. And she’s like a sister to me.

“And like a brother and sister relationship, you have good times and bad times.”

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]

Originally published as Executive producer Michael Pell to leave Seven’s Sunrise after 11 years