Breakfast TV shake-up: big changes at Sunrise

Michael Pell is officially departing his lofty throne as Sunrise’s executive producer for a promotion in the US, initiating a series of other job moves at the morning brekkie show.

Gun television executive Sarah Stinson will return from maternity leave to take the helm at Sunrise.

Her appointment as Director of Morning Television at Seven follows news of the departure of Sunrise executive producer Michael Pell, who has taken a newly created position in Los Angeles.

Stinson previously ran The Morning Show and will continue to oversee the program as well as now being responsible for Sunrise and Weekend Sunrise, which is under pressure to revitalise the format to ensure it maintains its market lead.

Walkley Award winning journalist Sean Power meanwhile takes a step up to executive produce Sunrise while acting Morning Show EP Chloe Flynn will take that job permanently.

Both will report in to Stinson.

Sarah Stinson is now also responsible for Sunrise and Weekend Sunrise.

Channel Seven producer Sean Power.

“Through a pandemic, natural disasters and incredible global upheaval, breakfast and morning television have been a constant in our lives, bringing isolated communities together and keeping the nation informed as Australians wake up and think, ‘What will this day bring?’” Stinson said.

“It’s an honour to lead the incredibly talented Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise and The Morning Show teams, who have a proven track record in delivering breaking news, great entertainment and shining a spotlight on the issues that matter.”

Sunrise EP Michael Pell celebrated 10 years working on the show in 2020.

Power, who previously worked for Ben Fordham at 2GB is currently executive producer of major events for 7News.

“There’s no other breakfast show in Australia that cares as much about its audience as Sunrise,” Power said.

“The team both in front of and behind the scenes are world class, and they work around the clock to deliver the best show every morning. It’s an absolute honour to join them.”

Pell on the set of Sunrise with guest performer Ava Max. Picture: Instagram

Pell with boyfriend Daniel Burgess-Wise, who also works on Sunrise. Picture: Instagram

Pell meanwhile takes on the job of Senior Vice President, Entertainment Content, North America after 12 years in the Sunrise job, answering to Seven boss James Warburton.

It has been one of the worst kept secrets in the industry with Pell speaking openly of his promotion for several weeks.

It has been a couple of years of big changes across breakfast television in Australia.

On Sunrise specifically, Samantha Armytage quit her job co-hosting alongside David Koch while long-time newsreader Natalie Barr now sits in the chair.