Sunrise stars David Koch, Natalie Barr and executive producer Michael Pell all in contract negotiations with Channel 7
COULD there be more breakfast TV shake-ups on the cards? After Lisa Wilkinson’s defection to Channel 10, Channel 7 have been quietly negotiating contracts with their Sunrise stars. What will it mean for morning TV?
Confidential
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COULD there be more breakfast TV shake-ups on the cards?
While Today has been dealing with the fallout of Lisa Wilkinson’s shock departure, Channel Seven has been quietly negotiating contracts with Sunrise’s key players.
Host David Koch, newsreader Natalie Barr and executive producer Michael Pell are in talks with network bosses over their contracts.
Sunrise recently won the 2017 ratings year for breakfast, giving the talent more bargaining power, and leaving Seven keen to keep the team together.
Koch, who has been on the brekkie show for 15 years, is understood to have requested a cut to four days a week.
It is not an unusual request with many big names in the industry including Sandra Sully and Carrie Bickmore only on air for four days.
Koch, 61, is said to be ready to scale back slightly, having asked to be on air Monday to Thursday.
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Insiders at the network said the demand is very likely to be met with Koch one of the most liked presenters not only at Seven but across commercial TV.
Barr is also coming to the end of her contract with Sunrise. Having been on the show for 14 years, she is considered a credible force on the team. Insiders say she has agreed to new terms and is expected to sign in the next few days.
Pell, who has been in the boss’s chair for seven years, has been in discussions over his contract for several weeks. While he is understood to have fielded offers from the opposition, Seven is reportedly keen to keep him.
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Samantha Armytage is believed to be under contract until next year. Confidential can only assume Armytage will be seeking pay parity with Koch when her time for negotiations come around.
A Channel 7 spokeswoman said the network would not comment.