Patricia Karvelas to leave RN breakfast

Karvelas, who replaced long-term host Fran Kelly in early 2022, will take on a new role in 2025.

Patricia Karvelas has announced she will leave RN breakfast after three years at the helm.

Karvelas, who replaced long-term host Fran Kelly in early 2022, made the announcement on Wednesday, revealing her plans to “lean into a new cross-platform role”.

She will take on a new role as an anchor on the ABC’s News channel in 2025, covering national politics.

She will also host a new politics podcast but will remain host of Q+A.

The announcement comes as listenership for RN breakfast falls in four of the five major capital cities.

Patricia Karvelas has announced she will leave RN breakfast after three years at the helm. Picture: ABC

The latest official radio ratings show Karvelas recorded 70,000 Sydney listeners this year, compared to 85,000 for the same time frame in 2023.

Listeners dropped in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth for the same timeframe.

“I want to thank the ABC for the opportunities it has provided me through my decade here,” she said on Wednesday.

“It continues to be the most important public institution in the country in my view and I want to help build its connections with voters across the country.

“I’ll miss the Radio National audience enormously. There’s something magical about waking up when the country is asleep to bring the big news and conversations to the country.”

ABC’s Director of News, Justin Stevens said the network was excited to see Karvelas have a broader audience across audio, TV and digital for ABC News.

“She has done a superb job over many years on the RN network,” he said.

“In 2025 we want her to play a bigger role across our platforms to cover politics for our audience.”

The ABC has an ongoing review into Radio National.

A new host is yet to be announced.

Originally published as Patricia Karvelas to leave RN breakfast