David ‘Kochie’ Koch announces he will leave Sunrise but shares next move

After months of speculation, Seven stalwart David Koch has announced he will leave Sunrise after 20 years on the show – but he won’t be going far.

David ‘Kochie’ Koch will leave Sunrise after a record 20 years on the show – but says his next move won’t take him too far.

The breakfast host made the announcement just after 8am on Monday in between stories, prefacing the bombshell with: “Before we move on, just a bit of news from me.”

He told viewers after “nearly 21 years and 5300 shows”, he felt it was time to pass the torch to the next generation.

“I started here before Facebook, before Instagram, before Twitter and iPhones. That’s how old I am,” he said, as his co-host Nat became visibly emotional.

“I have loved every single minute of it and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved here over the last 21 years. I’ve been privileged to experience so many great adventures, to meet so many different people and to meet so many different people and to cover so many moments of history in the making. It really is the world’s best job.”

Koch, 67, will air his last show in two weeks, having made his mark as the longest-serving breakfast host in Australian history, Seven confirmed in a statement.

The television star said the move would allow him to focus on his family and business interests – but he didn’t rule out a return to the Sunrise couch.

Sunrise presenter David Koch will leave the Sunrise couch after 20 years. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

“As everyone knows, I’m a finance nerd so you’ll still see me pop up every so often on RBA board meeting days or covering other big financial news, but as a guest rather than host,” he said.

Koch and his wife Libby own Pinstripe Media, a marketing company specialising in start-ups, business and finance.

He is also the executive chairman of AusBiz, a streaming channel for markets and business content.

Outside of finance, the father-of-four is also chairman of the Port Adelaide Football Club, and Patron of the Koch Centre For Youth in Macquarie Fields.

Seven Chairman Kerry Stokes credited Koch with playing a crucial role in the success of Sunrise, and the network more broadly.

“David has played a central part in turning around the fortunes of the Seven Network over the past two decades to where we continue to dominate the ratings from dawn with Sunrise, a program he has been with since October 2002,” he said.

“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.

“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.”

David Koch shared an emotional post to his Instagram.

Koch’s resignation comes after months of speculation, with a post on his Instagram celebrating his 20-year anniversary sending tongues wagging.

“Thanks for having me Sunrise for the last 20 years. My most memorable moments (in no particular order); Anzac Day service on Kokoda Track, Climbing Kilimanjaro (twice) and getting lost on ascent night,” the post, which attracted congratulatory comments from other Seven stars, read.

In the same week, he confirmed to The Australian that he had floated the idea of departing to Seven CEO James Warburton, before agreeing to stay.

“After 20 years, I’ve felt I needed more flexibility in my life with my wife Libby and my business interests,” Koch said at the time.

“So when I mentioned leaving to Seven, James very kindly asked me whether we could work together on a plan that I wanted, which also kept my connection to the network and my focus on Sunrise.”