David Koch departs Sunrise after 21 years

David Koch will step away from the Sunrise desk as the longest-serving breakfast television host in Australian history, having held the role for 21 years.

“It has been the world’s best job,” Koch said of his role on the Channel Seven breakfast TV program. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved as a team over 21 years. It went from sort of being nothing that nobody watched to a bit of an institution that is now way bigger than any one person.”

Channel 7 Sunrise star David Koch announces his exit from the breakfast show after 21 years.Credit: Seven

Koch, 67, shared the news first with Sunrise viewers and staff during Monday morning’s show. He intends to finish in two weeks.

“I have loved every single minute of my time at Sunrise,” Koch said on air. “I’ve been privileged to experience so many adventures, to meet so many incredible people, and to cover so many moments of history in the making.”

Koch joined Sunrise in 2002, initially presenting finance, then hosting alongside Melissa Doyle. As ‘Mel and Kochie’ they ushered in a new era of Australian breakfast TV.

According to Seven, Koch will have broadcast a record 16,000 hours of live TV across more than 5300 shows and some 50,000 interviews.

In 2013 Doyle announced she was leaving after 14 years, she was replaced by Samantha Armytage. Koch and Armytage formed a solid partnership until 2021, when Armytage left and Natalie Barr stepped in.

Koch, who remains chairman of the Port Adelaide Football Club, said he spoke with Channel Seven executives about stepping away, between October and November last year, but ultimately decided to stay for a few more months.

“I’m really proud of this show and I wanted to do what was best for it,” he said. “If they thought it was best for me to do another six months, I was not going to argue with that.”

Koch said this would not necessarily be the end of his relationship with television or Seven.

“I think you’ll see me pop up on different things,” he said. “Remember, I’m a finance nerd at heart, and the plan is for me to maybe pop up as a commentator for different big finance events and things like that. There’ll be a real connection with the network [Seven] for at least the next 18 months or so.”

Melissa Doyle and David Koch enjoyed a long partnership as Sunrise hosts.Credit: Seven

Koch interviewed everyone from prime ministers to sports stars, earning two silver Logie nominations in 2004 and 2005 for Best TV Presenter.

At times controversial, his tenure will be marked by memorable moments on and off camera.

He pointed to several stories that would have a lasting impact on him, including visiting troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, becoming the first Australian journalist to broadcast live from Antarctica and the time he met his idol, actress Julie Andrews.

David Koch at his home in Sydney’s Millers Point in 2020.Credit: James Brickwood

Perhaps his most memorable moment was his involvement in coverage of the Beaconsfield mine rescue in 2006, he said. Trapped miner Tod Russell had confirmed he was a fan of Koch, and famously presented the Sunrise host with his mining tag after being rescued.

“If you are curious about people and what makes them tick, there is no better show,” Koch said.

His only downside? Winter. “Getting up at 3.40am in winter – the discipline you have to have in your life,” he said. “I suppose the lifestyle challenges are the biggest I’ve had.”

In 2013, Koch attracted criticism following comments he made about a Queensland mother breastfeeding at a public pool. Koch had said women should be “more discreet and modest” when breastfeeding in public.

The comments triggered an outpouring of support for breastfeeding mothers and resulted in about 100 mothers and supporters converging on the Sunrise studio in Martin Place to breastfeed live on national television.

Former Australian Olympic sprinter Matt Shirvington is tipped to replace Koch, though Weekend Sunrise co-host Matt Doran will also be in the mix.

Koch said both men were “terrific blokes who are honest and natural”, and shared some advice.

“Be who you are. Don’t be influenced by social media to be somebody you’re not because three and three-quarter hours every day of live television will strip you bare. People that are viewers get to know you intimately and you can never fool them,” he said.

“Yes, you will stuff up. Yes, you will say things that people will believe are wrong, but you’ve just got to roll with it. That’s the nature of the beast. You’ve got to have a thick skin because you can’t please everyone all the time. You’ve just got to be yourself.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese congratulated Koch on a remarkable effort, “you deserve the odd sleep-in”.

Seven West Media Chairman, Kerry Stokes 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.”

Meanwhile, The Morning Show host Larry Emdur said: “He has had such an impact on morning television, an industry hero and a great mate”.

Current Sunrise team members were quick to pay tribute to Koch following the announcement. Edwina Bartholomew said, “He is one of a kind, exactly the same on TV as he is off-air.”

Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac shared a message of support that Koch had sent him after his first day on air. “It may seem like a simple gesture, but in the cutthroat business of TV, this level of support and kindness is surprisingly rare,” wrote Mac.

And Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said: “All good things come to an end, and I admire and respect his decision to step away from Sunrise while he’s at the top of his game”.

Koch will finish up on Sunrise on Friday June 9.

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