‘I’m not woke’: Departing Sunrise co-host David Koch lashes social media-obsessed stars

Departing Sunrise co-host David Koch has hit out at the impact of social media on TV personalities, saying too many people are ‘trying to be something they’re not’.

Departing Sunrise co-host David Koch has hit out at the impact of social media on TV personalities, saying “too many people on TV at the moment are trying to be something they’re not”.

Speaking to The Australian just hours after he announced his resignation, the 67-year-old said in his 21 years hosting the top-rating breakfast TV show, social media had brought a firestorm of online scrutiny on on-air talent.

Koch said in this environment it has become critical for TV talent to be authentic.

“When you are doing three and three quarter hours a day of live TV, you cannot pretend to be something you’re not,” Koch said on Monday.

“I’m not woke and you can’t pretend to be woke if you’re not.

“You can’t fake who you are, because you’ll get found out.

“The challenge these days is continuing to be yourself, amid the intense social media scrutiny.”

Koch is the longest-serving breakfast TV host in Australian history and he joined Sunrise in 2002 to lead more than 16,000 hours of live TV during 5300 shows and about 50,000 interviews.

Melissa Doyle on set with her Sunrise co-host David Koch in 2007.

He will leave one of the most coveted roles in television at the end of next week and his exit comes less than one year into a new two-year deal – as first revealed by The Australian in October – that will see him stay at the network until the end of 2024.

The father-of-four said he won’t be leaving Seven just yet.

“Seven aren’t getting rid of me that easily,” he said.

"I have loved every single minute of it"
After a remarkable 21 years at the helm of Australia’s #1 brekky program, an emotional David Koch has decided it is time to hang up the boots. @kochie_online#sunriseon7pic.twitter.com/cHkAU4FVyy

— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) May 28, 2023

“I can confirm I’m going to be around till the end of next year as a finance nerd.”

Koch is executive chairman of marketing company Pinstripe Media and business streaming channel ausbiz and is also the chairman of the Port Adelaide football club.

Speculation remains around who will replace Koch and join co-host Natalie Barr to lead the program.

Former Olympian Matt Shirvington, 44, is the favourite to replace Koch and has filled in for him on numerous occasions including when he took leave for six weeks last year.

One senior Seven insider told The Australian that “it would make sense that Matt would be the guy to take over” and he was popular within the network.

“He is everything that he appears,” the insider said.

David Koch with Natalie Barr, Samantha Armytage and Mark Beretta in 2016.

Another contender for the job is former Ten presenter and veterinarian Chris Brown, 44, who hosted programs including I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here and Bondi Vet and he jumped ship to Seven in February.

In a statement at the time Seven said Brown would start at Seven in July but would not disclose what role he would be doing.

“Seven will announce details of Chris’ new projects for Channel 7 and 7plus later this year,” the statement said.

The insider said the “timing is interesting” and Koch’s departure could look “coincidental”.

The other name which has been suggested, but unlikely, is Matt Doran who hosts Weekend Sunrise alongside Monique Wright.

Doran made international headlines in 2021 after he flew to London to conduct an exclusive interview with British singer Adele for the release of her fourth album, but revealed to her he had not listened to her new music when he interviewed her.

He later blamed his error on missing an email containing her album that he had overlooked and he was taken off air for two weeks after the incident.

Koch will make the announcement of his replacement on Sunrise on Monday.

Seven West Media executives including chairman Kerry Stokes and managing director and chief executive officer James Warburton thanked Koch for his long-running service at Seven that has seen Sunrise dominate the breakfast TV ratings.

My best wishes to @kochie_online on his announced retirement after 21 years as @sunriseon7 host - a remarkable effort, you deserve the odd sleep in 👏

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) May 28, 2023