Michael Rowland to leave ABC News Breakfast, ‘the best job I’ve had’

Michael Rowland will leave ABC News Breakfast after nearly 15 years as co-host, with ACT newsreader James Glenday tipped to replace him.

According to sources within the ABC, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not allowed to comment publicly, Glenday will take over from Rowland early next year.

ABC News Breakfast host Michael Rowland, pictured with co-host Bridget Brennan, is leaving the program. Credit: ABC

Glenday recently announced that he would present his final news bulletin in a fortnight. This masthead has approached Glenday for comment.

An ABC spokesman said it was too early to confirm News Breakfast’s hosting line-up for 2025.

In a statement released two weeks ago, the broadcaster said Glenday would take on “an exciting new project” in 2025, the details of which will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

On Monday, Rowland told viewers that December 13 would be his last day on News Breakfast, describing the role as the best he has had at the national broadcaster.

“It’s been an immense privilege,” he said.

The veteran journalist told this masthead that he had given much thought to his decision.

“I’ve been considering it over the past 12 months especially, because it’s been a very busy year with me being off to the US twice, covering the presidential election,” he said. “I decided that 15 years of 5am starts is quite enough.

“My wife [Nicola Webber] is the happiest person in Australia this morning. The past 15 years have been great professionally but also family-wise.

James Glenday, who currently presents ABC’s ACT news bulletin, is tipped to replaced Rowland as News Breakfast co-host.Credit: ABC

“When my kids, Tom and Eleanor, were younger, I was available for school pick-ups and to take them to footy training and ballet lessons – but equally, there have been a lot of things I’ve missed at nights in terms of school speeches and the like.

“Walking around with what feels like perpetual low-level jet lag – and doing the hours that breakfast TV requires – has had an impact on my family life. My kids were seven and five when I started this job and now they’re in their 20s. They’ve given up a lot and even though I’ve enjoyed every moment on News Breakfast, now is the time to step back and enjoy family life a bit more.”

Rowland told viewers he was sorry for the “short notice”, adding he was “not one for long and drawn-out farewells; I wanted minimal fuss”.

Breakfast television is a competitive space and anchoring is challenging, covering hard news and analysis, as well as lighter entertainment.

“It has been a thrill interviewing everyone from prime ministers to Hollywood superstars,” Rowland said.

“On what other program can you switch from presenting hard news to diving into a chilli-eating competition or dancing the Nutbush (badly)?”

Rowland first joined the ABC in 1987. He was a political reporter in Canberra for five years, spent four years as the ABC’s Washington correspondent and had stints as a business reporter, Lateline economics correspondent and state political reporter in NSW and Victoria.

In his onscreen farewell, he paid tribute to the News Breakfast team and the show’s viewers.

A statement from the ABC said Rowland would remain at the ABC “to focus on exciting future projects in mid-2025”.

“I’ll be taking a long break to catch up on sleep and unhook myself from the relentless news cycle for a little while,” he said.

Rowland’s news completes a trifecta of high-profile departures at the show, with Lisa Millar and Tony Armstrong leaving earlier this year. Journalist Bridget Brennan replaced Millar in August.

Brennan and newsreader Emma Rebellato will anchor the program throughout the second half of December. ABC is yet to announce the fill-in hosts for January.

In September, Rowland hinted at his plans when speaking to fellow ABC alumna and former News Breakfast co-host Virginia Trioli on her podcast You Don’t Know Me, saying he was looking for a “less intense” role.

“The toll it takes gets more pronounced every year – the hours, the horrible stories we have to cover as journalists presenting a news program,” he said. “I’m much closer to the end than I am to the beginning in doing this show and doing this intense news presenting work.”

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