“It’s a privilege”: David Koch signs for 2 more yrs on Sunrise

David Koch has signed a new contract with Seven to remain with Sunrise for 2 more years, which will take his role to just over 18 years.

“A few of the bosses were happy with me so (I’ve got) another few years to the end of 2020, so I’m delighted with that. It’s a privilege to be here and to be asked to continue doing it,” he told TV Tonight.

“It’s a long time after filling in for 3 months. It’s a beast in my life that has got a bit out of control, but I’m very grateful for it.”

Sunrise will win the year in the Breakfast TV market, in a genre that is frequently under the microscope for on-air and offstage antics. Koch, who wound back his hours to 4 days a week last year, is happy to keep undertaking those early morning starts.

“I love the connection we have with viewers and their passion and the way they take an ownership of the show. Breakfast TV is unlike any other beast on television. It strips you bare as an individual. You can’t pretend to be something you’re not, because you’re on air for so long.

“Everyone thinks they can do Breakfast television but the only people who actually decide whether you can do it or not is the viewers.”

“We turn over our audience at least 6 times during 3.5 hours.”

Ratings performance is another constant area of scrutiny. With numbers down overall in the genre, is Breakfast TV now susceptible to the kind of fragmentation that has been attacking primtime?

“We turn over our audience at least 6 times during 3.5 hours. So the number of people connecting to us everyday is almost 2 million,” Koch insists.

“I think the competition is digital. We live in an era of podcasts, Facebook, Twitter news services, and all the other alternatives where people can get their entertainment and news.”

Yet while most would be content with the demanding routine of Breakfast TV, Koch is known for his other commitments, especially in business and sport.

His Pinstripe Media provides content in small business and personal finance, including Kochie’s Business Builders, returning for its 11th season in February, export show Airport Economists and personal finance website Your Money & Your Life.

“I own digital media assets such as Start Up Daily which is the bible of the start-up and venture capital community.

“Flying Solo is a digital media forum for solo entrepreneurs. It has about 170,000 solo entrepreneurs who are actively engaged on that.

“Business and finance has always been my roots. We produce those media titles and TV shows and we have other major corporates where we do their content for small business customers.”

“I love everything I do so it’s not like work.”

Pinstripe employs around 15 people, including 2 of Koch’s kids, but there are other commitments that make up his busy week.

“After I leave Sunrise I go to Pinstripe Media and work there. Then being President of Port Adelaide Football Club is a real honour as well. That takes up a few hours each week, going to every home game in Adelaide. I’m actively involved in the AFL,” he continues.

“Libby and I are very much involved in a youth centre in Macquarie Fields called the Koch Centre for Youth which is run by Fr. Chris Riley’s Youth Off the Streets. It’s a community centre at a high school for kids who have dropped out of traditional education.

“Libby and I are empty nesters. We have 4 kids who have grown up and we have 5 grandchildren. We love being involved in organisations where we can hopefully make a difference.

“I love everything I do so it’s not like work. I love Sunrise, Pinstripe, my involvement with Port Adelaide, and the Youth Centre is something special.”

“TV is very seductive, but is often very unrealistic to real life.”

He insists that Pinstripe helps to keep him grounded rather than the glamour of television.

“I’m far from living in a bubble. I actually do have a ‘real job’ and deal with real people,” he explains.

“I think that’s a real advantage and keeps me grounded with what goes on out there, in the rest of Australia, rather than the privileged model of TV.

“TV is very seductive, but is often very unrealistic to real life.

“(Pinstripe) keeps you energetic, particularly Start Up Daily, which deals with founders and follows what they are doing in the disruption community, turning incredible ideas into new age businesses.”

So with so many projects and interest, what could possibly possess someone to agree to another 2 years of early morning starts?

“I’m just fascinated with people and what makes them tick. I’m fascinated with average Australians who do extraordinary things. If we can help them do those that’s what we’re all here to do.”

Sunrise airs 5:30am weekdays on Seven.