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Paul Kennedy departs News Breakfast

Tony Armstrong to become new Sports presenter on ABC breakfast show.

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Paul Kennedy is departing News Breakfast after 13 years in the role to become a senior sports reporter across all ABC News programs and platforms.

He will be replaced by Tony Armstrong.

“PK” has been with News Breakfast since its inception in 2008 on ABC2.

“I’ve loved working on live TV for 13 years,” Kennedy says. “I remember being on the couch for that first show – we had no audience and I had no idea what I was getting into. We started talking to the camera and the audience grew and I felt like we grew with it.

“The new role is really exciting. I’ll be finding and telling stories about sport for all the ABC’s platforms, including 7.30 and ABC Sport online. As usual, my storytelling will have a strong focus on Australian communities.”

Tony Armstrong, a Barranbinya man, joined the ABC a year ago after a playing career with the Adelaide Crows, Sydney Swans and Collingwood. After filling in for PK for most of this year he now takes up a permanent spot alongside Lisa Millar, Michael Rowland, Nate Byrne and Madeleine Morris.

“Firstly, a huge congratulations to PK for the amazing job he did in the role,” Armstrong says. “He’s unreal at what he does but even better as a person. He took me under his wing from the second I walked into the place.

“I’m really excited about officially starting with the News Breakfast team and pumped to continue getting to know them and our valued audience better.

“I don’t take it lightly when it comes to the new role. I understand the importance of having representation for my people on screens. I love that I’m part of that – and I love that by giving me the opportunity the ABC is part of that too.”

Lisa Millar said, “Paul brought not only his expertise to the role as sports presenter but an incredible dedication to causes close to his heart. He’s a virtuoso interviewer, a wizard of wit and his knowledge of all things ’80s is unsurpassed. He leaves an enormous legacy.”

Michael Rowland added, “With Paul it’s never just about which team won and by how many points. He brings true substance and is a fierce champion of women in sport.

“Tony has already made quite an impression on the team and our viewers. He has an MCG-sized personality and wisdom beyond his years. He’s a tremendous addition to the program.”

3 Responses

  1. The ABC should be careful as they may lose Tony to a commercial channel, he has far too much charisma to be seen solely on the ABC or The Project.

  2. I always zone out with the sports section of any news program but still, PK has always been a warm and sincere member of the ABC Breakfast family. Paul is a really good fit, too and has settled in very comfortably.

  3. Sad to see PK go. He’s a great journo and has done a lot for the promotion of women’s sport in particular. That said, Tony Armstrong has been really good, so it’s great he’s got the gig full-time now.

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