★★★★★ 0/5

Matt Shirvington joins as new Sunrise co-host

"TV's worst kept secret" confirmed with Matt Shirvington as David Koch's successor on Sunrise.

22
Leave a comment

Matt Shirvington has been confirmed as the new co-host of Sunrise.

TV’s worst kept secret was confirmed live on air this morning with Kochie cheekily referring to him as “the full package.”

Matt Shirvington said: “I’m so excited but also humbled by the opportunity to co-host such an important show to so many Australians. It’s a privilege to follow on from Kochie. He leaves behind a legacy of honesty, humility and a whole lot of fun, and I can’t wait to continue adding to that.

“A big thank you to the Seven executive team, in particular James Warburton and Craig McPherson, for backing me to do this. Sunrise is a tight-knit team of talented and passionate people who work ridiculously hard – none more so than Sarah Stinson and Sean Power. I admire you all and won’t let you down.

“This is a huge life shift for me that will take some juggling at home, and something I couldn’t have done without the loving support of Jess and our kids,” he said.

“To my new on-air family, particularly Nat, thanks for making me feel so welcome right from the start. Brekky Central, my new home. I like the sound of that!”

David Koch announced his departure a week ago, after 21 years with the show.

Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Matt to his new role co-hosting Sunrise with Nat. Matt has become an invaluable member of the Seven team since he joined us three years ago. He is the consummate professional, all about the entire team – just like Kochie – and brilliant at his job.

“Of course, Matt has big shoes to fill but we have already seen viewers welcome him with open arms during his time on the show.”

Seven Network Director of News and Public Affairs, Craig McPherson, said: “Matt is an elite performer in everything he does. Very few work as hard in preparing and being ready when the camera rolls.

“He cares about what he does, cares about those he works with, and above all, cares about giving his best to the audience. He’s the perfect fit alongside Nat and the Sunrise team.”

Seven’s Director of Morning Television, Sarah Stinson, said: “The appointment of Matt represents an exciting new chapter for Sunrise.

“Dedicated, talented, warm and dependable, he is more than ready to permanently join Nat and the team each morning as Australians start their day.”

Sunrise co-host, Natalie Barr, said: “Shirvo is an iconic Aussie and an all-round great guy. I can’t think of anyone better to join us on the Sunrise couch.

“We’ve been working together for a couple of years now and I can tell you he’s interested in people, he really cares, he’s a hands-on dad and husband and he talks almost as much as I do, so we get along really well!”

David Koch said: “Shirvo has been part of the Sunrise family and filling in for me for the last 18 months. He is the perfect fit to shift into my chair on a permanent basis.

“A good bloke with solid values, he will do a terrific job and I wish him great success.”

Shirvington joined Seven in 2020 after a decade with Foxtel. He will co-host his first edition of Sunrise with Natalie Barr next Monday, 12 June.

David Koch will be farewelled on Sunrise this Friday.

This post updates.

22 Responses

  2. He’s a really great choice. Good on him and honestly look forward to watching when he officially starts. I think it was an easy pick. Him and Nat have chemistry on screen and he is so good at what he does and is very polished. I will say i was kind of expecting Chris Brown to be named since he is moving to Seven but i’m glad he is not the new host. Will be interesting to see how the ratings go too.

  4. No surprises with Matt Shirvington taking over.

    They’ll probably mention his name as Matt in the opening intro, but most would most likely call him Shirvo on air. Just like how many called David as “Kochie” and not as David…

  7. I’ve caught the odd segments from Friday shows he hosts and I’ll be honest I don’t quite see the appeal – seems too vanilla and boring to have the energy in the morning, yet too soft for anything newsy.

    Compared to the other rumoured contenders for the role – Dr Chris would have had energy, Matt Doran would have been newsy.

    I’m just a schmuck on the internet, and I don’t intend anything mean toward Matt.

  9. Rarely do I agree with marketing blurbs, but in this case they’re spot on. Shirvo is one of the nicest and hardest working presenters on the box right now. Consummate professional in all he does and how he approaches his workload. While I don’t care at all for morning tv, those that do will hopefully enjoy Matt and Nat for years to come.

  10. A safe choice. He doesn’t have the strong personality of someone like Karl Stefanovic or Larry Emdur, but then by the same token he’s inoffensive and non polarising. I thought it was funny Sam saying this morning during one of his weather crosses, ‘what’s going on? My phone hasn’t been ringing!’
    I was hoping for Dr Chris Brown..

  12. Was hoping this wasn’t going to be true!! I’ve heard he is absolutely shocking as a presenter for this type of show and cannot do the hard-hitting sort of interviews needed the way Kochie could. It always feels like he’s needing to read off the auto cue. That’s why it should have been Musher and Shirvo kept far away with all his sporting duties that he excels more in. Way to give Today a real shot now with this woeful choice, especially considering he’s still relatively new to the network with not much news experience…

    1. Let’s keep that Aussie spirit alive and shoot someone down before they even start. I’m sure you were an expert the very first time you did something. Kochie was on for 21 years, not 21 minutes. Give the bloke a change for goodness sake !!

      1. Matt has done the Friday shows for a while – so he has mileage on the road and a body of work to judge in his new role.

        And while mitchy1997‘s was too passionate, I agree with his intended message.

    2. So you don’t watch Sunrise yet you comment in a negative way.
      Matt’s filled in for Kochie on many occasions. If you watched you’d know how good he is.

    3. You’ve heard but haven’t seen him on air for yourself? Based on that, he’s not the man for the job? Give the bloke a chance. He hasn’t started yet.

      1. I have seen him on air now and then and I just think he’s better off doing what he currently does and his style doesn’t suit a show like Sunrise. I used to watch Sunrise all the time but less and less now with all the format changes the past few years anyway & the changes with my own morning schedule and certainly with Shirvo who I just never thought is the right fit but I still do keep an eye on it. Besides he’s only been on Seven for what, 3 years and mostly in the sports department. I’d never even heard of him before that, now all of a sudden he gets this prime gig? I understand Kochie was like this but finance is more news centric than sport. If they were going to pick someone from this area, it should have been Beretts he is far more deserving considering how long he has been in the family for. With Sunrise being mostly a news based program, it should have been someone with that sort of background if not someone who has been a part of the family longer term, at least 5 or so years

  13. Congrats Shirvo!!! 🎉🎊🥳 Matt & Nat rhymes. Kochie will be missed. 😭 Hopefully his team Port Power will mark tenth consecutive win Friday evening.

Leave a Reply