Michael Rowland: “Kochie’s record is safe”

Yesterday News Breakfast host Michael Rowland announced he was stepping away from the ABC show after 15 years, citing the toll the 3am starts have taken on physical health.

He recently indicated there was also mental fatigue from covering some of the biggest news stories in the country.

But just a year earlier, Rowland told TV Tonight he was keen to smash David Koch’s record of 21 years on Sunrise.

“I’m so lucky to be in this position. I’m loving it. Watch out Kochie I’m coming for your record,” he said.

So what changed?

“I tried and I tried but couldn’t do it,” he has since told TV Tonight. “Kochie’s record is safe, although Karl Stefanovic is on track to smash it in the next year or two. Good luck to him!

“I’m proud of the 15 years I have notched up. Breakfast TV is an unforgiving beast and the hours really started to have an impact over the last few months.

“I leave News Breakfast with a heavy heart, but the time is right for my body and my family.”

He will return to ABC later in 2025 with his final show on Friday December 13.