David Koch quits Sunrise: Mystery surrounds ‘sudden’ exit after re-signing his contract

David Koch’s ‘sudden’ tearful departure from the Channel Seven breakfast show after two decades has left viewers in shock.

Just months after the iconic media personality, 67, re-signed with the network, fans were sure Kochie would grace their televisions for “two more years.”

But it seems there’s more to the TV presenter’s two-year deal with big boss Kerry Stokes, after he revealed he’s moving away from the cameras, but not Seven.

Appearing on Melbourne’s 3AW on Monday, Kochie said: “I wanted to go at the end of last year and the team asked if I could stay for another six months.”

He went on to say that after being in front of the cameras for six months, he was signed to “do big financial things” with Network Seven for the remaining 18 months of his contract.

Nevertheless, viewers were shocked by his departure as they flooded online forums to speculate about what happened.

‘Wow. This happened much sooner than I thought. There is definitely more to it as he re-signed with Sunrise not too long ago,” one wrote.

Another said, ‘Leaving next Friday? Wow, that was fast. Thought they’d build up his goodbye a bit more.’

They added, “He has been on Sunrise for almost 21 years. So long as host in Australia. He’s seen the TV industry change so much.’

Just months after the iconic media personality, 67, re-signed with the network, fans were certain Kochie would grace their televisions for ‘two more years’

Others noted that the odd timing of Kochie’s departure from the top-rated breakfast show coincided with the studio’s move.

‘Are you leaving next Friday – due to the move to Eveleigh?’ they said.

Sunrise’s 19-year history of broadcasting from Sydney’s iconic Martin Place in Sydney CBD ended earlier this year.

Kochie, Natalie Barr and everyone else who worked for Channel Seven in town would soon join the rest of their colleagues at Eveleigh in Redfern.

It looks like Kochie will still make that move with his team, but will instead take on a different role for the rest of his re-signed contract.

But it seems there’s something going on behind the scenes, as the breakfast host’s emotional farewell is shrouded in mystery, with this Friday his last day on set.

As late as October, the longtime host pledged to stay with Seven for at least another two years after signing a contract extension.

After negotiating “greater flexibility” in his schedule, it appeared he was locked in until the end of 2024, signing the deal with Seven Network CEO James Warburton.

Warburton was able to convince Kochie to put his retirement plans on hold for another two years, but agreed to draft a contract that will allow the long-serving anchor to “take more breaks from the show as per his requirements,” it reported. The Australian.

This was in addition to Kochie’s already relaxed work schedule, in which he presented Sunrise four days a week and took Fridays off.

Kerry Stokes, the billionaire chairman of the Seven Network, is said to have played a “critical role” in Kochie’s contract renegotiations.

As recently as October, the longtime host pledged to stay with Sunrise for at least another two years after signing a contract extension. Pictured with co-host Natalie Barr

After negotiating “greater flexibility” in his schedule, it appeared he was locked in until the end of 2024, signing the deal with Seven Network CEO James Warburton. Pictured at the 2019 Logie Awards with Samantha Armytage, Natalie Barr and Mark Beretta

Having gained more “flexibility” with his schedule, Kochie hoped to spend more time with his wife Libby and focus on his businesses Ausbiz TV and Pinstripe Media.

“I’m grateful to James and Kerry Stokes for going about it this way,” Kochie said at the time.

“I had long conversations with both of them and they asked me if there was a way to come up with a plan that would give you the flexibility you want, and give you a connection to the network and a continued focus on Sunrise. I love it dearly. So I’m lucky to have the best of all worlds.’

He signed the deal in October during a meeting with Seven Network CEO James Warburton, expressing his interest in retiring

The news of Kochie’s two-year contract extension came after sources told Daily Mail Australia he was giving serious thought to retirement, but the prospect of covering King Charles’s coronation at Westminster Abbey in May.

It was said that seven bosses were understandably keen on Kochie staying with Sunrise, which he began hosting in 2002 as a substitute.

Since then, the show has pretty much slaughtered Nine rival Today, every viewing year since 2004 and every week since 2018 in the metro market of five cities.

Kochie (pictured with former host Mel Doyle) has helped Sunrise slaughter Nine’s Today show, winning every viewing year since 2004 and every week since 2018 on the Five Cities Market