David Koch reveals why his famous nickname almost got him the sack during the early days of Sunrise
He’s without a doubt Australia’s most successful breakfast TV host.
And now David ‘Kochie’ Koch has revealed his famous nickname almost got him the sack in the early days of Channel Seven’s Sunrise.
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday, the 64-year-old TV veteran recalled that a former boss wanted him off the breakfast show because he ‘believed nicknames had no place on a news program’.
Almost got the boot! On Thursday, David ‘Kochie’ Koch revealed why his famous nickname almost got him the sack during the early days of Sunrise
The publication reported that it was the network’s owner, Kerry Stokes, who saved him from being booted off the show.
Sunrise has gone on to become a ratings winner throughout Kochie’s tenure on the show, consistently beating rival Today on Channel Nine.
Since starting out as a fill-in host in 2002, Kochie has become one of the highest-paid stars at Channel Seven.
Earning the big bucks: Since starting out in 2002, Kochie has become one of the highest-paid stars at Seven, earning $1million a year while his co-host Samantha Armytage (left) is said to earn $500,000
Last month, WHO magazine reported that he earns $1million a year for working four days a week on screen (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), while his co-host Samantha Armytage is said to earn $500,000.
Despite the big paycheck, the TV presenter told the Sydney Morning Herald that he never ‘depended on TV for a living because even though you get paid well, it’s high-risk’.
He said: ‘Seven hate me saying this but TV really is a bullsh** job compared to what charity workers and emergency services do.’
Hit! Sunrise has gone on to become a ratings winner throughout Kochie’s tenure on the show for almost two decades, consistently beating rival Today on Channel Nine (Pictured: Kochie with co-hosts Natalie Barr, Samantha and Mark Beretta)
Besides his work on TV, Kochie devotes some of his time to finance work with Palamedia, Pinstripe Media and his small business TV show Business Builders.
Kochie is also a loving husband to his wife of 41 years, Libby, and a doting father to his four grown-up children, and grandfather to six.
When asked about whether he has any plans to slow down, he said: ‘I still love this job.’
Family man: Kochie is also a loving husband to his wife of 41 years, Libby (pictured), and a doting father to his four grown up children, and grandfather to six