Channel Seven boss confirms Sunrise hosts Sam Armytage and David Koch have ‘firm opinions’ and ‘don’t always agree’… after reports on-set tensions were reaching a fever pitch
Sunrise hosts David ‘Kochie’ Koch and Samantha Armytage are known for their awkward arguments and on-air clashes.
And in a surprisingly candid interview, a Channel Seven executive has acknowledged the co-anchors don’t always see eye to eye.
Amid rumours of on-set tensions, Seven’s director of news and current affairs Craig McPherson confirmed this week the pair’s ‘firm opinions’ often put them in opposition.
‘The beauty of the Sunrise ensemble is they’ve got firm opinions’: Channel Seven boss confirms hosts Sam Armytage and David Koch ‘don’t always agree’… after reports on-set tensions were reaching a fever pitch
Kochie been a co-anchor on Sunrise since 2002, while Sam joined the show in 2013.
Mr McPherson told TV Tonight: ‘The beauty of the Sunrise ensemble is they’ve got firm opinions, they’re balanced in their presentation of them.’
He noted that Sam and Kochie’s opposing beliefs make for ‘a healthy debate’ on TV.
Seasoned professionals: Kochie has served as a long-standing anchor on Sunrise since 2002, while Sam joined the popular show in 2013
‘It’s never really got too out of hand for us’: Speaking to TV Tonight on Thursday, Seven’s director of news and current affairs Craig McPherson acknowledged Kochie and Sam don’t always see eye to eye
Each year, there are a last several on-air spats between the Sunrise hosts, which Seven believes creates social media debate and helps boost ratings.
‘It’s understandable [when something said on TV] can suddenly become a bit of an inferno out there… It’s become part of what we experience. It’s never really got too out of hand for us, I don’t believe,’ Mr McPherson added.
Tensions on set of Sunrise were mentioned in a Sun-Herald column on Sunday.
‘Everyone’s back next year, no changes flagged there’: Seven denied rumours that Sam would be leaving the show before her 2021 contract had run its course
The publication also suggested 2021 would be Sam’s last year as a co-anchor.
However, Mr McPherson confirmed to TV Tonight on Thursday that ‘everyone’s back next year, no changes flagged there’.
Sunrise airs weekdays from 5:30am on Seven
Tune inL: Sunrise airs weekdays from 5:30am on Seven