So this means it’ll be a 90% new team next year.
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Wow… big loss for the programme.
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Big loss but expected for some time. I’d imagine this is where James Glenday is going?
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Completely expected as per all the speculation here recently. Has he given an end date?
EDIT: December 13
Who’s the likely replacement? They might have to go external.
Almost 15 years is a long time on breakfast TV. Interesting that Michael has only given two weeks notice to viewers. I hope he stays at the ABC in some capacity.
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Press release says:
Rowland will return to the ABC to focus on exciting future projects in mid-2025.
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James Glenday would be good, but they might wanna tick some boxes instead.
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More boxes? They have an indigenous host and a presenter in a wheelchair. They’re already doing more than anyone else.
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Either James or Emma Rebellato would do well - both are great presenters, and have a track record of showing up most of the time 
He strike’s me as one who doesn’t want a big fuss being made over it for over a month or so, so I think two weeks would be reasonable to him.
Emma Rebellato is presenting weather this week
Michael says in his Facebook post:
PS: Sorry for the relatively short notice, but I wanted minimal fuss.
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Maybe he planned to leave at the end of this year for a while now and Lisa unexpectedly got in first?
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Michael’s annoucement
ABC:
Michael Rowland to leave ABC News Breakfast
ABC News Breakfast host Michael Rowland has announced he is leaving the program. He will remain at the ABC.
After 15 years on the show, the veteran broadcaster revealed the news this morning, saying he was taking a long break from the screens, but would be back with the ABC later next year.
His is the latest departure from the program, following co-host Lisa Millar, who left in August, and Tony Armstrong, who announced he was leaving in October.
Audiences have a couple of weeks to get their fill of dad jokes, with Rowland revealing Friday, December 13 would be his last day on air.
“I love working on News Breakfast. Every morning is a buzz and it’s by far the best job I’ve had at the ABC,” Rowland said.
“But after 15 years of 3am starts my body is screaming ‘enough!’. The hours have finally caught up with me.”
The News Breakfast host also holds the title of ABC News Network Anchor, and has brought Australians major stories from all sides of the country and the world.
He began his career at the ABC more than 35 years ago, and has co-hosted News Breakfast since 2010.
“It has been a thrill interviewing everyone from prime ministers to Hollywood superstars,” he said.
“On what other program can you switch from presenting hard news to diving into a chilli-eating competition or dancing the Nutbush [badly]?"
After joining the ABC as a news cadet in 1987, Rowland spent five years as a political reporter in Canberra.
He later served as the ABC’s correspondent in Washington, covering the election of Barack Obama and the onset of the global financial crisis.
He also had stints as a business reporter, Lateline economics correspondent and state political reporter in NSW and Victoria.
“I will miss the fabulous Brekky team, but I will miss our viewers even more. I am intensely proud of helping build the News Breakfast audience over the years. Thank you all sincerely for entrusting me with your mornings.”
Bridget Brennan, Rowland’s co-host on News Breakfast, says it’s been an honour and a privilege to work alongside him.
“I’ve been able to watch firsthand his enduring dedication to strong journalism and public service,” she said.
“Australians will miss his presence each and every morning enormously, but I know we all appreciate the incredible effort he has given to News Breakfast for such a long time.”
Rowland has covered major events, including federal and state elections, four US presidential elections, the Black Summer bushfires and floods in NSW and Victoria, the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, and the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
ABC News director Justin Stevens said Rowland had been central to the success of News Breakfast, calling him “a familiar and trusted face for viewers”.
“His ability to traverse serious reporting as well as lighter topics, and do it on live TV for three hours every morning, shows what a hugely talented broadcaster he is,” Stevens said.
“We’ll miss him a lot on the News Brekky couch but we can’t wait to see what he does next for the ABC after a well-deserved rest.”
The ABC said it would announce Rowland’s replacement in due course.
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Yes but that doesn’t negate the need to apply their parameters to every appointment.
It will be James for sure. Just stepped down as Canberra 7pm presenter and he’s been the main male fill in for a while now.
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Michael said this morning that they asked him to stay on until the federal election, but he declined. Certainly not ideal to lose three key presenters in six months. Michael being the stable one, probably will have the greatest impact.
I actually prefer Emma and Isk
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Matt Doran (Channel 7 version from Weekend Sunrise) would be a perfect fit for News Breakfast, if only the show wasn’t based in Melbourne, and it seems he doesn’t want to do early mornings anymore.
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But apart from those huge hurdles, he would be pefect. 
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From the below article, about a year ago there was no indication of him leaving. If anything, quite the exact opposite. The only thing I can see that’s changed in the last year is the ABC chair Kim Williams. Interesting.
22/8/2023
Michael Rowland: “I want to smash Kochie’s record”
“I want to smash Kochie’s record,” Michael Rowland jests. Or is he being serious? Having completed 13 years as host of News Breakfast, there’s ‘only’ another 9 to go to eclipse David Koch’s 21 years at Sunrise, reports TV Tonight.
Rowland is clearly enjoying his role on ABC’s breakfast show alongside Lisa Millar. Maybe he is serious after all.
“I’m feeling probably the fittest I felt in a few years. You have peaks and troughs doing crazy hours, but I love the show. I’ve always told people ‘It’s the best job in broadcast TV.’ Case in point, on the one morning, last July, I got to interview the Prime Minister and Cate Blanchett within an hour or so of each other. What other show, what other outlet as a broadcast journalist offers you that chance? Along with a gazillion other stories on breaking news.
“I’m so lucky to be in this position. I’m loving it. Watch out Kochie, I’m coming for your record.”
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