That’s what I was saying. It’s hard to gauge this time. Usually it’s so obvious when someone’s been let go but not this one.
I wonder if we might see Dr Chris as the replacement.
2 Likes
Must admit, not a name that instantly came to mind for me.
The news of Matt Doran’s departure from Weekend Sunrise this morning came as a shock to many, catching viewers and colleagues off guard.
However, industry rumours are already swirling about potential replacements, with one name reportedly at the top of the list—Matt Burke.
Currently wrapping up his tenure as Sydney’s sports presenter for 10 News First at the end of the year after his contract wasn’t renewed, Burke’s potential move to Weekend Sunrise is generating plenty of industry chatter.
3 Likes
I can’t imagine it will be easy finding a replacement. The problem is, highly paid talent like Dr Chris and Larry might not want to work on Saturday and Sunday mornings and would prefer to have weekends to themselves.
Wow, what a shock, of all the potential announcements, such (what I thought was a) safe team…
I feel Matty deserves better, wonder if Today/Weekend Today might be interested, notwithstanding contract stipulations, his partner also works there. Feel Seven have treated him poorly, Shirvington and Adele fallout to name a couple.
I feel like this was on Matt’s own terms. They’re #1 on weekends, I doubt they’d be cutting costs in this scenario.
16 Likes
Not many people leave TV on their own terms. Even if Matt wasn’t entirely pushed, many times it is a mutual decision that is aggravated by the network.
Seeing how upset Matt was in the farewell announcement, Seven not renewing contracts + wide-spread cost cutting around the network, and Matt’s issues over the last few years that resulted in many absences, makes me think they are happy to start fresh on the weekends.
1 Like
Was it really that bad?
He’s been there basically all year this year.
3 Likes
Whether Matt is leaving on his own terms or as part of a cost-cutting move remains unclear. Will we ever know the full story? It’s anyone’s guess, and for now, it’s all just speculation.
What we do know is that he is leaving the program, and a new co-host will join in the new year. As for who that might be, it’s still up in the air. It could be someone already within the Sunrise family, or it could be a surprise choice from outside the usual circle.
1 Like
There’s nothing to suggest it is cost cutting.
2 Likes
That’s not entirely true.
There is the article above from a few months ago saying his position was being looked at. Then a few months late he announces his departure.
That’s an almighty coincidence.
Almighty? It’s speculation at best.
Also included in that article is Sam Armytage likely to renew her contract to host Farmer, look how that turned out.
If you make up enough stories, there’s bound to be some coincidences with inevitable turnover and changes etc.
Word is Matt’s leaving on his own terms.
2 Likes
Speculation that turned out to be correct.
I don’t think you can rule either option out.
I’m just glad we’re not overanalysing this or anything
5 Likes
Matt announced his own departure though… basically giving a 5 minute monologue. Usually if it were cost cutting and contract not getting renewed then the story would be quite different.
5 Likes
That doesn’t mean anything. Mel Doyle gave a 5 minute monologue of her own when she was moved from Sunrise to the 4pm & 7pm news.
Even when talent is moved on, they will still often get the opportunity to say goodbye on-air, dress it up as a departure on their own terms etc., before leaving the program in say 1-2 weeks time.
1 Like
100%, plus if his contract wasn’t renewed or he was let go I doubt he would’ve mentioned he is going back to crime and investigative reporting - sounds like we could expect him to pop up on spotlight. If he wasn’t then I would’ve imagined he would say he and the network are parting ways and he is looking at new opportunities, etc.
She didn’t leave the network after Sunrise - she was offered a new contract or a new role - she wasn’t told “right you’re contract is up so goodbye”
You’ve contradicted yourself in the one post.
You say that Matt is staying on at Seven for other opportunities and then go on to say that Mel did the exact same thing - leave Sunrise for other opportunities within Seven.
So how is this any different? In both cases, Mel and Matt have left Sunrise and the door is open for Matt to do the odd-crime doco here and there.
You have implied that Mel was “moved off” - if it wasn’t her choice why would she have been given a 5 minute speech + all of those prime time roles she got? I am not contradicting myself.
I think it’s fairly common knowledge that Mel was moved off Sunrise so they could put Sam Armytage into the role. Many reports and articles online state this. To keep Mel happy, they moved her to 4pm & 7pm bulletins.
Because there was no behavioural/disciplinary issue that resulted in her leaving Sunrise, similarly with Matt Doran, then bosses would be happy for her to have a farewell speech on-air to generate publicity ahead of her new roles. If she was suddenly removed without explanation it would be a bad look.
1 Like