Sunrise has officially made the move to the Seven Network’s new newsrooms and studios in South Eveleigh.
The first edition of the new-look Sunrise went to air live at 5.30 am this morning, and hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington, newsreader Edwina Bartholomew and sports presenter Mark Beretta are already right at home in their high-tech, purpose-built studios.
The Morning Show’s Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies will also broadcast their first show from South Eveleigh later this morning.
7NEWS, 7NEWS Spotlight, The Latest and 7NEWS.com.au relocated from Martin Place in the Sydney CBD to South Eveleigh in late June.
The arrival of the Sunrise, Weekend Sunrise and The Morning Show teams means that for the first time in more than 40 years, the entire Seven Sydney operation and all broadcast and operational staff (across all departments) are now under one roof.
The brand-new news and public affairs facilities at South Eveleigh cover two expansive floors of Seven’s head office and are five times larger than the previous Martin Place location, with permanent sets for all programs.
James Warburton, Seven West Media managing director and chief executive officer, said: “After many years broadcasting from Martin Place – and 19 years as the #1 breakfast TV show across Australia – the time was right to build a new home for Sunrise and the rest of our market-leading Sydney News and Public Affairs programs.
“They might be in a new studio, but Nat, Matt and the rest of the team will continue to bring all of Australia the best, brightest and most informed breakfast TV program in the country. It’s great to have them all in South Eveleigh.”
Craig McPherson, Seven Network director of news and public affairs, said: “Today makes a landmark day for Seven’s news and public affairs division.
“For many years, we’ve been physically once removed from the rest of the network. Together alone. Not anymore. Sunrise and The Morning Show teams are now ensconced side by side with their 7NEWS colleagues and surrounded by the rest of the network.
“It may sound unremarkable, but for the workforce it has been a remarkable shift. Complimented by state-of-the art studios made for broadcast, what’s been created will set the standard for today and last well into the future,” he said.
Sarah Stinson, Seven Network director of Morning Television, said: “Brekky Central has been an iconic part of Australian TV for two decades but the time has come to move to a new home.
“South Eveleigh allows us to bring world-class technology to breakfast television in a way that will enhance the experience for our much-loved viewers.
“From today, viewers will see a brighter and fresher look, but the heart of our shows will never change. Our teams will continue to bring the best coverage of news, sport, weather, entertainment and so much more – and we’ll continue to have a laugh as only Sunrise and The Morning Show can.”
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Top image: Edwina Bartholomew, Natalie Barr, Matt Shirvington and Mark Beretta. Photos by Scott Ehler