Sunrise (TV program)

Infobox Television
show_name = Sunrise


caption = "Sunrise" Intertitle
format = Breakfast News Program
picture_format = 576i (SDTV),
1080i (HDTV)
runtime = 180 minutes
presenter = Monday - Friday
Co-hosts
Melissa Doyle
David Koch
News
Natalie Barr
Sport
Mark Beretta
Weather
Fifi Box from 2009
Sunday
Co-hosts
Samantha Armytage
Andrew O'Keefe
News
Sharyn Ghidella
Sport/Weather
Simon Reeve
opentheme = (Reach Up for The) Sunrise
country = Australia
network = Seven Network
first_aired = January 17 1991
last_aired = present
num_episodes =
website = http://www.yahoo7.com.au/sunrise
tv_com_id = 32998

"Sunrise" is an Australian breakfast television program, broadcast on Channel Seven. It airs at 6am to 9am weekdays.

how history

The history of "Sunrise" can be traced back to at least 17 January 1991 when "11AM" newsreader Darren McDonald began presenting an early morning "Seven News - Sunrise Edition" bulletin prior to hostilities breaking out during the Gulf War. [ [http://www.freewebtown.com/tvaustralia/seven_downloads/index.htm TV Australia ] ]

In 1996, Seven introduced a one hour weekday bulletin called "Sunrise News", later renamed "Sunrise". Seven recruited Chris Bath from NBN Television to present the bulletin alongside Peter Ford. [cite news
first = James | last = Cockington
title = Breakfast TV
date = 1996-05-06
work = Sydney Morning Herald
page = 4] Ford moved to other presenting roles in 1996, and was replaced by finance editor David Koch. In 1997, Chris Bath was transferred to Seven's "10.30pm News" and was replaced by Melissa Doyle. Seven launched a Sunday bulletin hosted by Stan Grant, entitled "Sunday Sunrise", in 1997. [cite news
first = Lawrence | last = Money
title = Stanley times three
work = Sunday Age
date = 1997-01-12
page = 14] Weekday "Sunrise" was cancelled in 1999, replaced by children's program "The Big Breakfast". [cite news
title = Wake up with bright sparks
work = Adelaide Advertiser
date = 1999-07-28
page = 49] Seven maintained half-hourly news updates during "The Big Breakfast", and their Sunday bulletin was not affected by the axing.

During the Sydney 2000 Olympics Andrew Daddo and Johanna Griggs presented "Olympic Sunrise" from a leased apartment near Lavender Bay in Sydney which provided the Harbour Bridge and Opera House as stunning waterside backdrops.

In 2000, the program was replaced by a new version of "Sunrise", hosted by Georgie Gardner and Mark Beretta, and music video program "AMV".

Other temporary "Sunrise" hosts up until this time include Anne Fulwood who was filling in for Georgie Gardner at the time of the program's end, Leigh Hatcher (now host of breakfast bulletin First Edition on Sky News Australia) and Nick McArdle previous (weekend sport reader, "Seven News" Sydney).

In March 2002, Seven revamped their breakfast television schedule with "Seven Early News" at 6:00 a.m., hosted by Chris Reason (and only lasted around one week), and a new version of "Sunrise" from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., hosted by Reason and Melissa Doyle. Sunrise from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. began in February the same year. David Koch was brought in to present the finance reports. In October of that year, Reason discovered he had another cancerous tumour behind his kidney and had to quit. Four years earlier he had undergone treatment for another growth.

Koch was appointed temporary presenter, a position made permanent. Sunrise was yet again revamped soon after Koch's appointment, focusing less on hard news and became more family friendly. The show, along with its rival "The Today Show" on Nine, have become more tabloid focused. This has boosted ratings by moving people away from morning radio and the newspaper to the TVFact|date=October 2008.

In 2003, the show began to pick up ratings, and appointed Natalie Barr to present the news updates, followed by the appointment of former Network Ten journalist Grant Denyer to present weather reports, then the appointment of Mark Beretta, who was brought in to present sports updates. On August 30, 2004, "Sunrise", "Seven News Sydney", "Seven Morning News", and "Weekend Sunrise" moved from their studios in Epping to the new Seven News centre at Martin Place. On 29 January 2007 "Sunrise" had a complete makeover with changes to the set and on-screen graphics. Due to continued viewer feedback, the "Sunrise" set changed again on 10 June 2007, Specifically, the new set includes more of the city into its shots by the installation of smart glass. This glass, similar to that on the new Boeing 787 allows for the transparency of the glass to be adjusted, ranging from clear, to partially transparent to completely opaque, showing as a solid blue. These changes have proved useful in shielding viewers from the actions of some passers by, notably, cast members of the ABC show "The Chaser's War on Everything". The set was also modified so "The Morning Show"'s set could fit into the Martin Place current affairs studio.

pecial editions

Occasionally, Sunrise may air a special Saturday edition. Special editions that have aired on Saturdays since 2003 included:
*March 22, 2003 - Kochie and Mel hosted the special edition of Sunrise covering the latest on the Iraq war as it happened. This also saw the rise of Natalie Barr as newsreader.
*November 24, 2007 (as Weekend Sunrise) - A special edition hosted by Andrew O'Keefe and Samantha Armytage covering the final day of the 2007 election campaign. Talitha Cummins read the news, whilst Kylie Gillies presented the sport.

Weekend Sunrise

In 2005 the Seven Network replaced its struggling Sunday morning program "Sunday Sunrise" with a program called "Weekend Sunrise" which is an hour long (8am - 9am) program with an identical format to Sunrise. The program has been successful and various critiques have called for the program to be lengthened to two hours (7am - 9am) and extended to Saturday mornings as well as Sunday. In 2006, "Weekend Sunrise" has increased from an hour to a two hour show, running every Sunday from 7.30am till 10am. When "Sportsworld" returned for the football season "Weekend Sunrise" settled into a 90 minute format; 8am - 9.30am but after "Sportsworld"'s series concluded, the show returned to a two hour show. Andrew O'Keefe initially temporarily replaced host Chris Reason in 2006, but after improved ratings he was given the hosting position permanently. Weekend Sunrise is currently hosted by Andrew O'Keefe and Samantha Armytage. In February 2008, Weekend Sunrise announced that they will start at 7.30am instead of former time of 8am to coincide with the Nine Network's Sunday program. The show will still continue to 10am as per normal.

Format

Like most other breakfast television shows, "Sunrise" blends a mixture of news every thirty minutes, interviews and light-hearted feature pieces into three hours each morning. Often they will go out and present the show from other locations, such as Hawaii, Las Vegas, Athens and Disneyland and more recently Melbourne for their Commonwealth Games specials, Beaconsfield in Tasmania and Dreamworld on the Gold Coast. A major feature of the show is that the viewer can send in their responses to stories via email, SMS or phone. Viewers can also bring up issues they want reviewed or investigated and it is recorded on the ROSwall (Responses of Sunrisers).

News and traffic

Local news updates, following the national news updates at 6am, 7am, and 8am were launched on the 28 May 2007, offering viewers in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, and Perth news specific to their city. Prior to this, local weather and capital city traffic updates had already been inserted into the program. These were removed in June 2008, following the commencement of the Seven News early news bulletin, due to logistical reasons.

Traffic reports are shown on the half hour during the show, and are presented in some cities from a local helicopter.

Musical guests

A number of musical guests have appeared on "Sunrise" and performed live on the show. Like the rest of the studio, their stage area gives people on the street a chance to view the performances. Occasionally, musical guests perform 'on the plaza', on a temporary stage erected in Martin Place. Musical performances normally take place at 7:50am and 8:50am, with most guests playing two songs.

Musical guests who have appeared on "Sunrise" in 2007/2008 include:
The Wiggles, Hinder, Take That, Keith Urban, Joss Stone, Eskimo Joe, Sneaky Sound System, Thirsty Merc, Missy Higgins, Josh Groban, Human Nature, Young Divas, Grinspoon, Avril Lavigne, Patrizio Buanne, Mika, Small Mercies, The Androids, Michael Buble, Maroon 5, Crowded house, Silverchair, Paul Kelly, Colbie Caillat, Bjorn Again, Gym Class Heroes, Editors, Jose Gonzalez, Josh Pyke, Daddy Cool, Something for Kate, The Whitlams with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, The Cat Empire, Rogue Traders, Kelly Clarkson, The Last Goodnight, Ben Lee, Anthony Callea, Delta Goodrem, David Campbell, Kate Miller-Heidke, Tina Arena, Hi-5, Operator Please, Newton Faulkner, Kelly Rowland and Guy Sebastian.

Presenters

Previous presenters of Weekend Sunrise include co-hosts Chris Reason and Lisa Wilkinson. Kylie Gillies was the original sports presenter until she moved to "The Morning Show" and Talitha Cummins read the news from 2007 until July 2008.

Controversies

In 2003 an interview aired live with Sue Butler from the Macquarie Dictionary on the topic of swearing and what was acceptable.

:Sue Butler: Today's taboos are all about labels that you use for people. So that the sentence, "you are a" is practically a no no. You cannot use...:David Koch: Even if you use boofhead.:Sue Butler: Even if you use boofhead because you're putting it in the same context as things which are clearly rude. You know: "You are a fuckwit." Well, obviously we know that's bad.

Doyle and Koch immediately ended the interview and apologised afterwards. This did not prevent angry viewers writing and emailing in complaints over the interview. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s906766.htm "Nincompoops at Sunrise"] , "Media Watch", July 21 2003]

In 2006, a number of people including "Sunrise" presenters David Koch and Melissa Doyle, newsreader Natalie Barr, executive producer Adam Boland and Melbourne newsreader Jennifer Keyte and former "Today Tonight" host Naomi Robson faced court convictions over a story run in 2004 relating to a 14-year old boy who "divorced" his mother. Under the Victorian Children and Young Persons Act, it is prohibited to publish the identity of a child involved in Children's Court proceedings. While the "Sunrise" cast and crew were cleared of any wrongdoing the Seven Network itself was ultimately held responsible. [ [http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,19174482%255E2862,00.html "Fines for divorce story"] , "Herald Sun", May 18 2006]

Upon the rescue of trapped miners Brant Webb and Todd Russell in the aftermath of the Beaconsfield mine collapse, David Koch was invited into an ambulance. This led to rival Channel Nine and "The Today Show" labelling him an "ambulance chaser". [ [http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s1655714.htm "The Tapestry of Seven v Nine"] , "Media Watch", June 5 2006]

On 4 December 2006, "Sunrise" host David Koch read the joke of the day, which received public outcry. The "Sunrise" website quoting:

Kochie's joke of the day is being rested today after a controversial one yesterday. He got in a little strife from his big bosses.

We're currently deciding whether to keep Kochie's joke. What do you think?

The joke went along the lines of:

John Howard went skiing and his bodyguard saw 'John Howard is a Dork' peed into the snow...Johnny went off and told his guard to get a sample of it and find out who did it at all costs...The guard returned a day later and said we have good and bad news...Johnny asked what the good news was, and the guard retorted that it was Kim Beazley's urine...Johnny says right, he's stuffed now - throw the book at him...What's the bad news? The guard grins and says it was in Janette's handwriting.

In April 2007, reports surfaced that the show was lobbying Vietnamese authorities to hold an ANZAC Day dawn service early so it could be broadcast live on television in Australia. [ [http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21521941-662,00.html "Seven, Rudd deny Anzac Dawn fake broadcast report"] , "Herald Sun", April 8 2007] Koch denied on-air that any such lobbying had occurred. His claim was proved false upon the release of email communications from the office of then opposition leader Kevin Rudd. After considerable political fallout over the alleged request, opposition leader Kevin Rudd and Liberal minister Joe Hockey decided to end their regular weekly appearances on the program. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/sun-sets-on-sunrise-rivalry/2007/04/16/1176575723592.html Sun sets on Sunrise rivalry] , "The Age", 16 April 2007.]

On the March 18, 2008 episode Koch and Doyle were ambushed by a group of protesters chanting and carrying placards that claimed "Channel 7 doesn't pay", a reference to controversy surrounding the reported non-payment of winnings to "National Bingo Night" audience members and home viewers. [http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23395796-2,00.html Kochie blames Nine for Sunrise ambush] ] The group, posing as fans of guest Keith Urban, were driven away by security. [ [http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/03/channel-seven-doesnt-pay.html "Channel Seven doesn't pay!"] ] Koch later blamed the incident on the Nine Network's "A Current Affair", a theory that was lent credence when the same protesters appeared on that night's episode of the program. [ [http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/03/alls-fair-in-ambush-journalism-and.html All's fair in ambush journalism and dodgy game shows?] ] Both Koch and co-host Melissa Doyle promised to look into their allegations, but later simply read a statement from the network.

On September 26, 2008, Sunrise were broadcasting live from Melbourne when, at 7:50am, US singer Lady GaGa was due to perform. When the time came though, there was no one on stage, and Mel said that there had been technical difficulties in getting Lady GaGa on stage. The show went to an ad break, and broadcast the performance reportedly recorded the day before. The Sunrise crew were forced to apologize the following Monday, and took the live performances policy hardFact|date=October 2008.

Broadcasting

Because Australia has more than one time zone, "Sunrise" is not broadcast live to all of Australia, it is instead broadcast delayed. New South Wales (including ACT), Victoria, Tasmania have "Sunrise" broadcast live all year round, Queensland has "Sunrise" broadcast live in wintertime, but during Daylight Saving Time in Sydney has the program delayed by one hour. The Northern Territory has "Sunrise" delayed 30 minutes during winter and 1 hour and 30 minutes during Daylight Savings in Sydney. South Australia has it delayed by 30 minutes all year around, and Western Australia has it delayed by 2 hours all year round.

Occasionally, broadcasts of Sunrise are altered during special circumstances. On the morning of March 20 2006 when Sunrise is normally on a 1 hour delay in to Queensland, Sunrise was broadcast live in order to provide immediate and up-to-date information on Tropical Cyclone Larry to local residents. The show continued to be broadcast until 10am Sydney time only in to Queensland to continue these updates and prevent scheduling problems.

During 2008's World Youth Day in Sydney, Sunrise was extended on Thursday, July 17 and Monday, July 21 to cover the Pope's morning mass and the departure of the Pope respectively. Both of those editions ended at 9:30am with the Morning Show picking off the rest of the coverage.

Theme song

Sunrise uses Duran Duran's "(Reach Up for the) Sunrise" as its theme song. Formerly, it had used a more traditional morning news theme before switching to the song. In the past it has also used the Seven News theme which was based on the John Williams score 'The Mission'.

ee also

* Journalism in Australia
* List of Australian television series

References

External links

* [http://yahoo7.com.au/sunrise/ "Sunrise" website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/sunrise "Sunrise" on Youtube]
*