David Koch (television presenter) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Koch
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David Koch in 2013
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David James Koch
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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| Other names | Kochie, Hooky |
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| Years active | 1980–present |
| Employer | Seven Network |
| Known for | Sunrise (2002–2023) |
| Spouse(s) | Libby Koch |
| Children | 4 |
David James Koch AM, often called "Kochie", is an Australian television presenter and financial journalist. He is most famous for hosting the Seven Network's breakfast show, Sunrise. He was a co-host from 2002 until 2023.
Koch started his career in Adelaide as a financial journalist. He wrote for many different publications before moving to television. Since October 2012, Koch has been the chairman of the Port Adelaide Football Club. This is an Australian Football League (AFL) club.
Contents
Early Life and Training
David James Koch was born in Adelaide, South Australia. He trained to become an accountant.
Career in Finance News
Koch began as a cadet on the business pages of The Australian newspaper. He then joined BRW magazine in the early 1980s. He helped start consumer finance journalism in Australia. He created Personal Investment magazine, becoming the youngest editor at Fairfax Media.
He later launched Personal Investment magazines in New Zealand and the UK. He also produced Britain's first "rich list" for Money Magazine. In 1988, he started Australian Financial Press. This company created Business Magazine, New Accountant, and Money Management magazines.
Koch has provided business and financial commentary for various publications. These include Pacific Magazines, Yahoo Finance, and the "Your Money" section of News Ltd newspapers. He was a director of the NSW Small Business Development Corporation Ltd for eight years. As a former business owner, he often speaks about small business and finance.
Koch has hosted a weekly small business program on the Seven Network. This show is called Kochie's Business Builders. His company, Pinstripe Media, produced it. In 2007, Koch launched Pinstripe Media. This company creates videos and content for marketing. It manages websites like Startup Daily and Flying Solo.
In 2013, Koch launched KBB Digital. This is a digital marketing agency for small businesses. In 2020, he launched ausbiz with Kylie Merritt. This is an Australian streaming platform for business and finance news. In August 2023, Koch became an economic director for Compare the Market Australia.
Television Work
Hosting Sunrise
Koch was a co-host of Seven Network's Sunrise for 21 years. He hosted the breakfast program from 2002 until 2023. He first joined to fill in for Chris Reason. His position then became permanent.
With his original co-host, Melissa Doyle, Sunrise became Australia's top breakfast TV show. In August 2022, the Seven Network announced that Sunrise had won the breakfast TV ratings for 19 years in a row. Koch has warned Sunrise viewers about online scams that falsely use his name and image.
On May 28, 2023, Koch announced he would leave Sunrise. He wanted to spend more time with his family. He also wanted to focus on managing the Port Adelaide Football Club. He was Australia's longest-serving breakfast television host. He broadcast 16,000 hours of live TV over 5,300 shows. His last broadcast was on June 9, 2023. Matt Shirvington took over as co-host on June 5, 2023.
Other TV Shows
Koch also co-hosted Where Are They Now? with Melissa Doyle. He still hosts Kochie's Business Builders for small businesses. This show airs on Sundays on the Seven Network. He has also co-hosted Seven Network's annual Christmas special, Carols in the Domain, eight times between 2014 and 2022.
Awards and Recognition
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Koch was nominated for a silver Logie in 2004 and 2005. This award is for Best TV Presenter. In 2007, Banking and Finance Magazine readers voted him Australia's Best Finance Journalist. The Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia gave him the "Small Business Champion award." This was for his support of Australian small businesses.
Koch was named 2007 Australian Father of the Year. This award was given by the Australian Father's Day Council. In 2024, Koch received the Order of Australia (AM). This honor was for his important work in media as a television presenter and financial journalist.
Parodies and Trust
After Koch published a joke book, it was parodied on The Chaser's War on Everything. He was also often parodied on Comedy Inc.. Reader's Digest listed him among the top 50 Most Trusted Australians.
Port Adelaide Football Club
David Koch was the number one ticket-holder for the Australian Football League team Port Adelaide Football Club starting in 2007. On October 2, 2012, Koch was announced as the club's chairman. He officially started this role in early 2013.
Other Activities
Koch appeared on the Australian soap opera Home and Away in 2007. He also appeared on All Saints in 2004. He played an Elvis impersonator in that show. He was the voice of the News Report in the Australian version of the 2009 DreamWorks film, Monsters vs. Aliens.
In October 2014, Koch launched his "Rescue My Website" competition. This helped three Australian small businesses improve their online presence. He has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice to raise money for charity. He has also walked the Kokoda Track.
Helping Others
Koch supports Youth Off The Streets. He is a patron of their Koch Centre For Youth and Learning in Sydney. This center opened in 2011. He has also been involved with the Channel Seven Perth Telethon. This event raises money for charities like Perth Children's Hospital. He also helps with Melbourne's Good Friday Appeal, which raises money for the Royal Children's Hospital. Koch has participated in 13 Good Friday Appeal fundraisers.
Through a Sunrise campaign, Koch helped influence the government. This led to the creation of the Organ & Tissue Authority. This group oversees Australia's organ transplant system. Koch was chairman of the 'Organ and Tissue Authority Advisory Council'. He resigned on air in May 2015 to protest a government review of organ donation.
