ABC News Breakfast marks 5 years

ABC News Breakfast celebrates 5 years on air next Monday, the very same day Wake Up launches on TEN.

Michael Rowland, Virginia Trioli, Paul Kennedy and Vanessa O’Hanlon, will be joined by former presenters and regular co-host Beverley O’Connor for the anniversary program.

Virginia Trioli said, “When we started News Breakfast with a couple of tin cans and some wire five years ago, it was one of the boldest new ventures the ABC has ever embarked on. Since then, with wonderful support from viewers around the country and internationally, we’ve gone from strength to strength to become an important part of the ABC news day. I’m immensely proud to have been the program’s foundation presenter and to continue with News Breakfast. We’ve even bought a few new tins. And some more wire.”

ABC News Breakfast provides a quality rolling news breakfast program each weekday morning on ABC1 and ABC News 24 from 6am to 9.30am.

Appealing to those who might want a bit more with their breakfast, the program sets itself apart with an informative mix of international and national stories, sport, arts and politics. Broadcast from Melbourne, ABC News Breakfast provides extensive coverage through the ABC’s national and international network of journalists, with comprehensive analysis and coverage of the day’s stories and breaking news.

Michael Rowland said, “Being able to juggle big political interviews with breaking news and lots of laughs in between makes for a perfect start to the day. It’s also been truly satisfying building an audience interested in something more than cash giveaways and cats doing funny things on YouTube. And, regardless of what she says, Virginia really loves my witty jokes.”

“News Breakfast has managed to grow its audience year on year, in a highly competitive morning market,” said the program’s Executive Producer Erin Vincent. “What really sets us apart is our dynamic mix of content. Viewers turn to us for all the day’s big stories and interviews, insightful analysis and some all important comic relief. We deliver up to the minute news, relevant political interviews, the latest in movies and music as well as high profile guests.”

ABC News Breakfast made its debut on Monday, November 3, 2008 on ABC2.

The founding team was Virginia Trioli, Barrie Cassidy and Joe O’Brien as co-hosts, with Canberra political correspondent Ben Worsley, sports presenter Paul Kennedy, and weather presenter Vanessa O’Hanlon.

In 2009, Joe O’Brien became the full-time co-host, with Barrie Cassidy continuing to appear on the program providing political commentary. In August 2009 Melissa Clarke took on the political correspondent role in Canberra.

In May 2010, former ABC North America Correspondent Michael Rowland took over from O’Brien, who moved back to Sydney for a hosting role on ABC News 24.

In July 2010, with the launch of ABC News 24, ABC News Breakfast continued on ABC2 and was simulcast on the new news channel from 6am –9am.

On May 2, 2011 the program permanently moved to ABC1. It is still simulcast on ABC News 24.

In February 2012 the program was extended to 9.30am on both channels and Karina Carvalho filled in for Virginia Trioli. Virginia returned in 2013.

ABC News Breakfast was also the first breakfast news program to be streamed live online at abc.net.au/news.

Breakfast news on the weekends continues, with Weekend Breakfast hosted by Miriam Corowa and Andrew Geoghegan on ABC News 24 at 8.00am.

6am Monday ABC1 and simulcast on ABC News 24.