Chris Bath quits Seven
Chris Bath to leave Seven in July after 20 years with the network.
- Published by David Knox
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After 20 years with Seven veteran journalist Chris Bath has announced her resignation, effective at the end of July.
The Seven News and Sunday Night presenter says she is leaving to explore new horizons.
“This has been a very big decision,” Bath said. “I’m very grateful for the past wonderful 20 years at Seven. I want to thank the Network for giving me the chance to enjoy every broadcast journalism experience possible; from reading News to assignments abroad including East Timor, Bali, Gallipoli, Royal weddings and various Olympics, to interviewing pollies on Face to Face, 11am and Sunday Sunrise, to Witness and Sunday Night, to the glorious anarchy of anchoring breaking news events for hours with our first class studio crews, to tangoing to ACDC under a mirror ball on Dancing with the Stars. I’ve loved it all, worked with some amazing people and made lifelong friends at Seven. It has been a tough decision to leave, but years ago I left a great job in regional television because I didn’t want to say “What if?” about life, and I feel with all that experience on board now, the time is right again to explore new horizons.”
Her departure after 20 years has even attracted farewell remarks from the Chairman of Seven West Media, Kerry Stokes.
“After two decades of impeccable work at Seven News and more recently, hosting and reporting for Sunday Night, Chris has established a legion of fans, on both sides of the camera,” he said. “For all of the long days that inevitably turn into long nights, I thank Chris for not once taking the easy way to get the facts that get the story. Chris has always been there to work in the community, especially with schools, and has made trips to Perth to help with Telethon. I’ll miss her sense of humour and on air professionalism. Channel Seven will always have a place for Chris, in the meantime however, I wish her every success for the future”
Network Director of News Rob Raschke added: “Chris has been a world-class anchor for Seven News over the past 20 years. She has covered some of the biggest stories in that time, bringing them to Australian viewers with authority and insight. Her skill covering breaking news has been exceptional, always calm under pressure, making sense of major news stories as they unfolded before her. We thank Chris for her commitment and contribution, and wish her all the best for the future.”
Bath became anchor of Seven’s weeknight news in 2009 following the departure of Ian Ross until early 2014 when she was moved to Friday and Saturday, replaced by Mark Ferguson. Since 2009 she has hosted Sunday Night, initially with Mike Munro and later as sole presenter.
Bath has also been the subject of frequent media tabloid stories speculating on behind the scenes friction but is also well-regarded outside of Seven.
Ironically Melissa Doyle, also the subject of media speculation, has been appointed to Seven News Sydney’s 6pm bulletin on Fridays and Saturdays, plus Sunday Night duties.
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- Tagged with 11AM, Dancing with the Stars, Face to Face, Seven News, Sunday Night, Sunday Sunrise, Telethon, Witness
22 Responses
Good time to leave Sunday Night, but definitely Seven’s loss. Hope she gets a good project next. All the best Chris, you’re the genuine article!
I’d like to see her on Channel 9 either doing the news, today show, 60mins or even filling in for Tracy Grimshaw on A Current Affair.
I very strongly doubt that Chris Bath would ever present A Current Affair, since (as far as I’m aware anyway) Bath reportedly refused to have anything to do with Today Tonight in a Daily Telegraph interview around 15 years ago or thereabouts…
I’ve just popped a bottle to celebrate. Good riddance. Bath had a very cold and inauthentic screen presence. She seemed to be a control freak and very robotic. Watching her on Sunday Night was like revisting Dexter from Perfect Match, minus screen presence.
I would very surprised if Peter Meakin or ch 9 didn’t snap her up. Officially puts 7 news Sydney in a very weak situation but may free up some $$ to poach a big name rival. They need to!
I like Chris Bath, even though we don’t get to see too much of her in the West. Good luck to her!
I love Melissa Doyle and hope the day comes when she is the 6pm news anchor on a full time basis.
It’s interesting talking about both of these women because in 2006 it was widely reported that Chris Bath declined the role of co-host on Nine’s Today show.
I wish Chris Bath all the very best with her future endeavours. Being gainfully employed by the same organisation for two decades is a massive achievement.
Her Hubby Jim Wilson does some work on Sky News wonder if she will get pcked up by them which would be a good get for Sky News on foxtel.
By far Seven’s best newsreader. She was made the fall girl for declining ratings when it was the product not the presenter that was the probably. The ratings have tanked under Ferguson. Sunight Night has turned into a weekly version of Today Tonight. She will be snapped up in no time. A class act. Go well Bathie.
Sad to see her leave 7 after 20 years.
Aww. Big shock. Didn’t see this one coming. Seriously going to miss her. She is one of the good ones. Good luck to her and i wish her all the best in whatever she does in the future. I’m sure she will succeed, whatever she decides to do. 🙂
Gonna miss Bathy. Serious when required and playful when appropriate. And another product from Mitchell College at Bathurst.
The biggest problem with Chris was that with News and Current affairs, her personality could not shine through. When she did Dancing with The Stars she was so funny. Hope she can pop up now and then on The Project so we can see more of here awesome personality.
She always gave 100% but has unfortunately fallen victim to the “has left to pursue other interests” Seven media release. We’ll miss you Chris!
What else can 7 expect when her key show, Sunday Night, is constantly shunted around the schedule to make way for reality shows (or it doesn’t even air at all). All the best for her.
To quote from another commentator: Talk about Gold Class spin from Seven!
She’s not seriously considering 10Fox, is she?
I didn’t see that one coming. Maybe Ten should poach her for their 5 o’clock news. Whether it is the weekend or Brisbane/Adelaide/Perth news.
What an odd suggestion. Why would she be interested in leaving a well-paying job reading the news on 7 to essentially the same job with less pay but hardly anyone watching?
True. The more usual path for a newsreader who leaves on their own accord (not poached or under a cloud) is to end up on one of the Sky News services in AU/NZ/Asia…
Regardless, good luck to Chris whatever she does. She’s always come across as one of the most professional newsreaders in the country.
So long, Chris. You were a great newsreader.
What a pity some others (e.g. Samantha Armytage, Sandra Sully) don’t do likewise!
Considering she went from weekday anchor to weekends it was somewhat clear her stocks at Seven were on the way down, not up.
I notice no mention of her hosting of short lived 2006 series You’ve Got The Job in her list of highlights!