Oliver Driver will co-host TV3's 'Sunrise', it has been announced. Photo / Supplied
Oliver Driver will co-host TV3's 'Sunrise', it has been announced. Photo / Supplied
KEY POINTS:
Oliver Driver will replace James Coleman as co-host on TV3's early morning news show Sunrise, it has been announced.
Driver - best known for his acting, directing and presenting credits - will co-present the show alongside Carly Flynn from Monday, October 6.
In a statement Driver says, "TV3have offered me a challenge I couldn't resist and after years of hassling mainstream news it looks like it's time to put my money where my mouth is.
"I'm not sure if I or TV3 really know what we're letting ourselves in for but it's too late to back out now so I'll see you on Monday morning."
Mark Jennings, TV3's director of news and current affairs, says he hopes the appointment of Driver will bring a considerable talent onto our screens in the morning.
"Oliver has shown that he has a very good grasp of the news agenda and is skilled at drawing out fresh information in interviews.
"He also has a wide knowledge of other areas of New Zealand life and most essentially, a wicked sense of humour."
Coleman made a surprise exit from the series last week, amid questions about the future shape of the troubled show.
In a written statement, the former radio host said he felt it was "an appropriate time to pursue some exciting new opportunities that have arisen within MediaWorks, both in radio and television".
Last month, media commentator Martin Gilman said ratings were "almost getting rigor mortis" at Sunrise - having hovered around the 20,000-30,000 mark for much of the show's existence.
Rival breakfast show, TV One's Breakfast, regularly draws in around 140,000 viewers a day.
