Barr has replaced Sam Armytage, long term host of the show, who stepped down last week.
Barr was previously a new reporter on Sunrise and has worked on the program for 18 years. She is the longest-serving Sunrise employee.
In a statement, she said, “Sunrise has been my work family for 18 years and while I’ve absolutely loved my role as newsreader, I’ve now been given the chance to move half a metre along the desk closer to Kochie and give something new a try.”
“I like to think of it as, same same but different. I can’t wait!”
Co-host David Koch added, “Nat has been there every step of the way as we’ve evolved Sunrise over the past 18 years.”
“Our viewers know Nat is way more than just a newsreader. For years she has always stepped up as a co-host, filling in for Sam and I, and spent much of last year leading our coverage of the COVID pandemic. We all love her wicked sense of humour and no-nonsense approach to life.”
James Warburton, Seven West Media Managing Director and CEO, said, “we have an incredibly strong team at Sunrise and I’m delighted that Nat has agree to step up into this new role.”
Others, however, were more critical of the choice to cast Barr. Radio pundit Kyle Sandilands said on Monday during The Kyle And Jackie O Show, “I don’t think it’s right, they should’ve done a casting.”
“Natalie’s a great newsreader – not taking anything away from her success – but I think you can’t just hang around.”
He also described her as “cold”, though went on to say “maybe I find her cold because she’s just reading news.”
Sandilands’ co-host Jackie O disagreed, saying “I think the audience really like Nat, so I guess it makes sense.”
