Mark Beretta is preparing to make one of the biggest moves of his career, stepping away from Sunrise after more than two decades as the show’s steady, unmistakable sporting heartbeat.
It brings to a close a chapter that not only shaped Seven’s mornings but also cemented Beretta as one of Australian TV’s most recognisable sports broadcasters.
Beretta – or “Beretts,” as he’s known on- and off-air – will leave the Sunrise desk in two weeks, ending an extraordinary 22-year run delivering headlines, highlights and more than a few historic moments.
In a statement which he read on-air this morning, he said the decision followed “a lot of long nights thinking about it,” and a sense that the timing was finally right.
“If someone had told me back in February 1995 when I walked through the doors of Seven Melbourne for my first day that 30 years later I’d still be doing the job I love, I wouldn’t have believed them,” he said.
His departure comes in the wake of personal upheaval.
“Losing Dad to cancer two months ago, and Mum fighting on against the disease, has made me see the world a little differently,” Beretta said.
“Family time has become even more important. And I want to do more to help the great work of Tour de Cure in finding treatments and cures for cancer.”
A career stitched into Australia’s biggest sporting moments
Beretta’s footprint at Seven stretches well beyond breakfast television.
He’s covered 13 Olympic Games, hosted prime-time coverage of Sydney 2000 – including Cathy Freeman’s iconic 400m Gold – and commentated Australia’s first Olympic Freestyle Aerials Gold in 2002.
His voice has carried audiences through AFL, Australian Open Tennis, Supercars, Commonwealth Games, surf lifesaving, waterskiing and more.
He has also delivered some uniquely Beretta moments: a world-first five-country, five-day Sunrise broadcast; carrying the Olympic flame in Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008; and championing 16 Tour de Cure rides that earned him an Order of Australia Medal.
Gratitude, heart, and one last lap
“I have so many people to thank – our inspirational Chairman Kerry Stokes, all the great leaders I’ve worked under here at Seven, as well as so many talented colleagues and crew,” he said.
He also acknowledged the athletes who “have been so generous to me over three decades,” and the viewers who became part of his morning routine.
“From the bottom of my heart thanks to all our viewers, you will always be the best part of Sunrise.”
Seven’s Director of Morning Television, Sarah Stinson, said Beretta “has been the heartbeat of Sunrise’s sports coverage for more than two decades,” adding that while the team will miss him, “we know he’s ready to kick off the next chapter, with family, charity, and the sports he loves.”
Long-time co-host Natalie Barr said: “For more than 20 years we have sat together in the Sunrise studio and what a ride it has been. You never quite leave the Sunrise family though… so see you soon Beretts!”
What’s next for Beretta
His passion – for sport, for storytelling, for the communities he’s championed – “will never fade,” he said.
Beretta will remain involved with major upcoming events, continue his work with Tour de Cure, and return for the annual Sunrise charity ride.
Seven confirmed he will also stay connected to the network through special projects to be announced.
Viewers can tune in for Beretta’s final Sunrise on Friday 12 December, marking the end of an era for breakfast TV and the continuation of a career that has shaped Australian sports broadcasting for 30 years.