Catalina Flórez named Anton Enus’ successor at SBS World News

SBS journalist Catalina Flórez will succeed long-serving presenter Anton Enus as the permanent Friday and Saturday host of SBS World News from 8 October.

Flórez will anchor the flagship 6.30pm bulletin on those nights while continuing to report from Australia and overseas. Chief presenter Janice Petersen will continue presenting from Sunday to Thursday.

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From correspondent to chief presenter

Flórez joined SBS in 2020 after 12 years in commercial television and has since worked as a reporter, foreign correspondent and occasional presenter of SBS World News and SBS Late News.

Her career has included time in the Canberra Press Gallery and a stint as Ten News’ first female NSW Political Editor. At SBS, she has also filed investigations for Dateline, including stories on El Salvador’s CECOT maximum-security prison, the Colombian cocaine trade and the exploitation of Pacific Island workers.

Her recent international assignments have included reporting from Venezuela following twin earthquakes. Flórez and Enus also presented SBS World News together during the CrowdStrike global IT outage in July 2024.

Flórez said: “It’s an incredible honour to follow in the footsteps of the greats who’ve come before me and I’m very much looking forward to building on this network’s extraordinary record of storytelling.”

She added: “It’s not lost on me that I’m stepping into some gigantic shoes. Anton is a national treasure and someone I’m lucky to have called a mentor and colleague, and a friend.”

Following Enus at the desk

Enus announced his retirement in July and presented his final SBS World News bulletin on Friday, 11 September, ending 27 years with the broadcaster. He joined SBS in 1999 and became a presenter of the 6.30pm bulletin in 2007, later returning as its permanent weekend presenter in 2018.

SBS director of news and current affairs Mandi Wicks said: “Catalina has had extensive experience as a journalist covering significant global and domestic news events for nearly two decades.”

“As a news presenter, Catalina is an outstanding communicator who builds connection and trust through her warmth, credibility and humility. Anton was one of the most trusted faces on Australian television and we are thrilled Catalina is stepping into this important role.”

SBS World News managing editor Adam Mcilrick said Flórez’s experience across domestic politics, foreign correspondence and presentation had prepared her for the role.

Flórez will join Petersen as a chief presenter of SBS World News, alongside finance editor Ricardo Gonçalves and weekend sport presenter Breanna Holden. The bulletin airs nightly at 6.30pm.