Chris Bath has confirmed she is stepping away from ABC Radio Sydney Drive, marking the end of her short run in the high-profile slot as she shifts to a new Sunday program — a move that coincides with ongoing fallout from her 10 News exit last month.
The respected broadcaster told listeners the call to leave weekday Drive had been a “very difficult decision”, made so she could finally devote time to long-planned “passion projects” that had been demanding her attention.
In an emotional on-air announcement, Bath reflected on the upheaval of recent years, telling listeners, “What the world throws at you is not always under your control, sometimes you just have to go with it.”
– Advertisement –
Bath will not be leaving the ABC entirely, instead moving to a new Sunday program airing across NSW on 702 ABC Radio Sydney from 10am to noon.
“My dream is to create a show with a real community focus.”
“Where you can take a break from the news cycle and perhaps find out a bit more about the things that aren’t dominating news during the week, but are still really interesting and deserve attention.”
Her departure from Drive comes less than a year after she stepped into the chair in early 2025, following the retirement of long-time host Richard Glover.
From 2026, her weekday slot will be filled by Thomas Oriti, currently hosting ABC NewsRadio Breakfast and Radio National’s Background Briefing.
“To now be joining the team as Drive presenter is a real privilege.”
“I’m excited to connect with listeners across the city and continue the tradition of thoughtful, engaging radio.”
Bath’s ABC shift comes in the shadow of her recent departure from 10 News, announced on 31 October, ending a seven-year spell fronting the network’s national weekend bulletins. She had anchored a 90-minute Saturday national bulletin, a 90-minute Perth edition, and a one-hour Sunday bulletin since joining the network in 2017.
Behind the scenes, TV Blackbox revealed her exit was not a resignation but the result of contract negotiations breaking down amid sweeping cost-cutting across Network 10 and Paramount, with a number of staff offered reduced deals or allowed to lapse. Industry reports suggested she had become “too expensive for 10 to keep on its books”.
The network is now expected to move Georgie Tunny into the weekend news anchor role, after she was recently seen filling the chair. The shift comes as 10 looks to reposition the popular presenter following the cancellation of The Project.
Throughout her tenure at 10, Bath also filled in on The Project and The Sunday Project, anchored election broadcasts and narrated later seasons of Ambulance Australia.
– Advertisement –
In a statement provided to TV Blackbox following confirmation of her departure, the network said:
“After seven years presenting the national weekend bulletin for 10 News, Chris Bath will present her last bulletin at the end of this year.
Chris is one of Australia’s most respected news presenters and we thank her for her passion, dedication and contribution throughout her time presenting this bulletin.
Chris will always be a valued member of the 10 family.”
Bath’s move at the ABC also leaves no permanent female presenters across the station’s core daytime lineup, with Craig Reucassel on Breaking, Hamish Macdonald on Mornings and James Valentine returning to Afternoons early in the new year after cancer treatment.
Rae Johnston will shift to Saturday mornings from 10am, while Dom Knight continues on Saturday Breakfast from 6am.
The new Sunday program presented by Chris Bath will air from 10am to noon on ABC Radio Sydney and across NSW.
– Advertisement –
