Chris Bath’s final weekend bulletin for 10 News took an unexpected turn on Sunday evening, as the veteran presenter stepped back to the desk while still in the newsroom to lead the network’s rolling coverage of the Bondi Beach tragedy.
Chris Bath delivered what was scheduled to be her final 5pm national weekend news bulletin for Channel 10 on Sunday, marking the end of her seven-year run as weekend news presenter.
But as events rapidly unfolded at Bondi Beach, the veteran newsreader, who was still in the newsroom preparing to return to air for Perth’s 5pm local news before it was pre-empted entirely, instead returned live for national coverage at 8pm AEDT, fronting extended reporting late into the night.
– Advertisement –
The network suspended regular programming as Bath guided viewers through developing information, joined on the desk by 10 News Plus hosts Denham Hitchcock and Ashleigh Raper, with several reporters providing updates from the scene.
Bath’s final appearance fronting 10’s weekend news, albeit under challenging circumstances as the tragedy unfolded, comes amid ongoing industry discussion about her exit from the network.
As previously reported by this website, contract negotiations between Bath and Network 10 broke down during a broader cost-cutting period for the broadcaster as it looks to reshape its newsroom and secure better value from presenter contracts.
Her exit will leave the network without one of its most experienced on-air journalists, with Georgie Tunny set to replace her in the weekend news presenter role in 2026.
A Network 10 spokesperson previously issued a statement acknowledging Bath’s contribution:
“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.”
Channel 10’s rolling coverage concluded just after 10:30pm AEDT, drawing Bath’s final weekend shift to a close under circumstances that were anything but routine.
– Advertisement –
Additional reporting by Kyle Laidlaw.
– Advertisement –
