Mark Beretta signed off from Sunrise after 22 years, thanking Seven’s leadership, production crews, athletes and, most of all, loyal viewers who “treated him like family.” Known for his warmth, optimism and sports storytelling, Beretta leaves a legacy as one of Australian breakfast TV’s most trusted and enduring presenters.
Mark Beretta’s final morning on Sunrise felt less like a goodbye and more like the closing of a long, warm chapter in Australian breakfast television. After 22 years on the show—an era that saw massive shifts in media, sport and storytelling—Beretta signed off with the same humility, enthusiasm and easy charm that made him one of the country’s most recognisable and trusted presenters. His farewell was a moment not just for the Seven Network, but for viewers who have made him part of their daily routines for more than two decades.
For Beretta, affectionately known simply as “Beretts,” the end of this journey was not marked by fanfare but by gratitude. Sitting alongside his colleagues, he took a breath before offering thanks to those who shaped his extraordinary run. He began with Seven’s chairman Kerry Stokes and the network’s leadership, acknowledging the support they had shown him from his earliest days. It was a reminder that television careers of such longevity are built on both talent and trust—something Beretta has earned in abundance. For years, Seven executives have described him as a steady hand, a team player and a figure who embodies the network’s values. His words reflected that loyalty, tracing a career anchored by the backing of a system that believed in him.
His tribute to the crews he worked with—camera operators, producers, floor managers, editors, technicians—was heartfelt and grounded. It carried the tone of someone who had not forgotten the thousands of early call times, outdoor broadcasts in unforgiving weather, breaking-news scrambles, and the tight-knit camaraderie forged in studios long before dawn. He spoke of them not as colleagues but as partners in creating a show that millions relied on for energy, information and companionship each morning.
But it was when Beretta turned to sport, the realm that defined his broadcasting legacy, that his voice carried its deepest emotion. For three decades, he has been at the front lines of Australian sport, documenting triumphs, heartbreaks, scandals and improbable victories. From Olympics to world championships, from local heroes to global icons, he became the voice who translated sporting moments into shared national memory. “The athletes I’ve covered have been so generous to me,” he said, reflecting on countless conversations in mixed zones, training camps, stadium tunnels and post-victory huddles. He described their trust as a privilege—one that any seasoned sports journalist knows must be continually earned. His coverage was never just about results; it was about spirit, resilience and humanity. Athletes recognised that sincerity, and viewers felt it.
Still, despite his respect for the industry and the people around him, Beretta reserved his most profound gratitude for those at home. Speaking directly to the audience, he said, “From the bottom of my heart, thanks to all of you, our viewers, who have taken me in, treated me like family and been on this incredible fun ride with me. You will always be the best part of the Sunrise experience.” In an increasingly fragmented media landscape, that kind of relationship between presenter and viewer is rare. It comes not from performance but from consistency—showing up every morning, year after year, with a genuine desire to bring clarity, positivity and connection.
For many Australians, Beretta was far more than a sports presenter. He was the steady, upbeat presence at the corner of the Sunrise desk, the one who could lighten tense moments, enliven sleepy mornings and draw out colleagues’ best. He approached every segment with enthusiasm, whether interviewing Olympians or showcasing a community initiative. He never seemed jaded by the grind of early mornings or the rapid pace of news cycles. That sense of joy—unforced and authentic—became his signature.
His departure marks the end of a remarkable chapter not only for Sunrise but for Australian breakfast television, which has long been shaped by presenters whose personalities feel like familiar companions. Beretta’s contribution extended beyond what viewers saw on air. Behind the scenes, he was known as a mentor, guiding younger reporters, producers and interns with patience and openness. In an age when many newsrooms are stretched thin, his willingness to nurture talent helped sustain the show’s culture and continuity.
Over 22 years, Beretta became part of some of the most memorable broadcasts in the show’s history. He was there through national crises and collective celebrations, offering context and calm. He covered world-changing events that unfolded overnight and broke them down for waking audiences. He led sporting coverage that captured the country’s imagination, becoming a fixture during Olympic seasons. He joined the team for international broadcasts that tested stamina and spirit. His laughter, his energy and his unmistakable optimism became woven into the DNA of Sunrise.
What stood out during his farewell was the recurring theme of gratitude—rare in a profession where schedules are grueling and pressures relentless. Beretta consistently framed his career not as a personal achievement but as a shared endeavour. Even at the close, he emphasised the privilege of being allowed into people’s homes every day. That humility is part of why he endured for so long in a space known for its volatility.
Though he did not elaborate on what comes next, there is little doubt that Beretta’s next chapter will continue to involve storytelling, sport and community. His career has always been shaped not by the pursuit of spotlight but by the pursuit of purpose—bringing stories to life in ways that uplift and connect. Whatever new path he chooses, audiences who have followed him for decades will likely continue to do so with the same affection.
As the cameras rolled for his final moments on the show, there was no dramatic gesture, no elaborate montage—just a warm goodbye from a broadcaster who has never needed embellishment. The power of the moment came from its simplicity. A long-serving presenter thanked the people who shaped his journey and acknowledged the viewers who made it meaningful. It was a farewell that reaffirmed why Beretta became such a beloved figure: authenticity, generosity and a deep respect for the audience.
When a broadcaster leaves after 22 years, the impact is felt not just in the empty chair left behind, but in the rhythms of mornings that change. For viewers who grew up watching Beretta, for those who tuned in during major sporting moments, and for the many who found comfort in his easygoing presence, his departure marks the end of an era.
Yet even as he signed off, the tone of his message was not one of loss but of continuity. His gratitude spoke to the relationships formed over decades—relationships that do not end with a final broadcast. And in that sense, Mark Beretta’s farewell was not just a goodbye to a show, but a celebration of a career built on connection, trust and joy.
