Seven has today confirmed the return of respected sports broadcaster Matt White, marking a homecoming of sorts as he rejoins the network in a new role across 7 News Sydney and 7 Sport.
News of White’s appointment with Seven comes just weeks after the accomplished broadcaster wrapped up his five year stint hosting the mid morning program Mornings with Matty White on SEN 1170 Sydney.
After a decade as a familiar face at Seven earlier in his career, White will return to the 7 News Sydney sports desk on Sunday, January 18, before shifting focus to the network’s expanded NRL coverage ahead of the 2026 season.
In his new role, White will front Seven’s NRL coverage nationally across nightly 7 News bulletins, while also contributing to the network’s Rugby League World Cup 2026 coverage and the new NRL Agenda Setters program.
The move sees White step into Sydney sports presenting duties previously held by Matt Carmichael, whose contract with Seven was not renewed last year, and reunites him with 7 News Sydney sports anchor Mel McLaughlin more than a decade after they first worked together.
Speaking about his return, White said returning to Seven at a pivotal time for the network’s Rugby League coverage was a privilege.
“7NEWS is home to the best newsmakers in the business and I’m genuinely pumped to be part of what’s next for the network’s NRL coverage.”
Seven’s Director of News and Current Affairs Ray Kuka said White’s return would strengthen the network’s sports coverage.
“Matt’s return to Seven is a homecoming for one of the most respected voices in Australian sport.”
Seven’s Director of Network Sport Chris Jones said White’s appointment was a major addition to the network’s NRL coverage.
“Bringing him into the fold across 7NEWS, our Rugby League World Cup 2026 coverage and our wider NRL programming is a huge coup for Seven and for fans.”
White brings more than three decades of experience across television, radio and print, rising to prominence as a founding face of Sports Tonight before later joining Seven, where he hosted Today Tonight and has led coverage of Olympic and Commonwealth Games, major motorsport championships, news bulletins and major live events.
Since departing Network 10 in 2020, where he served as Head of Sport before network wide cuts at the start of the pandemic, White has remained active in sports broadcasting, hosting the Australian Swimming Trials for Prime Video, featured in Seven’s coverage of the Tokyo Paralympic Games, and motorsport coverage for Stan Sport.
White’s return marks a full circle moment, rejoining Channel 7 as the newly combined Seven and Southern Cross entity enters a fresh era and as the network prepares for a major 2026 Rugby League year.
Good news for 7! Great get!
Why Not Channel 10 Thats Where He Started
Thomas Alexander Mylott 10’s loss in letting him go a few years ago is Seven’s gain now. He’s a strong operator and it’s good to see him back at one of the networks. – Kyle
7 doesnt cover nrl only rugby leahue world cup
Pete Priestley
Don’t you mean AFL?
Peta Hopwood channrl 7 dont cover nrl moron
Pete Priestley That’s right, this isn’t about NRL rights, but Seven’s NRL focused news, analysis and programming, including their Rugby League World Cup coverage later this year and the new NRL Agenda Setters program. – Kyle
Good.he is good
Nine has the NRL contract so he must just be reporting on the games like they do now. Unlike the AFL with full coverage.
Peta Hopwood seven have rights for the world(sort of, not really) cup for rugba league
Peta Hopwood Correct, Seven appear to be building out their NRL coverage through news, their coverage of the Rugby League World Cup later this year, and the new NRL Agenda Setters program. – Kyle
TV Blackbox
I think there’s means to their madness though. The World Cup isn’t going to be a full time job for the entire year. They’re currently having Sport covered by Tom Sacre from the newsroom which seemed odd at the time but now makes sense – if you get my drift. What a shame they dumped Matty after 23 years!
They have Michelle Keighran-Bishop why would they need s second reporter running league
David Hilyander Matt’s role is sharing and filling in on sport presenter duties for the Sydney bulletin, contributing to Seven’s Rugby League World Cup coverage this year, and it looks like he’ll also pop up across the network’s wider sports coverage. – Kyle
TV Blackbox 👍🏻
Matt is good welcome back to tv
👏👏
Can’t say I saw this coming, but a great move by Seven! Definitely strengthens their Sport coverage.
Welcome back Matt just lovely to see you again.