Jenny Brockie steps down as Insight host after 20 years
Jenny Brockie has announced she will be stepping down as the host of SBS’ Insight after 20 years.
Brockie said the decision to leave the flagship current affairs program was a hard one, but that she is currently in discussions with SBS over her future.
“After a break this year and a lot of thought, I’ve decided it’s time for a change. I care deeply about SBS and I couldn’t be more grateful to James Taylor and Mandi Wicks for supporting my decision to step away from my role on Insight. We’re talking about new ideas and how I might contribute to the network in the future,” said Brockie.
“Hosting Insight for nearly two decades has been a highlight of my professional life. I’m proud of the work I’ve done and am hugely grateful to the talented Insight team and the many other fine people at SBS who’ve made that work possible. I have enormous regard for Insight’s viewers and want to thank them for all the warmth and kindness they have shown me. Above all, I want to thank the thousands of guests who’ve trusted me with their stories over so many years. It’s been an honour and a privilege to help you share your experiences.
“I’m looking forward to what comes next for me. I have no doubt Insight will continue to flourish and I will be welcoming the new host in 2021.”
SBS managing director, James Taylor, said Brockie’s contribution to SBS over her 20 years with the network cannot be understated.
“Jenny is one of Australia’s most respected journalists and has played an integral role as part of our highly-regarded news and current affairs team. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge Jenny’s substantial contribution to SBS over almost two decades with Insight, and for her award-winning body of work,” said Taylor.
“Jenny has been instrumental in growing and refining Insight from its early days to become the world class forum program it is today, and we look forward to building on that success. Jenny will always be part of the SBS family and we’re hopeful she will return to our screens in the future.”
SBS’ new director of news and current affairs, Mandi Wicks, said Insight will be back in 2021 and will continue to deliver important content.
“Jenny is renowned for her curiosity and fairness, bringing a forensic attention to detail and a warmth that puts interviewees at ease. She has unearthed some extraordinary first-person stories over the years, delivering the high-quality journalism our audiences know and trust us for,” said Wicks.
“Jenny will be taking a break, and while we are sad to lose her from Insight, we’re discussing opportunities and fresh ideas in the hope we can work together at SBS in the future. I look forward to working with the Insight team during its next phase in 2021 as it continues to deliver balanced, considered and intriguing debates, delving into a wide variety of topics with a fresh perspective.”
Outgoing SBS director of news and current affairs, Jim Carroll, said: “It has been an absolute privilege working with Jenny over the past eight years. She is a class act and her intellect, gravitas and humour have made Insight ‘must watch’ television for Australians wanting to be informed and entertained on the most vital issues. Under her watch, Insight became SBS’s most successful and engaging current affairs format, and together with the team it has garnered an incredibly loyal following of viewers and a growing digital presence. Jenny’s capacity to earn the trust of Insight guests, allowing them to tell the most personal and sometimes distressing stories in a safe environment, was without peer.
“To me great television is often about memorable moments and Insight with Jenny has provided so many of those. She leaves an enormous and proud legacy.”
SBS will commence its search for a new Insight host for 2021 in the coming weeks.
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