It was only a couple of months ago that Australia was shocked to learn had decided to leave Channel Seven, ending a 21-year relationship with the network, with being told that "no one saw it coming". In a statement to the , the former and host explained: “I leave with lots of goodwill in my heart and excitement about the future. I’m big on instinct.
I listen to my instinct. I know when the time comes. I am proud of the fact that I back myself enough to say, 'I’ve done what I can do here' and I move on.
” Although initial reports suggested the former host’s choice not to renew her contract with Seven may be down to talent across the network facing pay cuts, as advertising revenue across the entire media industry continues to decline, understands there was much more to it than this. “Since Sam left Sunrise [in 2021] all they’ve really given her is ,” a source at Seven said, with Sam having hosted for the past three seasons. “Throughout her career, Sam’s travelled the world covering wars, natural disasters and the biggest stories of most people's lifetimes and she misses the rush that comes with this and knowing she’s making a difference.
” After Sam broke the news to her Instagram followers, thanking Channel Seven for the years, speculation mounted that she may head to a rival network after she captioned her farewell post, "this is not the end, just the end of this chapter". According to our source, Channel Seven was "blindsided" by Sam's decision after th.