Dan Bourchier appointed General Manager of NITV

The respected journalist, presenter and accomplished leader will join National Indigenous Television (NITV) in September 

Bourchier brings more than 25 years’ media experience, including most recently as a presenter and journalist at the ABC, and previously with Sky News and NITV. A proud Aboriginal man who grew up on Warumungu Country, NT, with family connections in Victoria, he has a record of championing First Nations storytelling, and has reported stories and delivered coverage from across the country. He is also passionate about creating culturally safe spaces for Indigenous voices, including as Chair of the ABC’s Bonner Committee, the broadcaster’s primary First Nations advisory body.

As General Manager, Bourchier will play a critical role in driving continued audience and community impact for NITV, working closely with NITV’s senior leadership team and across the SBS network. He will oversee broadcast and digital strategy and lead day-to-day operations across its portfolio, as well as contribute through select on-air appearances and public outreach.   

He joins as SBS expands its commitment to amplifying First Nations stories and perspectives, following the announcement earlier this year of Tanya Denning-Orman’s appointment as SBS Director, First Nations, to lead a network-wide strategy to increase Indigenous content, culture and leadership throughout SBS – including the elevation of NITV at the heart of the network.  
 
“This feels like coming home. NITV gave me my start in television back in 2010 as a political reporter, and returning now as General Manager is a privilege. NITV has always been an incubator of talented journalists and storytellers and is today investing more than ever in original First Nations programming, working with the First Nations media sector across the country,” said Bourchier. 

“I’m excited to work alongside such incredible people – a team that continues to blaze a trail in truth-telling the stories that reflect the depth, diversity and strength of our communities. Together, we’ll build on NITV’s proud legacy and take it even more powerfully into the future.” 

Bourchier was most recently a senior news anchor for the ABC News Channel since 2024 and has been Chair of the ABC’s Bonner Committee since 2022. Prior to this, he led the ABC’s national coverage of the Voice to Parliament Referendum and hosted The Drum. He is also an accomplished company director and has held governance leadership roles including Chair of BlakDance, Council Member of the University of Canberra Council, and Non-Executive Director of Outback Stores.  

“Dan brings a wealth of media experience, strong cultural knowledge, and a passion for championing First Nations voices — all deeply valuable as NITV enters this exciting new era,” said Denning-Orman.  

“I look forward to working with Dan to share the vital work delivered by NITV with wider audiences across the entire network, and ensuring First Nations voices are deeply embedded in our national storytelling.”  

SBS Director of Television Kathryn Fink said: ”We’re delighted to welcome Dan back. His incredible experience and commitment to First Nations storytelling will be instrumental as he leads NITV’s talented team. NITV has never been stronger, with prime-time audiences growing in a declining linear market, thriving digital platforms, a rich pipeline of First Nations content, and growing commercial revenue. Dan’s leadership will build on this momentum and take NITV to the next level, while ensuring its influence continues to be felt across the media landscape, elevating First Nations stories.” 

Established in 2007, NITV is available free-to-air as part of the SBS network since December 2012 and today delivers award-winning, critically acclaimed First Nations content across news, current affairs, drama, documentary, entertainment, sport and children’s programming. In 2024-25, NITV reached 4.1 million Australians monthly on linear and SBS On Demand,¹ helping drive almost 19 million hours of Indigenous content consumed across the SBS network’s television, audio and digital platforms.² 

Bourchier will commence in his role as General Manager of NITV on 29 September 2025. 

For a PDF of this media release, click here

¹ OzTAM VOZ data, Total People, NITV, Jul’24 – Jun’25, When Watched, Total TV Average Monthly Reach (TV 1 min, BVOD 15 secs)

² SBS internal data and OzTam data 2024-25