George Donikian began his media career in 1974, after completing a radio course at top-rating Sydney station 2SM. His First 'on-air' role was at Radiostation 4 AM in Far North Queensland, as an announcer. In 1979, George returned to Sydney, to work for Mike Webb on commercial station 2WS, where he performed, as an announcer, newsreader and sports reporter.
In 1980, a chance meeting with TV guru Bruce Gyngell, saw him chosen as the first news anchor for world-first multicultural broadcaster Channel 0. Channel 0, launched simultaneously in Melbourne, Sydney in October 1980before becoming Channel 0-28 and including Canberra. The Network then evolved into the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).
George was the network’s first News anchor, reading the critically acclaimed nightly WorldNews program for 8 ½ years. Throughout the 80s George was a host and Football commentator, covering the NSL on SBS Television. He was also a co-presenter and reporter on a “special” 3 network coverage of the Bicentennial Celebrations ( SBS joined the ABC and the Nine Network, to create the special titled 'Celebration of a Nation" 1988).
George has worked on numerous sports and news programs both nationally and internationally covering a multitude of sports including, NRL, NSL, AFL and has hosted shows like Nine’s Wide World of Sports, SportsSunday, the National 9 “Morning News” and The Today Show.
He has also hosted awards nights, been the Master of Ceremonies at too many functions to mention, starred in the documentary drama program Witchhunt, hosted a World Congress for AMP with Neil Armstrong, hosted talkback radio and been Master of Ceremonies aboard a cruise ship!
In 2000, George moved to Melbourne, to pioneer Ten’s digital news service, from the Como Studio in South Yarra, as well as hosting, the “First at 5” weekday news for 10 during that period. National Weekend news anchor on Ten in the mid 90’s, George hosted bulletins for Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra, from the network’s state of the art studios, in Sydney.
One of George’s most notable events was anchoring the ‘special’ network 10 coverage which broke the news to Australia that Diana, the Princess of Wales had died in a car crash in Paris. He also covered her funeral, which was broadcast around the globe.
In 1999 George joined 2 groups of journalists from around the world to visit Athens, as guests of the GreekGovernment to help with the preparations for the Olympic Games of 2004.
In 2000, George was the voice and face of the MCG, during the Sydney Olympics Soccer tournament.
In 2003, George was the voice of Telstra Dome in Melbourne, for the Rugby World Cup and then spent a month in Greece in 2004, conducting a series of radio reports and giving Australians a “taste” of the Olympic experience in Europe. George read the Melbourne News for Channel 10 at 5 o’clock, from2000with co-anchor Jennifer Hansen and then with Helen Kapalos. From2004- 2011George was Melbourne’s Weekend News anchor until he finished with Ten in Nov 2011.
George is an Ambassador for the Carlton Football Club, hosting a number of functions, including Richard Pratt’s first President’s function at the MCG, and Carlton Player of the Year Awards. In the A-League, George hosted the first Player of the Year Awards for Melbourne Heart FC, as inaugural their ambassador.
He continues to support the Heart and host key functions for them. From2008 -2012, George was an Audi Ambassador, hosting key events, like the launch of
the A-1, A-3, A-4, A-6, T.T. A-7, A-8, and R-8 models in Melbourne.
George is an Australia Day Ambassador in Melbourne and continues to be a most sought after host and master of ceremonies.