Who will replace long-time Today show host?
With the dismissal of Karl Stefanovic Today After 20 years chairing the show, the Nine Network faces its biggest decision yet: who will replace him? Today It has long been so dependent on its big stars that it has been unable to engage in meaningful succession planning, and there was no clear name ready to take over from Stefanovic. She also faces the problem of finding maternity leave coverage. Today co-hosted by Sarah Abo, who is due to give birth soon.
Nine’s ratings are also expected to decline Today Constantly beaten by seven rivals sunrise (Tuesday’s national figures are an example: sunrise 459,000 and Today 292,000). Actually, Today did not beat sunrise For 20 years. That point came close when Stefanovic and former co-host Lisa Wilkinson stepped forward in 2016. Most weekly wins in big capitals but couldn’t beat Sunrise strong in regional markets
So what to do? Will you bet on new talent? This isn’t actually Nine’s job. (In Sydney, for example, the two 6pm news anchors are men in their 60s.) Or find a safe pair of hands that won’t scare off rusty audiences but probably won’t attract new viewers. Today He had tried two female presenters before; Deb Knight and Georgie Gardner were paired together in 2019 when Stefanovic “left” the show, saying she wasn’t “at her best”. However, this experience ended a year later with falling ratings and Stefanovic was reinstated alongside Ally Langdon. So who’s next? Louise Rügendyke And Karl Quinn Evaluate potential candidates.
Tom Steinfort
If you took the ranking as an omen Today You can say that Tom Steinfort will replace Stefanovic this week. So it’s already doing its job. He looks good in a suit. It can read automatically. He also has some journalistic skills, having spent five years (in two stints) as a reporter for a newspaper. 60 MinutesNot to mention his posts to the US and Europe as Nine’s news correspondent. But the downside of the ledger is that Nine in Melbourne has gained huge positivity since replacing Peter Hitchener as presenter (with the popular and talented Alicia Loxley) on its Monday to Friday evening newscast, which has helped Nine close the gap to Seven’s nightly news, long the most-watched program in the country, and is now the No 1 bulletin in the metro capitals (Seven still has a sizeable newscast). is a leader in regional markets). This is an advantage they will be extremely reluctant to give up. Karl Quinn
Joel Kuru
Pretty much the same caveats apply to Dry as they do to Steinfort: he’s a veteran with a solid news background, a lot of on-air experience, looks good, manages to come across as approachable and authoritative. And it’s just as positive as the negative: He co-hosts (with Melissa Downes) a weekday newsletter in Brisbane that turns gangsters. It’s a welcome problem for Nine, but not wanting to mess with a winning formula in prime time doesn’t do much to solve the big problem the network has at the other end of the day. KQ
David Campbell
Perennial bridesmaid. hosted by Today Extra Since 2011 (when formerly known) morning) and is a familiar and friendly face to viewers. With his background in entertainment, he has strong connections throughout the industry, and being the son of Jimmy Barnes adds to his appeal. For an easy fix, Granny can move Campbell and his friends. Today Extra Co-hosted by Sylvia Jeffreys Today The time period when Abo takes maternity leave, this will be a smooth transition and today’s The current audience is happy. Will they bring in new audiences? Probably not! But they may appeal to older viewers TodayTired of Stefanovic’s antics, he returns to readjust. Louise Rügendyke
James Bracey
The Nine News Sydney sports presenter is featured all over the network, covering not only sports from Sunday to Thursday, but also covering most of the NRL news, as well as the Australian Open, Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Melbourne Cup, swimming trials and various football shows. He also filled it in Today A few times, but would Nine want to sacrifice one of the big sports hosts? Today? Bracey is a dad, has a very easy-going on-screen demeanor, has shiny teeth and shoes and falls into the “nice young man on telly” category, which appeals to Nine’s broad demographic of 25 to 54-year-old viewers, football heads and tennis fans for two weeks in January. If Nine had backed Bracey, it would probably have needed a more news-focused co-host like Abo. L.R.
Michael Atkinson
Like Stefanovic, Michael Atkinson was born in Queensland, went to private school in Brisbane, is married with three children (like Stefanovic and Thorburn) and has the personality of an ordinary man who does not alienate women. He is a sports journalist (and former rugby coach) at Stan, having come from talent channel Nine News and Wide World of Sports, and is now a presenter. Today (a reporter who also has a friendly relationship with Karl) and currently co-hosts the weekend edition of the show with Alison Piotrowski. If Nine’s management is looking for someone who fits the template, it could do much worse. KQ
David Woiwod
If Granny decides to look beyond her own shelter, so will Seven’s. Weekend Sunrise Co-hosting is a great option. More importantly, he has news as he begins his career. 10 News MelbourneHe covered state politics before moving to Seven, where he was the Melbourne correspondent. sunrisegiving it a national profile. After serving as Seven News’ US correspondent and bureau chief for four years, Woiwod returned home to host the show. Weekend Sunrise With Monique Wright (who should also get Nine) in 2024. He also has the, frankly, breakfast TV look, with his dark-rimmed glasses and short back and sides giving him a Clark Kent vibe. And if anyone needs a disguised superhero to save breakfast TV, it’s Granny. L.R.
[First name here] Stefanovic
Look, Granny had tried to get rid of Karl before. Things didn’t go so well, so they rehired him. This time it is clearly impossible. But what about the next best thing: a DIFFERENT Stefanovic. You keep the brand name untarnished and reach a right-wing audience. Brother Peter is an experienced journalist in his own right and currently hosts Sky’s morning news show First Edition. OK, considering the current stink caused by Karl’s swing to the right, getting one from Sky could create a few problems. What about the other brother, Tom? A former cameraman at Nine, Tom now works at Mandole Orchard, his wife’s family-owned business, bringing almond-based products to market. But the nut doesn’t fall very far from the tree, so why not throw it in front of the camera rather than behind it and see if it blooms? KQ
wildcards
Todd Woodbridge For Nine, the former tennis champion has had a revelation in a variety of roles far beyond the sportscaster for which she was initially hired. And as the host of the surprise smash Tipping Point He played a vital role in the revival of the following nightly newscast. He did enough to earn a Gold Logie nomination; Has he done enough to earn a spot on the couch? If management is willing to cast the net a little wider, maybe the old News Breakfast public server michael rowland can be returned to broadcast. A return to early morning starts could be tough, but his salary package (far below Stefanovic’s $2 million-plus, but still much more than he’d get at ABC) could ease the pain. But the bigger hurdle was that he resigned in part to care for his ill wife, Nicola Webber.
Okay, if we’re going to open the door to people from the ABC, how about we go all out and offer a play to Nine? Tony Armstrong? The guy is funny, handsome, charismatic and smart. He is also ambitious and open to offers, if we take seriously his “jokes” about asking for more money. What better way to show your distance from Stefanovic’s political views than to appoint Armstrong?
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Louise Rugendyke is National TV editor and senior culture writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect with: X or email.
