Channel Nine is planning for the future without Karl Stefanovic and is secretly working on significant changes to the Today show.
As the experienced host, age 52, and his co-host Sarah Abo, 39, begin what sources say might be their last attempt to boost viewership together, speculation is rising about their future on the show.
According to a source at Nine, executives were intensely discussing and planning for Karl’s replacement at the network’s headquarters in North Sydney.
Some leaders at the network believe the ‘Today’ show needs a complete revamp. They say the program needs to be essentially restarted from the beginning if it wants to compete effectively with Channel Seven’s ‘Sunrise’ in viewership numbers.
Speculation is already swirling about who could replace Karl in the coveted co-hosting role.
Both Tom Steinfort, a newsreader in Melbourne, and Joel Dry, the new evening anchor in Brisbane, are potential candidates to replace Karl. Some at the network, however, think Nine might try to recruit Matt Shirvington from the competing ‘Sunrise’ program.
This change is happening as Karl nears his 20th anniversary hosting the second most popular breakfast television program in the nation.
Even with a series of well-known co-hosts like Jessica Rowe, Lisa Wilkinson, Allison Langdon, and Sarah Abo, the Today show hasn’t managed to surpass Sunrise in ratings during Karl Stefanovic’s time as host.
There were recent rumors that Samantha Armytage, formerly of Sunrise, would take over from Abo after she moved to Channel Nine to host The Golden Bachelor.
The original plan didn’t work out; Karl persuaded the executives to let him and Abo try for the championship one more time.
Karl recently launched his own YouTube podcast.
Last month, Karl revealed on Instagram that he’s been busy recording new music, posting a video of himself in the studio.
He announced with excitement that he was about to share something remarkable, describing it as a creative force within him that he was finally ready to reveal.
He told fans they don’t need to worry, because he has complete creative control over the show since it’s his personal project.
I have the freedom to speak with anyone who interests me – whether they’ve achieved incredible things or simply have a compelling story to share, he explained.
Oh my gosh, you guys, it’s going to be AMAZING! Seriously, it’s totally real, raw, and they’re holding NOTHING back. I’m SO ready to lose it – I’m practically vibrating with excitement! Are you brave enough to join me on this wild ride? The Karl Stefanovic Show is almost here, and honestly, it’s going to be a blast!
He shared his goals for the podcast and announced a very unexpected guest who will be featured on the first episode.
‘A few decades on the telly has given me a very good bulls**t metre – and an eye for a bloody great story,’ he explained.
This show will feature guests from all walks of life – including politics, sports, business, and the arts – people I know you’ll be interested in hearing from. I’m not holding back, and we’re aiming for a lively, engaging conversation.
Karl joined the Today show in 2005, but he was later let go after the show’s ratings dropped, especially as his personal life became heavily publicized.
The show’s viewership started to drop around September 2016, following the public announcement that Karl and his wife, Cassandra Thorburn—with whom he shares three children—were separating.
A few months later, he started dating his now-wife Jasmine, who was ten years his junior.
In 2018, he became caught up in the ‘Ubergate’ scandal. A private conversation he had with his brother, Peter, in an Uber was recorded just months before he was let go from his job at Today.
An Uber driver shared details of a phone conversation Peter, a TV journalist, had with Karl while on speakerphone during a ride.
The Uber driver later shared details of the call with New Idea magazine, alleging that Karl Stefanovic had spoken negatively about his colleague, Georgie Gardner, during the conversation.
Just days after his extravagant wedding in Mexico, Karl was unexpectedly removed from the program. He continued to host This Time Next Year until it was cancelled in October, and later contributed to 60 Minutes.
He made his return to the Today show in early 2020, joining Allison Langdon at the desk.
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2026-02-02 02:19