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Nine dumps Karl Stefanovic from Today

“Nine & Karl Stefanovic have agreed it is time for him to step off the Today Show."

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Karl Stefanovic has been dumped from Today after 14 years as host.

He will remain with Nine as host of This Time Next Year.

The news follows low ratings, 2 years of headlines around his personal life, and the exit of brother Peter Stefanovic yesterday.

Darren Wick, Director of News and Current Affairs said, “Nine and Karl Stefanovic have agreed it is time for him to step off the Today show. Karl remains on contract with the network and will continue to host This Time Next Year, which records in February.

“For over 14 years Karl has been at the centre of the Today Show bringing his unique personality and perspective to the day’s news and current affairs.”

Karl Stefanovic said: “For the last 14 years I’ve co-hosted the best show on television. I can’t thank Nine enough for the opportunity. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be good enough to host this grand show for so long.

“Thanks to our viewers mostly, you are what matters most. It’s been a tough time. Thanks for hanging in there. I look forward to seeing you in another capacity at this great Network soon.”

Today is under review by incoming executive producer Steve Burling, amid suggestions other names could go. Media is speculating about Richard Wilkins, Sylvia Jeffreys and Tim Gilbert, although Nine has denied some reportage.

“An announcement on the new line up and format of the Today show will be made in the coming weeks,” said Wick.

44 Responses

  4. I think Karl became too comfy in his role, this blokey macho act he put on was really off putting, i used to love the today show but he killed it, i watch CNN or ABC24 now

  7. Have not been a fan of him for a long time on Today….but when big stories break, he is probably the best in the business. When Corby was released in Bali….he was outstanding.
    His brother is even worse on Today. Just too many huge egos on the Today set for me! I think Richard will be next to go….He has had an amazing run with that MTV hairstyle….very lucky to have lasted so long.

  9. Doesn’t do much for the image of Today both hosts have left abruptly in about 18 months with no on air acknowledgement. Both had been on the show for a very extended period. Compare this to Sunrise where both Melissa Doyle (who was demoted) and Andrew O’Keefe were given big farewells. Add to that list Ita and Jessica on Studio 10. Sandy Roberts switched networks but was given a big send off by Seven.
    On another note hopefully this will keep Cassandra Thorburn quiet. She has been whinging and whining about all the attention on her all the while publicly lashing out at Karl calling him fake, saying he’s dead to her and doing a terrible job. She has even denied she has done interviews which media has proved otherwise.

  10. As a journalist he is first class. The turn off for me was when he tried to act the clown. I am a regular Sunrise viewer but when I turn over to Today I find they have better content so when they get the right hosts, they will turn the corner.

  11. Karl’s time was up. He knew it years ago but the network wanted him there. In some ways he will be happy he is done with it.

    Replacements:
    The safe move would be replacing him with Brenton Ragless. However, he is reticent to move from Adelaide. It will depend on how much money Nine want to throw at him.
    The bold move (and a smart move for a majority female audience) would be to put in Deb Knight as Karl’s replacement. NBC effectively did this when Matt Lauer was unceremoniously dethroned and it made a very big statement (clearly the circumstances were different).

    Sylvia is safe. Despite being in the mix with the ubergate situation, she came out of it relatively unscathed and now that Karl has gone (and Pete has left the network) she now has some clear air around her.

    Natalia: She is on maternity leave and I would be surprised if she returned to Today in a full time…

  12. I’m not surprised at this News. This is usually the end result when nepotism is allowed to creep into a business. Karl hasn’t had clean air since hs personal life became cannon fodder for the trash magazines. Then there was Ubergate. Instead of allowing Karl and Georgie to thrash it out onscreen we had to tolerate the fakeness of it all. Nothing to see here people, move along…and the viewers did.

  14. I would have axed Georgie before Karl. She has become smug. Maybe stick with Brenton bring in Deb Knight Tim on sport with Richard & Stevie Jacobs on weather. In my opinion Natalia Cooper is the weakest link & Stevie must replace her. I think Karl is still one of the best journalists on tv & Today will miss that.

  17. “I’ve co-hosted the best show on television”. Really? Then why aren’t people watching and why have you been booted. There’s a good case here for all of the above mentioned to go. Looks like this new producer has got the broom out.

  18. Karl went from being such a fun, smart, breath of fresh air into a smug, arrogant character who behaved too often like a boofhead larrikin. A good talent who became simply unwatchable.

    1. Good comment and I agree entirely. Trouble is, I don’t think he can be taken seriously as a journalist so I am not sure there is a place in TV land for him. Maybe radio after a 12 month break, he has a good radio voice

  19. In my humble opinion Today has a better format than Sunrise overall but the latter comes across as ‘family’ and people seem to like that. I don’t think Karl should have to shoulder all the blame for the ratings even though he does seem to have made some really silly decisions over the past few months if you believe everything you read. DM were relentless to the point that I actually feel a bit sorry for him.

    1. I Don’t Know how you work that out.
      Sunrise looks like a family.
      Today Show just needs a bit of Tweeking. They will be fine.
      When I have time usually watch Today over Sunrise . Cannot stand David Kosh.

  23. Probably for the Best, better to hit the nail on the head now than wait another year and let the scrutiny and poor ratings drag on. It’s a bit sad he wont be able to do a big farewell episode like Melissa Doyle did on Sunrise, but then again Lisa didn’t do one either and I guess Today doesnt have/need the same Family feel Sunrise does.

    1. Yes it was a shame with Lisa but they had done a 10 year anniversary tribute to her earlier in the year, plus she left the network altogether. Karl is still with 9 so technically could come back for a farewell show.

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