Sunrise boss: Unlike Today we’re not going for the old school thinking of running dead over summer
The boss of Seven’s Sunrise has suggested that rival show Today is behind the times by allowing its A-team of hosts to take an extended summer break.
Sunrise – which kept familiar faces on screen throughout the non-ratings period has been trouncing Today in the ratings.
Sunrise EP Michael Pell’s comments followed new Today EP Neil Breen almost admitting defeat by telling today’s Sydney Confidential that “Seven have played it well” in keeping Melissa Doyle and David Koch on air. Doyle stayed on until Christmas and Koch returned immediately afterwards.
“(Doyle and) Koch have done the hard yards over summer while Channel 9 has made the decision to let Karl (Stefanovic) and Lisa (Wilkinson) have a break,” he said. “I’ve been on the job five weeks and in that time Karl hasn’t been on air at all.”
Pell would not directly comment on what Breen has to say about the roster he inherited, but said he would have demanded the main hosts be on air if he was in the position. “It is old school thinking to run dead over summer because the beginning of the year is not the time to drop the ball,” Pell told Mumbrella today.
“In 2013 viewers expect something out their breakfast show – people have more to to sit down and watch them and digest the news, and there has been plenty of it lately. We’re now looking forward to a massive year given the ratings lead we have already.”
Sunrise has enjoyed its best head start over Today in five years, with an average 370,000 daily national viewers last week to Today’s 260,000. Sunrise won last year, but the gap was much narrower – 370,000 to 330,000 overall.
Today has also had significant recent glitches – it kept its Queensland edition on one hour daylight saving when the winning yacht crossed the line in the Sydney to Hobart Race, and in Sydney a commercial break was on when the yacht crossed the line.
Breen could not be contacted for comment today.
Marcus Casey
Today seems to be doing all it can to repulse viewers. This weekend they have gone on an all-out binge promoting their millionaire mates at the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast. They do this every year. The public does not want to hear how much Singo and Gerry are shelling out for new thoroughbreds.
Today’s behaviour over Summer reminds me of the year Nine took off A Current Affair over summer, thus giving Today Tonight a huge boost. 2GB have also sent their announcers on extended leave meaning we have to put up with their B Team for almost two months. The sure sign of arrogance and hubris.
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And Ch9 complain about Cricket Australia picking a 2nd team. Look in the mirror!
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They need a break sometimes or burn out
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Now if Seven will only get rid of that awful ‘Kochie’s Angels’ segment, it would make for far better television.
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I find it very frustrating how most of the media outlets in Australia pull back their coverage and schedule for a prolonged period at this time of year. Its refreshing that Ch7 are still running decent news programming.
This is actually the time when i have the most free time to watch TV, read the papers and listen to the radio.
Notably SMH’s weekend sections such as Good Weekend don’t publish for a whole month over Christmas! These aren’t news led so surely features can be written prior to the break and they still can still publish!! I’m not sure what the reason behind this are but i suspect the readership for this period would increase.
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Today or Sunrise could have muppets hosting they are both drivel.
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