Karl Stefanovic to return to Today hosting duties
Reports of Karl Stefanovic’s return to Nine’s breakfast program Today have proven to be correct, with the Nine-owned papers securing an exclusive interview with him confirming the news.
Stefanovic, as predicted, will be joined by Allison Langdon, who currently has gigs on Weekend Today and 60 Minutes.
The exclusive, by Andrew Hornery, appeared online across Nine’s titles including The Sydney Morning Herald and Brisbane Times at 10:21pm on Friday, however the interview was subsequently taken offline.
The exclusive story as it appeared earlier
Karl’s personal life should have been that – personal. So what if his marriage didn’t work out, it shouldn’t have been used as the main reason to axe him. Narrow minded viewers who influenced Nine, what a lesson to learn the hard way.
I don’t really care whether Karl returns or not BUT the “exclusive” story on the front page of Saturday’s SMH says plenty about Nine’s influence on the independence of journalism at the once great newspaper.
Devastating bushfires swept through NSW, but that news was not judged worthy of a front page story in the Herald. Instead, we had a showbiz, gossipy piece about Karl’s return to Nine’s flagship breakfast program.
Pathetic …..
The continual decline of any journalistic standards in this country.
Nine’s news boss Darren Wick said the experiment with Gardner, Knight, Steinfort and the surrounding team was “a bold decision to try something new with two women hosting” – sorry, did he actually say that? Is it not 2019? There was nothing ‘bold’ or ‘brave’ about having two female presenters on the show. This u-turn is embarrassing for all those involved in the decision and a terrible reflection of the minds of those leading a major Australian media outlet.
Hi there,
Can confirm this is what was said (and that it is indeed 2019!)
The full statement I was provided is below for your reference:
QUOTE FROM DARREN WICK, NINE DIRECTOR OF NEWS
“We took a bold decision to try something new with two women hosting the today show this year and regrettably that has not worked for the audience. We respect and value the enormous effort made by the team particularly Georgie and Deb throughout the year. Today we are announcing the new hosts, Allison Langdon and Karl Stefanovic. The whole the team will remain with Nine and the full line up of the Today Show in 2020 will be announced in due course.”
Thanks,
Vivienne – Mumbrella
Agreed – the decline in viewing numbers has nothing to do with the 2 hosts being women. As if Karl’s only best attribute is to be a man.
I can’t help but think that this has always been the plan…
Mr. Wick said the decision to try something new was bold, not that the appointment of two women was bold or brave. It just happens that the appointment of two presenters of similar gender is a change that may or may not work with the audience. I think this is considered “bold” when one is taking the risk of disturbing or upsetting an audience.
We live in a world where many people are afraid of being politically incorrect, and see a male/female combination as the right and proper way to do things. Of course, there is no rule and no good reason to attempt to balance gender in all cases of perceived high profile positioning.
Presenters are contracted employees in service of the program, and they are generally overpaid and overstated.
Presenters are not generally great intellects, great artists or great movie stars, but they are often perceived as, paid as, and treated as such.
The Kyles and Carl’s of this world have a cheeky edge that works. It’s rare and it’s worth gold and networks will pay for it. You cant replace that with nice natured people male or female.
Yes, they do, but it is not a natural phenomenon, and production and direction are still skills of some importance.
WICK ALSO IS BOSS OF TE MACQUARIE NEWSROOMS AS ON TODAY.
RETURNING TI TOPIC I EAMIED KARL THIS AFTERNOONVIA 2gb.com A NINE RADIO ASSET TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON HIS RETURN TO TODAY IN 2020,