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News Corp doubles down on Carrie Bickmore story, says Nine did approach her for Today Show gig

News Corp is doubling down on its reports that Ten’s Carrie Bickmore was approached by rival Nine to join its breakfast program Today alongside a revived Karl Stefanovic.

Nine categorically denied the allegations, calling the story a lie and saying that the reporter, Amy Harris, was told prior to print that it wasn’t factual.

Bickmore has fronted The Project for 10 years. Her contract is reported to be up at the end of the year

News Corp, however, has denied the facts of the story were incorrect.

A News Corp Australia spokesperson said it’s easy for talent to deny being approached, but that the story is correct.

“As many people in the media know, approaches to talent are often made in ways that can be plausibly denied,” said the spokesperson.

“The Sunday Telegraph stands by its report that an approach to Carrie Bickmore was made.”

Nine’s director of news and current affairs, Darren Wick, released a statement on the weekend denying the story, saying Nine has no plans to approach Bickmore.

“Nine has not approached, and does not intend to approach, Carrie Bickmore or her representatives about joining Nine as a host of the Today Show, nor in any other role.”

The original report in the Tele suggested that the offer made to Bickmore was around $1.5m per annum – a salary which would make her one of Australia’s highest-paid TV stars. Her new role would see Deb Knight and Georgie Gardner ousted from the Today program and replaced with Bickmore and Stefanovic, who was pushed out in December after hosting the show for 14 years.

Stefanovic’s departure followed that of Lisa Wilkinson who left amid pay discussions to join rival network, Ten. She now hosts The Sunday Project, with the Telegraph claiming she would step into Bickmore’s weeknight shoes should the host leave.

Bickmore has been with The Project since it commenced 10 years ago. Her contract is reported to be up at the end of 2019.

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