News

Tim Gilbert confirms departure from Today Show

The final movement in the Today Show shuffle on Nine has been confirmed, with Tim Gilbert departing the program on Friday.

Viewers and media speculators had been asking questions since Nine announced its new line-up over the weekend, which failed to mention Gilbert. 

Today has been in a state of flux recently, with rival Sunrise on Seven increasing its ratings lead over the program.

Long-term host Lisa Wilkinson departed in 2017 after contract negotiations broke down. She was then replaced by former newsreader Georgie Gardner.

The program’s executive producer and Nine’s director of morning television, Mark Calvert, also departed in December last year, and was replaced by executive producer of A Current Affair, Steven Burling.

Then Karl Stefanovic was ousted from the program, and Sylvia Jeffries also moved on.

This year, it was revealed Deborah Knight will fill the void left by Stefanovic, with 60 Minutes reporter Tom Steinfort taking on newsreading duties.

The network also announced former ABC personality Brooke Boney would join as entertainment reporter, with Nine stalwart Richard Wilkins creating space for her by taking on an expanded role on the later-running Today Extra.

Now, Gilbert, the show’s sports presenter for over four years, has also confirmed he’s finishing up.

On Twitter, he said “it will be nice to unplug the alarm for a while”.

When Knight and Steinfort’s appointments were announced, Nine had also revealed Melbourne sports presenter Tony Jones would join the line-up.

Darren Wick, Nine’s director of news and current affairs, said the new line-up would spearhead an energised and exciting Today Show in 2019.

“Today in 2019 has a new focus,” he said. “But the show will retain everything that’s made it an institution for four decades. The perfect mix to start your day – news, information you can use and fun.”

The new line-up starts on Monday, 14 January.

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.