Samantha Armytage has reportedly made it known she’s keen to take on a major Channel Nine gig after months of swirling rumours.
Samantha Armytage has told Channel Nine execs that she’s keen to replace pregnant Today Show host Sarah Abo if or when she goes on maternity leave, an industry source has claimed.
The 49-year-old Golden Bachelor host has long been linked to a potential role on the network’s flagship breakfast program, even stepping in for Abo, 39, during the Christmas break.
Now, just days after Abo, 39, publicly announced she is expecting her first child, a television insider claims Armytage has already expressed interest in temporarily filling the seat.
Samantha Armytage in Nine hospitality John Cain Arena during the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park Saturday, January 24, 2026. Picture: TENNIS AUSTRALIA/FIONA HAMILTON
“Sam has to be a shoo-in to replace Sarah,” the source told New Idea.
“This was never planned, but Sam is throwing her hat in the ring for the gig.
“It’s exactly the type of situation she’s been after- a permanent role but not one that will go on forever.”
Speculation surrounding Armytage’s potential role on Today is nothing new.
Last year, rumours circulated that the former Sunrise host, who co-hosted the Channel Seven breakfast program alongside David ‘Kochie’ Koch, might replace Abo as Karl Stefanovic’s co-host.
However, Armytage shut down the speculation during an interview with 2GB host Ben Fordham in October.
“Sarah and Karl are fantastic,” she said.
“You know how it goes, people talk. But I am very happy in prime time – Golden Bachelor is where it’s at for me. I’m quite content with my little lot in life, thank you.”
Sam Armytage at the VIP Preview of the Golden Bachelor held at Event Cinemas in Sydney. Picture: Christian Gilles / NewsWire
Around the same time, both Abo and Stefanovic, 51, reportedly signed new contracts with Nine, locking in their roles on Today until at least the end of 2026.
It is also understood that Abo enlisted high-profile celebrity accountant Anthony Bell- who also represents Armytage- to handle her contract negotiations.
Abo, who replaced Ally Langdon on the Today desk in 2022, is rumoured to earn about $800,000 per year, while Stefanovic is reportedly paid around $2 million annually.
Meanwhile, Stefanovic has previously made it clear he values his on-air partnership with Abo.
“In this game, there’s stuff you have control of and there’s stuff you don’t. At any point on any given day, I can be replaced. The show is bigger than I am,” he told Stellar.
Pictured ahead of recording a podcast in Sydney is Samantha Armytage and Karl Stefanovic in May 2022. Picture: Richard Dobson
“I don’t see Sarah ever being replaced. And I genuinely have no interest in working with anyone else.”
Stefanovic, who launched his own podcast earlier this year, emphasised that his feelings were not directed against Armytage.
“That’s not a slight on Sam. I’ve done 20 years, and I don’t know about going through all that with another person. I’m closer to the end than the start. That’s the reality.”
The speculation comes as Today continues to trail Channel Seven’s Sunrise in the breakfast TV ratings battle, with hosts Matt Shirvington and Natalie Barr maintaining a steady lead so far this year.
Armytage, who hosted Sunrise from 2013 to 2021, recently wrapped filming the second season of The Golden Bachelor, with the insider suggesting the timing could work in her favour.
“It would be marvellous to see if Sam can pull in some audience from her former home at Sunrise. It’s just the type of stunt Nine needs,” the source said.