Danika Mason appears to be making the most of a little extra rest as she prepares to welcome her first child.
The Channel Nine sports reporter has skipped the earliest hours of Today for two consecutive mornings, arriving later than her usual start time as her pregnancy progresses into its later stages.
With a baby girl on the way, the small but noticeable change to her morning routine has naturally caught the attention of early-morning viewers—particularly after Danika recently shared the joyful news live on air with her Today family.
A Second Morning Without the Early Start
The Logie-nominated sports reporter, who normally begins her demanding workday around 5:30 AM to prepare for pre-dawn broadcasts, reportedly arrived at Channel Nine’s studios at approximately 7:00 AM on both Thursday and Friday.
These later arrivals come as Danika prepares for a major new chapter in her personal life. She is expecting a daughter with her fiancé, former NRL player Liam Knight, with their baby girl due to arrive in December.
While Danika has previously revealed to viewers that the most difficult, physically exhausting morning-sickness stage has finally eased, it seems she is still taking every opportunity to slow her pace when possible.
In an industry notoriously relentless with its schedules, taking an extra hour or two of rest during the pre-dawn hours is a welcome adjustment for the expecting mother.
Channel Nine has been approached for comment regarding the schedule shift, but on-screen, the atmosphere surrounding her temporary routine change remains overwhelmingly supportive.
Danika’s Joyful Pregnancy Announcement on Today
Danika first revealed her pregnancy live on Today back in July, sharing the deeply personal news with her on-air colleagues and millions of viewers across the nation in an emotional television moment.
Her co-hosts—including Sarah Abo, Tom Steinfort, Richard Wilkins, and Jayne Azzopardi—were among those celebrating alongside her on set. The Today team even surprised her with a special celebration cake live during the broadcast to mark the occasion.
During the broadcast, Danika explained why it was so important for her to share the milestone directly with the show’s loyal audience:
“So Liam and I are expecting a little baby.”
She then joyfully revealed that the couple are expecting a little girl in December.
The timing of the announcement was particularly special given that fellow co-host Sarah Abo was also expecting at the time, prompting Danika to lightheartedly describe the studio environment as a “little baby boom” unfolding behind the scenes at Today.
The Difficult Early Months Are Finally Behind Her
When Sarah Abo asked her on air how she had been feeling physically throughout the journey, Danika candidly admitted that the beginning of her pregnancy had presented significant challenges.
She revealed that she had been “quite sick early on” during those intense first few months, but was feeling considerably better and more energized by the time she made her public announcement in July.
Danika was quick to praise the immense support she received from her Channel Nine colleagues during those tough early weeks.
She shared that her team actively looked after her, keeping a close eye on her well-being even when she was struggling through severe nausea during her grueling early-morning commutes to the studio.
And amid the chaotic flurry of pregnancy symptoms, there was one particularly memorable craving that stood out above the rest.
Danika confessed that the exact moment she realized she was pregnant, her mind became entirely consumed by an intense craving for chicken schnitzels—a funny detail that drew warm laughs from her co-hosts on set.
Liam Knight Is “Over the Moon”
Danika also shared how her fiancé, former NRL star Liam Knight, reacted to the news of their expanding family.
She revealed that he was absolutely thrilled from the moment they found out and is eagerly anticipating his new role as a father.
“Liam is over the moon. He’s so excited. He’s ready to be a girl dad.”
For the couple, the upcoming arrival of their daughter marks another major milestone in a relationship that first caught public attention last year.
Their journey together has moved at a whirlwind pace, grounded in strong mutual support as both navigate transitions in their respective careers and personal lives.
From New Romance to Preparing for Their First Child
Danika and Liam officially went public with their relationship in July 2024, several months after Danika’s high-profile split from her former fiancé, Todd Liubinskas.
After months of media speculation regarding her personal life, the couple confirmed their romance on social media, with Liam sharing an affectionate photo of the pair embracing.
At the time, Liam captioned the post with a simple, heartfelt message:
“My life’s good.”
Now, a little more than a year after making their relationship public, the pair are actively preparing to step into parenthood together.
From navigating public scrutiny to building a quiet life away from the cameras, their relationship has rapidly evolved into a partnership focused on family.
Navigating the High-Pressure Demands of Breakfast Television
Adapting to a slightly later start on a premier morning program like Today highlights the physical realities of modern television journalism.
For years, Danika Mason has maintained one of the most grueling schedules in Australian sports media.
Her routine regularly required 4:00 AM alarms, rapid preparation, and instant live commentary on major NRL developments and national sporting events.
Transitioning from that high-octane pace to a slightly adjusted morning schedule reflects a modern, sensible approach to workplace health for pregnant women in high-stakes media roles.
Channel Nine’s flexibility in accommodating her schedule allows Mason to continue delivering her sharp sports expertise to morning audiences without sacrificing the vital rest needed during her third trimester.
The supportive workplace culture has resonated strongly with viewers.
Watching the Today newsroom rally around Mason—from sharing pregnancy advice to adjusting broadcast lineups—delivers an authentic, relatable human element that extends far beyond daily sports reporting.
A Very Different Kind of Countdown
Danika’s later starts at the studio may seem like a minor schedule adjustment on paper, but they signify an incredible personal transition as the sports reporter enters one of the most transformative periods of her life.
With her December due date fast approaching, the pre-dawn rush of breakfast television is naturally taking a temporary backseat to the arrival of her baby girl.
For now, as she balances her final broadcast commitments with preparing her home for a newborn, Danika is choosing to prioritize her health and enjoy every extra hour of rest she can get—cheered on by her colleagues, her fiancé, and viewers across the country.