Nine’s brutal plot to replace Karl Stefanovic has reportedly been exposed with a series of high-profile names being lined-up to step in on Today.
Channel Nine is reportedly lining up several big TV stars to host Today as part of a Karl Stefanovic succession plan.
Producers hope to knock Seven’s Sunrise off the ratings war top spot as they plan a huge shake-up and ditch Stefanovic and co-host Sarah Abo.
Nine are looking to other popular broadcasters across their network, with Melbourne news anchor Tom Steinfort in the running, an insider told Media Diary.
Brisbane’s 6pm bulletin anchor Joel Dry has also been tipped to replace Stefanovic while the network could cause a huge upset by poaching Sunrise star Matt Shirvington.
Stefanovic, who recently launched a podcast, has fronted Today for over two decades, but his future with the network was called into question when it was revealed Nine had seemingly set a timer on his hosting duties.
Last year, Stefanovic and Abo had their contracts renewed for just 12 months, prompting rumours they would be replaced once their contract comes to an end.
During his 21-year reign as Today’s host, after replacing Steve Liebmann, Stefanovic has been partnered with several talented co-stars including Jessica Rowe, Lisa Wilkinson, Allison Langdon and Abo.
Last year, Seven once again dominated the breakfast television ratings, with Sunrise and Weekend Sunrise outperforming Today for the 22nd consecutive year.
Despite Today losing out in the ratings battle, Stefanovic remains the highest-paid breakfast television presenter in the country, reportedly earning a staggering $3 million a year.
That figure surpasses his breakfast TV rivals, with Sunrise hosts Shirvington and Natalie Barr reportedly earning around $1 million each annually, while Abo is said to earn about $800,000.
Stefanovic has enjoyed more than two decades at the helm of Nine’s breakfast show. Picture: Nine
Meanwhile, Stefanovic recently branched out from breakfast programing and moved into podcasting.
The broadcasting stalwart launched the brand new project on Sunday, January 25 with Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, as his first guest.
“I have this curious beast that lives inside of my head, and I’m about to unleash that beast,” Stefanovic said in the video, announcing the “exciting” new chapter in his career.
The father-of-four said he is now “free and independent” to speak with the people he is most “curious about”.
“People who have done amazing things, people who have stories to tell- that are just interesting,” he said.
The Nine Network stalwart has promised his podcast will be “unfiltered, unscripted, uncensored”.
Stefanovic opening episode with Ms Hanson racked up an impressive 214,000 views on YouTube while the second instalment with mixed martial artist Alexander Volkanovski garnered 14,000.