Fresh off her emotional departure from Channel Nine after welcoming her first child, industry insiders reveal the 39-year-old television star is poised to cross network lines in a high-stakes Melbourne newsroom reshuffle
In what is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic network defections in modern Australian television history, former Today show co-host Sarah Abo is reportedly set to make a high-profile switch to rival network Seven News Melbourne.
The 39-year-old journalist—who confirmed her departure from Channel Nine after seven years to embark on a “new chapter” following the birth of her first child—is currently at the center of intense industry speculation regarding her next career milestone.
Her exit from Nine caps off a turbulent period for the network’s morning flagship, occurring just months after her former long-time on-air partner, Karl Stefanovic, parted ways with Nine in June following the severe public backlash surrounding his independent podcast interview with British far-right figure Tommy Robinson.
However, while Nine executives attempt to stabilize their morning lineup with newly announced hosts Tom Steinfort and Sylvia Jeffreys, Seven Network executives are quietly positioning themselves to land one of the most bankable and respected talents in Australian broadcast journalism.
“A NEW CHAPTER”: ABO BIDS EMOTIONAL FAREWELL TO NINE
Abo, who joined Nine in 2017 as a celebrated investigative reporter for 60 Minutes before stepping into the high-pressure Today show co-anchor role in 2023, announced her permanent resignation in a deeply personal statement published on social media.
Currently on maternity leave after welcoming her son Sonny in July, Abo expressed profound gratitude to the viewers who welcomed her into their living rooms every morning during her three-year tenure on the morning desk.
“Words can’t express how grateful I am to our viewers for letting me into your homes to be part of your morning routine.
Without you, there is no Today Show,” Abo wrote.
“Together with 60 Minutes, I’ve spent my time at Nine chasing stories, travelling and reporting from all over the world, interviewing some incredible and inspiring people from all walks of life.
Becoming a mum has heralded a new chapter and sharing that with our audience has been truly special.”
While Abo framed her departure around the life-changing journey of early motherhood, senior media analysts insist that her proven journalistic pedigree and extraordinary rapport with Victorian audiences made her an immediate target for commercial rivals the moment her contract situation shifted.
THE SEVEN STRATEGY: REBUILDING MELBOURNE’S RATINGS DOMINANCE
According to industry reports, Seven is exploring a strategic reshuffle of its Melbourne news operations, with Abo identified as the key talent capable of shifting competitive momentum in the highly contested southern market.
Sources familiar with the discussions indicate that Abo could initially be introduced on weekend bulletin broadcasts—a move designed to give her flexibility as she navigates life with a newborn while allowing the network to measure audience response in real time.
If ratings perform favorably during her initial stint, the network’s broader strategy involves transitioning Abo into a marquee weeknight co-anchoring role alongside veteran presenter Peter Mitchell, who has served as the trusted face of Seven News Melbourne for nearly three decades.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Seven scooped her up to bolster its Melbourne newsroom – Sarah is adored by viewers in Melbourne,” an industry source revealed.
“If it works, she will move into the weeknights role,” another insider added, noting that Seven would grant Abo a designated promotional window to drive audience growth before finalizing long-term desk arrangements.
While Seven Network representatives have officially dismissed the reports as speculative—maintaining that no formal co-anchoring agreement alongside Peter Mitchell is currently finalized—media insiders view the denial as standard network diplomacy during sensitive contract negotiations.
A CRUSHING BLOW TO CHANNEL NINE’S NEWSROOM MORALE
Behind the scenes at Channel Nine’s Docklands studios, Abo’s departure is being acknowledged as a severe loss to the network’s journalistic depth and brand integrity.
Having established herself through hard-hitting international field reporting before proving her versatility on unscripted live morning television, Abo built a reputation among production staff and executives as one of the most grounded figures in commercial media.
“Sarah’s such a down-to-earth, genuine person, which made her so relatable to viewers and adored by colleagues,” a Nine insider shared.
Her exit leaves Nine searching for long-term stability after losing two primary network anchors within a three-month window.
Following Stefanovic’s abrupt departure in June, Abo carried the Today desk through high-risk medical complications and early maternity leave, maintaining her trademark professionalism until her final sign-off.
For Channel Seven, acquiring a prime-time presenter who possesses both investigative authority and deep viewer warmth represents a rare market opportunity.
As Network Seven prepares to roll out its revised 2027 programming roster, Abo’s potential arrival at the Melbourne news desk could deliver the decisive edge needed to reshape prime-time news ratings across Victoria for years to come.