How Seven will use Kruger after confirming TV’s worst-kept secret
Sonia Kruger’s defection from Nine to Seven wasn’t exactly a secret but we finally have a glimpse of how the 54-year-old’s new network will use her in 2020. CHECK OUT THE SHOWS
Confidential
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She’s the “one who got away” but Channel 7 has big plans for Sonia Kruger to star in the network’s prime time line-up for 2020.
A week after the presenter farewelled Channel 9 in an emotional send-off on Today Extra, Kruger has confirmed the industry’s worst-kept secret — she has defected to rival Seven.
“I’m beyond excited to be returning to the network where I first discovered my love of live television and family entertainment,” Kruger, 54, said in a statement.
“With the upcoming Olympics in Tokyo and a slate of brand-new prime-time shows, Seven is the place to be,” she said. Seven West Media chief executive James Warburton said Kruger has signed a “multi-year deal” and will next year front new series Mega Mini Golf, a family-friendly reality competition.
Mr Warburton said she would also join the judging panel for Australia’s Got Talent: The Champions and be part of the broadcasting team for the Tokyo Games.
“She’s the one that got away,” Mr Warburton said of Kruger, who previously worked at Seven for 14 years before switching to Nine eight years ago.
“She was always so quick-witted, so much fun to be around but more importantly, just brilliant on air.
“Sonia really connects, she connects with such a diverse age group.” Mr Warburton, who wouldn’t be drawn on reports Kruger was earning up to $1 million a year, said the mother-of-one was also a “contender” to host Big Brother.
Kruger previously fronted the reality series for Nine between 2012 and 2014.
“We haven’t made any decision on who the host is but obviously Sonia would be a contender,” Mr Warburton said. “Everyone just assumed that’s what Sonia would be doing and she’d love to do it but we just need to work through that.”
With her contract at Nine expiring at the end of next month, Mr Warburton revealed he approached Kruger to jump ship at the Perth Telethon in late October, when she attended the event with her partner, Seven’s head of news and current affairs Craig McPherson.
“There was sort of a window. I spent a bit of time with her at the telethon and I said ‘Sonia, are you coming back to Seven?’” he said.
On Australia’s Got Talent, Kruger will replace French-born chef Manu Feildel, with the talent program expected to air prior to the Tokyo Olympics.
For Mega Mini Golf — known as Holey Moley in the US — Kruger will host alongside two commentators yet to be announced.
“It’s very family,” Mr Warburton said of the extreme putt-putt series.
“It’s a very broad show that is a lot of fun.”
Last month Seven unveiled its line-up for 2020 including revamped versions of My Kitchen Rules and House Rules to compete with Nine juggernauts such as Married At First Sight and Australian Ninja Warrior.
“Viewers will watch the formats but they need to see a point of difference and they need ... revitalisation to the shows,” Mr Warburton said.
“There needs to be a reason to come back.”
But Mr Warburton isn’t concerned about Karl Stefanovic back on Today, saying the chemistry on Sunrise was “absolutely fantastic”.
“Nine never won with Karl,” he said.
“The one thing that you can absolutely guarantee is we’re not going to say anything stupid about it because we’ve just got to be on our game and do what we do.”