TV ratings war: Nine’s Today team told to ‘shape up or ship out’

The breakfast TV ratings war is set to get serious as ratings season begins, with sources saying Today team, including hosts Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon, were under scrutiny.

The hotly-contested breakfast television wars kick off again this week as Sunrise attempts to hold on to its lead and Nine throws everything at a comeback.

While the official ratings week doesn’t begin until next week, Monday is when executives at both major networks start firing the big guns, with industry observers believing ratings figures for the first weeks back on air will set the tone for the year.

With Seven’s The Voice Generations and Nine’s Married At First Sight both kicking off on Monday, network executives will be keenly watching where viewers will go.

Airing Holy Moley and MKR off the back of the Australian Open didn’t work for Seven in previous years, however The Voice Generations is tipped to be more successful.

However it will face tough competition from MAFS, which never fails to disappoint for the Nine network.

While Sunrise has held on to the number one breakfast show position for 18 years, many say 2022 could be the last hurrah for the program’s A-team, leaving the show staring down the barrel of major changes.

Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and David Koch. Picture: Julian Andrews

The contract of co-host David “Kochie” Koch finishes at the end of the year while rumours are rife this will be executive producer Michael Pell’s last year in the executive producer’s seat.

Sunday Confidential understands Pell, who has been running Sunrise for 11 years, is currently in contract negotiations and plans on taking a US role with the Seven network next year.

With viewer favourite Edwina Bartholomew now on maternity leave, Sunday Confidential hears not one person will take over her role.

Instead, a number of “insiders”, including Angie Asimus and Monique Wright, will step in on a rotating roster.

Today hosts Allison Langdon and Karl Stefanovic. Picture: Glenn Hampsaon

Over at Nine, well-placed sources tell Sunday Confidential the Today team, which includes Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon, have been told to “shape up or ship out” with “everything but the kitchen sink” being thrown at the 40-year-old program.

Rumoured changes include Scherri-Lee Biggs taking over as weather presenter after impressing bosses over the summer break, while Brooke Boney may be moved to a roving reporter role.

“Today has found its mojo,” one source said.

“Even though they didn’t win overall last year, Today had a pretty successful 2021 and claimed wins on the east coast in some markets.

“They will definitely provide strong competition this year.”

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