Karl Stefanovic dumped from Channel 9’s Today
Karl Stefanovic will not be returning to breakfast TV in 2019.The Daily Telegraph can reveal that after crisis talks at Channel 9 today, it was decided the high-profile co-host would not be returning to Today.
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- How it all fell apart for Peter Stefanovic
- Peter Stefanovic leaves Channel 9
- How Today could look in 2019
Karl Stefanovic will not be returning to breakfast TV in 2019.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that after crisis talks at Channel 9 today, it was decided the high-profile co-host would not be returning to Today.
After 14 years as anchor of the breakfast show, Stefanovic was given the news over the phone while on his overseas honeymoon with new wife Jasmine Yarbrough, the younger woman whose relationship with the TV star has tested the patience of Nine executives during the past two years.
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Stefanovic’s manager and friend Sharon Finnigan — and lawyers representing both Nine and Stefanovic — are said to have been present when Nine CEO Hugh Marks delivered the news to the 44-year-old newsman over the phone.
Karl’s former Today co-host Lisa Wilkinson has taken to Instagram acknowledge the news posting a series of photos of the pair and cryptic caption reading: “Wishing @karlstefanovic_ all the best. Because when it was good, it was great.”
Despite sitting next to each other for 12 years, Wilkinson did not score an invite to Stefanovic’s extravagant wedding in Mexico earlier this month.
Coincidentally, the news of Karl’s dumping came on Lisa’s 59th birthday.
Richard Wilkins has not spoken to his good mate KS since the announcement that the cohost was dropped from Today.
“I have not spoken to him,” he said.
Wilkins would not comment when asked if he was sad about the departure. The entertainment guru was adamant he would be back in 2019 despitespeculation he was also on the chopping block. “I am wedded to the show,” he said.
In a statement, Nine’s director of news Darren Wick said: “Nine and Karl Stefanovic have agreed it is time for him to step off the Today Show. Karl remains on contract with the network and will continue to host This Time Next Year, which records in February.
“For over 14 years Karl has been at the centre of the Today Show bringing his unique personality and perspective to the day’s news and current affairs.
“An announcement on the new line up and format of the Today Show will be made in the coming weeks.”
In the same statement, Stefanovic said: “For the last 14 years I’ve co-hosted the best show on television. I can’t thank Nine enough for the opportunity. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be good enough to host this grand show for so long.
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“Thanks to our viewers mostly, you are what matters most. It’s been a tough time. Thanks for hanging in there. I look forward to seeing you in another capacity at this great Network soon.”
Nine bosses were expected to let Stefanovic see out his contract, which finishes at the end of 2019, but decided to act swiftly after Today co-host Georgie Gardner and the network itself became targets in the fallout from Stefanovic’s recent Mexican wedding.
On Monday celebrity magazine New Idea claimed Gardner has been paid “hush money” by Nine to weather the Ubergate scandal that broke earlier this year.
Darren Wick yesterday slammed the report as “insulting” and “gutless” and denied any payment to Gardner had changed hands.
During a well-reported careless discussion in a rented car, Stefanovic and his younger brother and mentee Peter were overheard criticising network colleagues, including Gardner, who they said was too “neutral” and needed to “step up” as Stefanovic’s co-host.
Peter Stefanovic was dropped by Nine yesterday after 15 years with the network. His contract is up this week.
Stefanovic is renowned for his cavalier attitude that saw him infamously host the program drunk after a Logies’ ceremony.
The program’s ratings slipped to less in 200,000 in 2018 costing the program revenue along with a large portion of its female viewing audience.
Stefanovic is four years into a five-year $15 million contract with the network so questions remain over how he will see out his tenure.
Top level executives were called into meetings this morning, with the future of several of the network’s high profile breakfast TV talent in limbo, meaning it could be the end of the long-running Today Show as we currently know it.
Well-placed sources have told The Daily Telegraph that Peter’s departure is just the beginning of a major talent shake-up for the both the weekday and weekend Today shows.
The turmoil comes just two weeks after Today show boss Mark Calvert “stepped down” amid a year of disastrous ratings for the program.
ACA boss Steve Burling was announced as Calvert’s replacement just five days later.
The Telegraph last week broke news that Peter Stefanovic had been moved from his hosting duties on Weekend Today with insiders blaming the Ubergate scandal and poor ratings as the reason behind sending the reporter packing after 15 years with the network.
There is also speculation looming over Today’s ageing entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins.
Meanwhile Karl, 44, and his new wife Jasmine Yarbrough, are currently on their honeymoon in Aspen, and were spotted on a double date with long-time mate James Packer and his new partner Kylie Lim at a Japanese sushi restaurant yesterday.
