Real reason Sonia returned to Seven
Sonia Kruger’s sideways leap from Channel 9 to Seven last week had been whispered about in television circles for the past month. So what was it that led to her making the move?
Opinion
Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Knightley blows the whistle on new political thriller
- What the Maclunkey have they done to Star Wars?
Sonia Kruger’s sideways leap from Channel 9 to Seven last week had been whispered about in television circles for the past month.
With her contract up for renegotiation and Today Extra’s ratings in the toilet — particularly on the nation’s west coast where the program rated a zero in Perth earlier in the year (for the week ended Friday it pulled 97,000 to The Morning Show on Seven’s 144,000 in five capital cities) — her spot on the show had, or so insiders informed this column a month ago, become tenuous.
Nine have officially denied this but with the network searching for a berth for about-to-be- dumped Today hosts Georgie Gardner and Deb Knight it isn’t hard to see why Kruger’s position started to look vulnerable.
Perhaps sniffing the wind, it was Kruger who would finally pull the pin at Nine — the vivacious presenter choosing to jump, perhaps, rather than be pushed by a network that has been cultivating an embarrassment of gorgeous blonde presenters in recent years, though few with the luminous personality of Kruger.
Sources say that worn down by the grind of morning television and missing spending her days with young daughter, Maggie, 4, Kruger had representatives instigate talks with Seven on her behalf not long after the appointment of new Seven CEO James Warburton in August.
MORE FROM ANNETTE SHARP
Six women left behind during Stefanovic’s on-off Today reign
Revealed: Karl Stefanovic’s $1m ‘image’ gamble
“She is excited by James’s return to commercial television and his plans to turn Seven around at prime time,” an insider said last week. “There are lots of opportunities for a talent like Sonia at Seven.”
Seven is said to have offered Kruger a three-year-deal — which according to reports was worth $500,000-a-year — which Nine was prepared to match.
When Seven improved its offer, Nine offered no further financial sweetener, prompting Kruger to give notice, sources claimed yesterday.
She finished up on Friday — earlier than might have been expected and without much network fanfare, unless you happen to be one of Today Extra’s meagre audience who were treated to packages of Kruger clowning on set with co-host David Campbell.
Kruger’s contract with Nine expires on December 31 — meaning Seven’s announcement concerning their new star could be weeks off.
For Seven and Warburton, Kruger’s signing flags an intention to restoke the fires of major event television particularly at prime time where Seven has been woefully light on in recent years.
Media speculation has had Kruger linked to almost every family entertainment show Seven is launching in 2020.
Australia’s Got Talent, Big Brother, the as-yet-untitled golf show Holey Moley and The All New Monty are all up for grabs with Kruger expected to front a couple of shows at Seven where she is said to be well-liked by Warburton.
“Having hosted three major strip franchise programs in the past — Big Brother, The Voice and Dancing With The Stars — Sonia has shown she holds her own with the best television hosts in the country,” said a Seven Network insider.
The move leaves Nine poised to make a decision about Kruger’s replacement on The Voice and Today Extra.
With Deb Knight expected to remain as newsreader on Today, it is expected that Georgie Gardner will now move back to the weekend 6pm newsreading slot — a move that could be considered a win for both women; Knight may enjoy not being under so much pressure while Gardner keeps Peter Overton’s coveted 6pm weeknight newsreading gig in her sights.
As for Today Extra, the jury is out, although sources are of the view that with the well-liked Sylvia Jeffreys headed off to have a baby in February, Kruger’s job could go to Brooke Boney, an appointment that would allow Karl Stefanovic’s favourite playmate, Richard Wilkins, to officially return to the job he has turned into an enviable lifestyle.
annette.sharp@news.com.au
Twitter: @InSharprelief