Sunrise claims Today show is copying their on-air moves
Not content with Today’s ratings capitulation, Sunrise insiders have accused its program directors of copying their show, prompting Today to counter that Sunrise is in fact the guilty party.
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Not content with Today’s ratings capitulation, Sunrise insiders have accused its program directors of copying their show, prompting Today to counter that Sunrise is in fact the guilty party.
When Sunday Confidential approached Nine with Sunrise’s claims Today had replicated its breakfast rivals directorial choices, we expected the usual “no comment”.
But bosses of the beleaguered program are fighting back, as their responses below illustrate.
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The new stoush comes as the gap between the two programs widens, with Sunrise’s five city metro numbers coming in this week at 286,000, well ahead of Today’s 198,000 viewers.
Tension between the two networks regarding their flagship breakfast programs has been long running, with Seven famously taking Nine to court in 2016 for claiming its Today show was No.1 in Australia.
Seven argued that Nine couldn’t make the claim as Sunrise remained ahead on average combined metro and regional audience across the year.
They agreed on an out-of-court settlement, but not before Today’s former executive producer Mark Calvert, branded Seven “bad losers” and likened his rival’s behaviour to a “narky kid”.
The battle continues.
SUNRISE CLAIM
Today announced a Marry In The Morning competition this week where they do a TV wedding with two viewers. Sunrise did a TV wedding last year and it was called Marry In The Morning.
TODAY RESPONSE
Not true: Today has a long tradition of hosting marry in the morning competitions that stretch back to 2003 when Tracy Grimshaw and Steve Liebmann were hosting the program. Locations for previous Today marry in the morning weddings include Hayman Island and Sydney’s Botanical Gardens.
CLAIM
Today watch Sunrise’s 5.30am opener and change their opener to mirror it, so when the 7am opener runs it’s near identical to Sunrise’s.
RESPONSE
Not true: Sunrise mirror Today’s openers, and we are flattered they have realised our news coverage sets the morning agenda.
CLAIM
Today regularly change the locations and stories of their reporters in each city to match Sunrise’s.
RESPONSE
Not true: Both shows regularly chase the same stories, as do newspapers. One day last week Today was broadcasting at a Melbourne fire 45 minutes before a Sunrise reporter came on scene.
CLAIM
Today have introduced a round couch — same as Sunrise — and didn’t previously have one. Today use it between 7.30 and 8am — once again, same as Sunrise.
RESPONSE
Not true: Our soft area has had numerous looks over the years and is used in various setups at any time that best works for the show.
Originally published as Sunrise claims Today show is copying their on-air moves
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