Australia’s 2024 TV ratings season kicks off in grand style as big guns revealed

Massive panel shake-ups rocked the TV world in 2023, but 2024 is shaping up to be just as big as the networks roll out their big guns. Here’s a look at how our on-air talent is shaping up.

It was a relatively quiet off-season for on-air talent after 2023’s massive TV panel shake-ups.

Olympian Matt “Shirvo” Shirvington ably stepped into the very big shoes of veteran David Koch, the only exception to a relatively stable year for big names on our screens.

While Seven claimed the ratings mantle, the door’s wide open for Nine to reap the benefits of its Paris Olympics coverage.

Ratings season kicks off in grand style next Monday, January 29, with the three commercial networks bringing out their big guns: Australian Idol (Seven), Married At First Sight (Nine) and Australian Survivor (Ten).

Here’s our look at how 2024 is shaping up for Australia’s on-air talent:

Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington proved to be a hit. Picture: Supplied.

BREAKFAST

Sunrise (Seven): Natalie Barr, Matt “Shirvo” Shirvington, Sam Mac, Edwina Bartholomew, Mark Beretta

Today (Nine): Karl Stefanovic, Sarah Abo, Brooke Boney, Alex Cullen, Tim Davies

ABC News Breakfast: Michael Rowland, Lisa Millar, Tony Armstrong, Nate Byrne, Bridget Brennan

Gone: Studio Ten axed after a decade on air following dwindling ratings, budget cuts and shifting line-ups.

Studio 10 has been officially axed. Picture: Channel 10

David “Kochie” Koch announcing his retirement from the Seven breakfast show in May and handing over the reins to Shirvo in June seemed a golden opportunity for Nine’s Today show to close the breakfast TV gap.

Viewers had warmed to the new partnership of Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo, after a previous somewhat revolving door of female hosts. But, as the record shows, despite the rollercoaster year of upheavals on the Sunrise team, the show maintained its breakfast TV crown for the 20th year. It also increased its lead over Today, attracting more than 30 per cent more viewers nationally and almost 15 per cent more in the capital cities.

David Knox, of online blog TV Tonight, said Seven’s pivot to Matt Shirvington was about as “seamless as you can get”.

But, it wasn’t all bad news for Today – as Stefanovic and Abo celebrated at their end-of-year wrap party, with T-shirts declaring their show Australia’s No.1 breakfast show (on four occasions in November). Knox agrees there’s still hope for Nine’s brekkie team in 2024.

“Abo has been a breath of fresh air on Nine’s breakfast,” he said.

“Today nabbed a handful of wins in 2023 and will be hoping the tennis and MAFS bring a halo effect to their numbers.”

And while ABC hasn’t achieved the lofty ratings heights of 2022 when it came runner-up on a number of occasions to Sunrise in 2022, it has certainly cemented itself as the serious option.

“Change in viewing habits does not come easily but no doubt ABC’s Michael Rowland and Lisa Millar are happy to offer their morning alternative on News Breakfast,” Knox said.

Sarah Abo has been described as a “godsend” for Today. Picture: Belinda Rolland

Social media says:

Sunrise:

“Changes yes but you have all blended together beautifully. Thank you for brightening my mornings.”

“Best move with Shirvo coming on board, sensational team and all the team in front and behind the cameras.”

“Can we please call him Matt not Shirvo. We are not in high school. But other than that he’s brilliant. Brings joy to the show.”

Today:

“I have really enjoyed watching you both, it won’t take long to be the No.1 breakfast show every day.”

“Congratulations the only breakfast show on in this house. Sarah you have been an absolute godsend addition to The Today family.” ️

“(Karl) ………is……….an……….unfunny……….non entity! Grow up! How you have that job is beyond comprehension!.”

ABC:

“With all due respect, could we get rid of the chat dribble that seems to reflect Sunrise and the other morning shows. Could the ABC get back to reporting the news and current affairs instead of food.”

Allison Langdon is the new host of A Current Affair. Picture: Channel 9

Sarah Ferguson took over the ABC’s 7.30 in 2023. Picture: Supplied

CURRENT AFFAIRS

60 Minutes (Nine): Tara Brown, Liz Hayes, Amelia Adams

New Faces: Adam Hegarty, Dimity Clancy

Gone: Tom Steinfort and Sarah Abo

Spotlight (Seven): Ross Coulthart, Liam Bartlett, Michael Usher

A Current Affair (Nine): Allison Langdon

The Project (Ten): Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris, Sam Taunton, Georgie Tunny, Hamish McDonald, Michael Hing

Waleed Aly and Sarah Harris on The Project. Picture: Supplied

Nine’s flagship current affairs program has given itself a shot of youthful energy, adding fresh faces Adam Hegarty and Dimity Clancy to the 60 Minutes line-up. It follows the departure of Tom Steinfort, now reading the 6pm news in Melbourne, and Sarah Abo, who is now concentrating on her role as a presenter for Today.

Knox says 60 Minutes doesn’t always enjoy the “must-see” status it once held, but Nine’s Nick McKenzie has filed some impressive investigative reports,” Knox said.

However, he cautions Channel 7’s Spotlight – which attracted controversy over its payment of former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann’s accommodation as part of his contribution to two exclusive interviews on the program – needs to avoid becoming too tabloid.

“But it must have been dining out on a few wins over its rival (60 Minutes) last year.”

Meanwhile, Langdon has easily made the nightly ACA hosting role her own. Drawing on her years of experience on 60 Minutes and Today, she easily showed how she interviews anyone from the Prime Minister to movie stars with ease.

“ACA wins its slot day in, day out which is a big win for Ally Langdon given the shift from Tracy Grimshaw,” Knox said, adding Langdon’s interrogation of Ray Martin over his Referendum comments was one of the year’s most fascinating moments.

“Largely because it was the show’s own patriarch being taken to task by the next gen. It was gobsmacking, ugly and hilarious all at the same time.”

While there’s a nice chemistry between the changed-up weeknight hosts and Sunday Project team, plus fresh opinions with the rotating roster of guest panellists including Rove McManus, Kate Langbroek, Liz Ellis and Nick Cody, it hasn’t translated to ratings magic.

“There is a perception problem with The Project, now seen by too many as a polarising show,” Knox said.

The domino effect is the added pressure on prime time entertainment shows coming off such a low base, Knox added.

“They will be hoping to get a little boost in ratings with Grant Denyer’s Deal or no Deal in the lead in, rather than 90 minutes of Ten News,” he said, adding that if the network wants to give its entertainment schedule a stronger lead-in “it needs to make some hard decisions where it matters most”.

Tom Steinfort is now reading Nine’s Melbourne news. Picture: Channel 9

Dimity Clancey has made the move to 60 Minutes. Picture: Supplied

Social media says:

60 Minutes:

“Great appointments – well deserved.”

ACA:

“God we love you as a person and a presenter.”

“Love you, but the way you went for Ray Martin isn’t OK. You’re part of the media perpuating the ‘sensationalist angle of the story’. Do better. Be better”.

The Project:

“I like this panel. Georgie Tunny my favourite.”

“It’s so bloody good to have Rove on Fridays. He is too good at his job, a bloody awesome human being and makes the show sooooooo much fun. Please, please makes your presence on The Project permanent.”

“The most Far Right program on TV. It started good, now is rubbish.”

“Bring back The Brady Bunch or Family Feud instead!”

Lisa Millar and Michael Rowland host ABC’s News Breakfast. Picture: Supplied

GAME SHOWS

Returning: The Chase Australia – Larry Emdur (Seven)

New: Tipping Point Australia – Todd Woodbridge (Nine), Deal or No Deal – Grant Denyer (Ten)

Gone: Millionaire Hot Seat – Eddie McGuire (Nine)

Todd Woodbridge will host Australia's version of Tipping Point. Picture: Channel

Both Tipping Point and host Woodbridge have big shoes to fill, taking over from Australia’s longest running game show and veteran host Eddie McGuire. It also faces a mighty uphill battle to pip The Chase Australia. The local version of game show, which began airing in 2015, has emerged as a ratings juggernaut for Seven. And in a huge coup, it managed to attract the most eyeballs over all TV entertainment programs in late May, including those in the coveted 7.30pm slot from prime time powerhouses, such as Ten’s MasterChef.

Knox is concerned that the Nine’s attempt to jazz up the Australian version could backfire.

“Tipping Point is a traditionally gentle game show into which Nine has sought to inject extra fireworks and jeopardy for an important timeslot,” he said.

“Let’s face it – its sole purpose is to drive viewers into the 6pm news so you’d hope those changes don’t alienate a loyal, predominantly older, audience.”

One of Australia’s most-loved presenters Denyer will return to the 6pm slot that earned him his Gold Logie five years ago — as host of one of the world’s most popular game shows – Deal or No Deal. It’s part of Ten’s strategy to re-energise the early evening schedule. Knox says it could go either way for the network.

“Peppy Grant Denyer has his work cut out against news bulletins, though the network has a checkered history of game shows in the slot,” he said.

Grant Denyer will re-energise Deal or No Deal. Picture: Supplied

Social media says:

Tipping Point:

“You needed a better, nicer host than him for this show.”

“I actually like this show. Sometimes you’re on the edge of your seat. Plus you learn a few things.”

The Chase Australia:

“Larry, I love The Chase, you’ve made it your own, hence the fantastic ratings. You’re a great guy, with a big smile and quick wit.”

“I have loved The Chase since the English version. You are by far the best host.”

Deal or No Deal:

“The world needed GD back hosting a game show.”

“I mean, I’d rather you do Family Feud, but this will be AWESOME”

Originally published as Australia’s 2024 TV ratings season kicks off in grand style as big guns revealed