Why Channel 9 won’t get rid of Karl Stefanovic

While Karl Stefanovic might have lost top billing as Today host, there’s a good reason why Nine won’t dump him completely.

He might have lost top billing as Today host but Karl Stefanovic’s days at Channel 9 aren’t numbered just yet.

While Stefanovic has been dumped from Nine’s breakfast slot, TV commentator David Knox thinks it is unlikely the veteran reporter will be shown the door by the network when his contract expires at the end of 2019.

Knox, who runs blog TV Tonight, told news.com.au the network had historically been reluctant to dump its big name talent, even when they proved divisive with audiences.

“As we see with Sam Newman, Nine is reticent to cut talent loose only to see them resurface at another network,” he said.

Karl Stefanovic won’t be leaving Nine anytime soon. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“The idea of paying him out on his current salary is also not an option. Despite the issues surrounding his personal life, Karl is still very good talent with plenty of working years ahead.”

Nine’s next challenge is deciding where they want Stefanovic to go, with a low profile news reporting role favourable to the network.

“It’s a question of where to redeploy him after This Time Next Year concludes. Let’s not forget he has filed many stories for 60 Minutes,” Knox said.

“Within the framework of a reporting team he is less in the bull’s eye than a breakfast TV anchor but there is also the question of how ‘Ubergate’ caused friction within Nine circles.”

Former Footy Show host Sam Newman

But Stefanovic’s new role would come at a price, with Knox predicting his next contract with Nine would “clearly entail fewer zeros”.

In a statement on Wednesday, Nine news director Darren Wick confirmed Stefanovic was leaving Today as host after 14 years.

“Nine and Karl Stefanovic have agreed it is time for him to step off the Today show,” the statement read.

“Karl remains on contract with the network and will continue to host (his other show) This Time Next Year.”

Stefanovic was dropped from Today after 14 years as host

Stefanovic was axed while on his honeymoon, with Nine bosses reportedly making the decision because his lavish wedding to Jasmine Yarbrough earlier this month was deemed toxic to viewers.

A Nine insider told the Sydney Morning Herald: “Yachts and big overseas weddings don’t translate to Today’s audience.”

Stefanovic’s second marriage also sparked a furious reaction from his ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn, who labelled the TV star a “fake” in an interview with New Idea .

His dumping came after a horror year for the Gold Logie winner and his brother Peter Stefanovic, who announced on Tuesday that he was leaving Nine altogether.

Stefanovic’s Mexican nuptials proved toxic to viewers

Karl Stefanovic and brother Peter Stefanovic. Picture: Instagram

It came nine months after the high-profile siblings were embroiled in the messy public scandal dubbed “Ubergate”.

A phone call was reportedly recorded by an Uber driver while Peter and his wife, Today newsreader Sylvia Jeffreys, were in the back of his car late at night, speaking to Karl on speakerphone.

During the 45-minute conversation, which was reported in New Idea, the brothers attacked Nine colleagues Richard Wilkins, Georgie Gardner, Mark Burrows and network bosses in a sensational spray.

The brothers both publicly apologised for the damaging conversation as the story exploded.

“We talk a hundred times a day and hardly ever about work,” Karl told The Sunday Telegraph. “But we did, and the conversation was recorded. And we are sorry. I was angry with myself at first that I could be so stupid.”