Karl Stefanovic ‘fired up’ for Today return
Nine’s CEO says returning host Karl Stefanovic is ‘fired up’ to resume his role on Today.
Nine Entertainment boss Hugh Marks has defended the return of Karl Stefanovic to its television network's ailing breakfast show Today next year, saying he is refreshed and "fired up".
The media company confirmed Stefanovic's return as co-host of Today, along with new on-air partner Allison Langdon, on Saturday, after The Australian's Media Diary reported on Thursday that he would return if he took a big pay cut.
Stefanovic was sacked from Today in December after 14 years, but remained on a hefty $2 million a year contract, hosting Nine’s This Time Next Year and occasionally on 60 Minutes. His contract runs out next year in December.
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"At the time when he came off the show, he was burnt out and he wasn't performing, and he would recognise that now. We certainly saw it at the time. It was unsustainable," Mr Marks told journalists on the sidelines of Nine's annual shareholder meeting in Sydney on Tuesday.
"If I look at Karl now, he's ready for the game again.
"He's fired up and really up for the challenge, and whatever you say, he is a brilliant performer in that format. So I think it's the right time with him in the right place, with the right partner to come back to that show.
"And I think he'll give it his all, and that we can't ask any more," said Mr Marks, who declined to talk about Stefanovic's remuneration.
Mr Marks is a fan of Langdon, but said time would tell if she was the right on-air partner for Stefanovic following the departure of co-host Georgie Gardner.
"It will be seen in practice,” he said. “She's a strong journalist, but has a great I think mood, and a great tone, for morning television.”
Mr Marks said recent coverage of bushfire outbreaks showed Langdon was a “performer”.
“She's got that performance, so I think the two of them together as performers, in what is a performance-based show, I think will be a great combination," Mr Marks said.
Mr Marks’ comments followed Nine’s profit warning on Tuesday morning, which the company blamed on a tough advertising market.
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