Today eyes comeback with fresh co-hosting combo

The morning show hopes the chemistry between new co-hosts Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner will win viewers back.

Channel Nine executives are hoping the chemistry between Today’s new co-host team Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner will revive the show’s fortunes.

The success of Nine’s overhauled Today breakfast show, which hit the small screen this morning, will come down to the chemistry between new co-host Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner, advertising executives say.

After a difficult 2018, which culminated in the axing of unpopular Karl Stefanovic as co-host of Today after 14 years last month, there is a lot of pressure on the two journalists to win back viewers and prove that senior Nine executives made the right decision.

It is the first time in Australian TV history that two women will co-host a breakfast show, in a bid to catch up to rival Sunrise on Seven. In the US, NBC’s Today show is co-hosted by journalists, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, following the sacking of Matt Lauer in 2017 for alleged sexual misconduct.

Pete Bosilkovski, joint chief executive of advertising agency VMLY&R, said Nine’s decision to go with two female co-hosts was a “brilliant” move.

“Why try and emulate the success of your competition, when you can create your own history?

“The success of the show will come down to the chemistry of the hosts. Audiences are attracted to the chemistry and engagement of the hosts and I believe this makes or breaks a show.

“If they click on air, audiences will feel it and it will drive engagement viewership,” Mr Bosilkovski told The Australian.

Lucie Jansen, head of investment at media agency Blue 449, said Nine’s decision to cast Knight alongside Gardner, who took over from Lisa Wilkinson last year, won’t come as a huge surprise to many as she is “well regarded and has history with the program”.

Knight now gets her chance to step into the forefront, she added.

Ms Jansen rejected industry talk that Knight was appointed because she was a woman.

“I don’t believe the network has casted the show based on gender, but more likely on the best talent for the role and most crucially the chemistry between the duo, which will be key in winning back a greater share of audiences.”

Today’s ratings started to come under pressure after Stefanovic split from first wife Cassandra Thorburn after 21 years in 2016, and a few months later was spotted with Jasmine Yarbrough.

The show took another hit last year in March when Stefanovic and his brother and colleague, Peter Stefanovic, were secretly recorded by their Uber driver criticising Nine’s management, the network’s current affairs program 60 Minutes and Gardner.

Karl Stefanovic married Yarbrough in a lavish wedding in Mexico last month and was sacked from Today while still on honeymoon.

Mr Bosilkovski believes the show, which has been on air since 1982, can win back viewers.

“People grow to love personalities and before the Today show Karl was an unknown.

“If the new-look show and hosts are entertaining and engaging audiences will come back. In fact, they have an opportunity to lure new audiences,” he said.

People either sought comfort in routine or wanted something new, Mr Bosilkovski said.

“It’s the reason why we get hooked on watching shows like MKR (My Kitchen Rules) and The Block, we get hooked by new personalities and want them in our living rooms daily.”

In addition to Knight, Nine announced on January 5 the appointment of journalist Tom Steinfort as Today’s new newsreader. Steinfort, who has worked on the network’s other shows, ­including A Current Affair and 60 Minutes, has replaced Sylvia Jeffreys, who is married to Peter Stefanovic.

The revamped Today will also feature Melbourne sports presenter Tony Jones, Nine finance editor Ross Greenwood and former ABC journalist and Triple J newsreader Brooke Boney as entertainment reporter.

Boney has replaced long-serving entertainment reporter Richard Wilkinson.

Nine’s chief sales officer Michael Stephenson said Today’s new executive producer, Steven Burling, and national director of news and current affairs Darren Wick had done “a great job in assembling a really fresh, new panel of people to host that show”.

“It’s obviously very important to us. People wake up with Today, and it’s a big focus for all of us at Nine. But, of course, these things take time and I can’t wait to see the show on Monday morning, but you know we should judge its success over the long term,” Mr Stephenson told The Australian.

Peter Stefanovic, who often hosted the weekend edition of the Today show, parted ways with Nine last month after 15 years in various roles.

Journalist Tim Gilbert left Today on Friday, completing the big clear out.

Karl Stefanovic will continue to host Nine’s reality show This Time Next Year, and has two years left on his $2 million-a-year contract with the broadcaster.