Karl Stefanovic was dropped from the Today show late last year.
And now a new report claims that network bosses are ‘gunning for him’ and want the 44-year-old out altogether by March, when he completes the last of his filming on This Time Next Year.
The Daily Telegraph quotes an alleged source, who claims: ‘Karl has to film the final segments for his show This Time Next Year at the end of February and that goes into most of March and after that they want him gone.’
‘They want him gone by Easter’: Claims axed Today show host Karl Stefanovic (pictured) ‘could lose $6 million salary’ and depart the Nine network in March
That move could lead to Karl losing his $6 million salary, the paper claims, which is due to be paid over his remaining two years at the Nine Network.
A representative for Nine has denied the report and told the paper: ‘It’s just not true’ and they were ‘hoping to continue working with Stefanovic throughout the year.’
Reasons for the push, according to the paper, include Karl’s decision to publish photos of his luxurious Mexican wedding to Jasmine Yarbrough in rival media outlet, Who Magazine – reportedly without first seeking permission.
The Daily Telegraph quotes an alleged source, who claims: ‘Karl has to film the final segments for his show This Time Next Year at the end of February and that goes into most of March and after that they want him gone’
A representative for Nine has denied the report and told the paper: ‘It’s just not true’ and they were ‘hoping to continue working with Stefanovic throughout the year’
The recent ‘hacking’ scandal, which saw Karl claim that a mystery hacker had broken into his social media and had been ‘liking’ negative comments about the Today show, was also said to have caused anger and disbelief among network bosses.
Additional discord among execs was reportedly caused by Karl’s meltdown on Christmas Day, during which he was abusive towards a photographer at the Gold Coast airport – an exchange that was caught on video.
Looking furious, the Channel Nine star raged: ‘Take your f**king camera and get out that f**king door, it’s f**king Christmas.’
Wedding woes: Reasons for the push, according to the paper, include Karl’s decision to publish photos of his luxurious Mexican wedding to Jasmine Yarbrough (left) in rival media outlet, Who Magazine – reportedly without first seeking permission
‘Why are you shaking? Have you go some disease? Are you sick in the head? [Have] you got a s**t job? It’s Christmas Day. Go home!’
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Nine for comment.
On December 19, six days before the airport incident, Karl was unceremoniously sacked as co-anchor of the Today show after 14 years in the role.
Anger: Network bosses are also said to have become upset by Karl’s meltdown on Christmas Day, during which he was abusive towards a photographer at the Gold Coast airport, an exchange that was caught on video
The dramatic shakeup at the troubled breakfast program began when the Nine Network announced that Peter Stefanovic, 37, would be departing the show’s weekend edition, late last year.
Ousted shortly thereafter was Peter’s brother Kar, who was dropped from his hosting slot at the Today show during his honeymoon with Jasmine Yarbrough.
The exit of Peter’s wife Sylvia Jeffreys, 32, followed, with news she will be redeployed from the Today show to a prime time role at Nine.
Out: The dramatic shakeup began when Peter Stefanovic (second from left) departed the weekend edition. Out next was Peter’s brother Karl Stefanovic (second from right). Sylvia Jeffreys (far right) followed. She will be redeployed to a prime time role at Nine
The cull at Nine didn’t skip Richard Wilkins either, with the longtime entertainment reporter demoted and Triple J newsreader Brooke Boney brought on board.
Richard – who spent almost 25 years in the role – will be redeployed to second-tier show Today Extra but remain the entertainment editor at Nine.
It was revealed in early January that Deborah Knight will co-host the breakfast program alongside Georgie Gardner, replacing Karl, while Tom Steinfort will be the show’s newsreader, replacing Sylvia.
New line up: Deborah Knight (R) will co-host the breakfast program alongside Georgie Gardner, replacing Karl Stefanovic, while Tom Steinfort (L) will be the show’s newsreader, replacing Sylvia Jeffreys