Channel Seven’s ‘private glee’ over Allison Langdon’s departure from Nine’s Today

The Today show’s newest host Sarah Abo has been described as a ‘secret weapon’ in the ratings war against Sunrise. 

But sources within the ranks at Seven say Allison Langdon’s shift to A Current Affair spells disaster for the embattled breakfast program. 

According to Media Diary, Sunrise bosses believed Allison’s electric chemistry with co-host Karl Stefanovic was finally posing a real threat to ratings juggernaut Sunrise. 

With Langdon gone, Seven bosses are reportedly confident Nine has obliterated its chance of overtaking Seven in the breakfast ratings. 

‘They’ve weakened their position in the real battleground. Anyone can host A Current Affair, but breakfast TV is a different game,’ an insider said.  

Meanwhile, Nine’s confidence around the new pairing of former 60 Minutes host Abo and Stefanovic is reportedly high due to one major factor – the looming departure of Sunrise veteran David Koch.

60 Minutes’ Sarah Abo (right) will replace Langdon as co-host of Nine’s Today Show, alongside current host Karl Stefanovic (left) 

Koch – who has personally overseen 20 years of ratings dominance for Seven’s breakfast show since starting as a fill-in host in 2002, will begin to scale back his workload in 2023 and is set to completely step away by the end of 2024.

It’s understood the popular TV veteran, regarded internally at Seven as Sunrise’s ‘backbone’ and ‘a ratings powerhouse’, has negotiated for greater flexibility in his schedule and will reduce his hours until his contract expires.

‘After 20 years, I’ve felt I needed more flexibility in my life with my wife Libby and my business interests,’ Koch told The Australian in October. 

With Langdon gone, Seven bosses are reportedly confident that Nine has obliterated its chance of overtaking Seven in the breakfast ratings 

‘So when I mentioned leaving to Seven, (CEO) James (Warburton) very kindly asked me whether we could work together on a plan that I wanted, which also kept my connection to the network and my focus on Sunrise.’

However the prospect of a ‘Koch-free’ future comes as a welcome relief for Nine with network insiders saying Today may finally have a run at the top breakfast ratings spot thanks to ‘clear air for the first time in 20 years’.

‘Kochie leaving marks a huge opportunity for Today – there is no denying that,’ a Nine insider said.

Meanwhile, Nine’s confidence around the new pairing of former 60 Minutes host Abo and Stefanovic is reportedly high due to one major factor – the looming departure of Sunrise veteran David Koch. Pictured: Natalie Barr and David Koch on the set of Sunrise  

‘He is a breakfast TV behemoth. He has underpinned Sunrise’s dominance for two decades. 

‘The idea of a breakfast TV landscape without him gives Today clear air for the first time in 20 years and there is a real sense of opportunity here.

‘It means Karl will now be the most senior presence on either show… and that could resonate with viewers.’ 

However it’s crucial Abo and Stefanovic strike the right chemistry, with producers said to be happy to give the new pairing several months – even up to a year – to find their footing.

‘By that stage you get a sense of whether its really working. But Koch’s departure will no doubt also be forefront.’ 

Koch (left, with Natalie Barr in the late ’90s) was an unlikely choice when he was promoted to co-host of Sunrise in 2002 – but he has held the role for two decades and is considered a key factor in the Channel Seven show’s ratings success