Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon reflect on one of ‘the most testing of years’ hosting Today

Karl Stefanovic made an early comeback to the Today show in January, alongside new co-host Allison Langdon.

And after covering some of the biggest news, the Channel Nine breakfast presenters reflected on their hard work over the past year. 

Karl, 46, said in a statement to TV Tonight on Friday: ‘It has been the most testing of years right from the very start all the way through to Christmas.’

Looking back: This week, Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon reflected on one of ‘the most testing of years’ hosting the Today show

He shared his well wishes and hoped audiences enjoyed the festive season after a difficult 12 months, as he thanked viewers for tuning in. 

Allison echoed her co-host’s sentiments about spending the enjoying the festive season with family, after what she said was a ‘year that’s given us everything.’ 

The duo kicked off the year on January 5, two days before the new look team – comprised of Karl, Allison, newsreader Tracy Vo and sports presenter Alex Cullen – were scheduled to make their debut together.

New look: The duo kicked off the year on January 5, two days before the new look team – comprised of Karl, Allison, newsreader Tracy Vo and sports presenter Alex Cullen – were scheduled to make their debut together

They began their broadcast with special edition coverage of the devastating bush fires that ravaged the country.

Today’s 2020 line-up followed a year of abysmal ratings with Georgie Gardener and Deborah Knight at the helm. 

Only 191,000 metro viewers tuned in on their final morning together, last year.

While Sunrise dominated the ratings as the top breakfast program this year, Channel Nine has had wins over their Channel Seven rival.

In September, Today claimed victory in the east coast capitals of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, pulling a combined average audience of 191,000 – which was more than Sunrise’s 189,000.

Ratings fail: Today’s 2020 line-up followed a year of abysmal ratings with Georgie Gardener and Deborah Knight at the helm. Only 191,000 metro viewers tuning in on their final morning together, last year

Still on top: Sunrise, hosted by Samantha Armytage and David ‘Kochie’ Koch, was still the most-watched breakfast TV program across the five capital cities, with a viewership of 259,000 compared to Today’s 229,000

But the Channel Seven program, hosted by Samantha Armytage and David ‘Kochie’ Koch, was still the most-watched breakfast TV program across the five capital cities, with a viewership of 259,000 compared to Today’s 229,000.

The small gains made by the new look Today team could see them knock Sunrise out of the top spot when they return in 2021.

Nine’s Director of Morning Television, Steven Burling, said that over the year: ‘More and more Australians have returned to Today for not only their daily fix of news, sport and weather – but also to share their breakfast table with a team who are not just experienced journalists; they also know how to have a laugh, invariably at themselves!’ 

Back in 2021: The small gains made by the new look Today team could seen them knock Sunrise out of the top spot when they return in 2021. Pictured on the right is Brooke Boney