Karl Stefanovic calls whole Sunrise panel ‘boring’

Karl Stefanovic has reignited a breakfast TV feud that’s been the subject of rumours for more than a decade.

On Wednesday, the 43-year-old Today co-host publicly criticised rival Sunrise on-air for the first time since 2015, calling the panel of David Koch, Samantha Armytage, Mark Beretta, Edwina Bartholomew and Natalie Barr ‘boring.’

It appears viewers disagree with Karl, who – along with his breakfast cohorts – hasn’t won a ratings week since Lisa Wilkinson was his co-host.

 The fight is on! Karl Stefanovic reignites historic feud with Sunrise by calling the whole panel ‘boring’ – but viewers disagree as Seven continues to thrash Nine in breakfast ratings

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, a Channel Seven representative pointed out: ‘Sunrise has extended their lead further in 2018.’

‘Today has not won a single ratings week in either measure (five-city metro or nationally) this year.’

Over the last fortnight, Nine’s breakfast show has enjoyed one win in the all-important Metro 5 capital city figures – Sunrise has claimed the other 9.

Disagree? It appears viewers disagree with Karl, who - along with his breakfast cohorts - hasn't won a ratings week since Lisa Wilkinson was his co-host

Disagree? It appears viewers disagree with Karl, who – along with his breakfast cohorts – hasn’t won a ratings week since Lisa Wilkinson was his co-host

Today’s only victory was on Monday June 4, with the program mysteriously pipping Sunrise by just 2,000 viewers (236,000 to 234,000).

Over the past two weeks of episodes, Sunrise has averaged a daily figure of 262,600 metro viewers, well ahead of Today with an average of 231,600.

Despite the huge deficit, Karl has voiced his belief that Sunrise’s panellists are ‘boring’ and unwilling to support local content and the hardworking staff behind the scenes.

Grinners! Over the last fortnight, Nine's breakfast show has enjoyed one win in the all-important Metro 5 capital city figures - Sunrise has claimed the other 9

Grinners! Over the last fortnight, Nine’s breakfast show has enjoyed one win in the all-important Metro 5 capital city figures – Sunrise has claimed the other 9

The embattled groom-to-be hadn’t publicly criticised his ratings-dominant rivals since 2015, when he criticised Sunrise for broadcasting in Hawaii for a week.

‘I don’t know why they’ve gone there when they could be holidaying and doing their thing in Australia, and promoting Australia,’ he told News Corp in March that year.

Sunrise’s executive producer Michael Pell hit back at the accusation, saying broadcasting from the US holiday island is like ‘bringing our viewers with us on a holiday’.

'Boring': On Wednesday, the 43-year-old Today co-host publicly criticised rival Sunrise on-air for the first time since 2015, calling the panel of David Koch, Samantha Armytage, Mark Beretta, Edwina Bartholomew and Natalie Barr 'boring'

‘Boring’: On Wednesday, the 43-year-old Today co-host publicly criticised rival Sunrise on-air for the first time since 2015, calling the panel of David Koch, Samantha Armytage, Mark Beretta, Edwina Bartholomew and Natalie Barr ‘boring’

Fight is on! For the first time in three-years, Sunrise producer Michael Pell, 35 (Left), found himself labelling Karl a hypocrite, lashing out on Twitter shortly after Today finished airing on Tuesday

Fight is on! For the first time in three-years, Sunrise producer Michael Pell, 35 (Left), found himself labelling Karl a hypocrite, lashing out on Twitter shortly after Today finished airing on Tuesday

Karl’s comments were perceived as somewhat of a contradiction since the Today Show team went to the US themselves six-months earlier. 

They broadcast the show from several location including Times Square in New York and Universal Studios in California.

Sunrise v Today: The ratings war 

For years, the Nine Network’s Today show and Channel Seven’s Sunrise have been locked in a bitter ratings war.

Sunrise, hosted by Samantha Armytage and David Koch, is currently on top nationally and in metro figures.

Today, presented by Karl Stefanovic and Georgie Gardner, is suffering from comparatively lacklustre ratings.

Journalist Peter Ford claimed last year that Karl’s personal life may be a reason for the low numbers, his high-profile divorce having turned off female viewers.

Today did enjoy a metropolitan ratings boost earlier this year thanks to the ‘golden touch’ of Married At First Sight, according to News.com.au.

However, these viewers returned to Sunrise after MAFS concluded and Today stopped airing regular interviews with the cast members.

According to a Seven representative: ‘Sunrise has extended their lead further in 2018.’

‘Today has not won a single ratings week in either measure (five-city metro or nationally) this year.’

 

Just like back in 2015 it was Michael, 35, who was the only member of the Sunrise team to publicly condemn Karl’s latest comments. 

‘I hear our opposition isn’t coming this year. What, they’re too good to support the local industry?’ Karl said of Sunrise’s decision to boycott the Logies on the Gold Coast this year.

 ‘[Are they too good] to support their own network colleagues who have been lucky enough to be nominated for their hard work?

‘Well, we don’t want you there anyway. You’re all boring!’

For the first time in three-years, Michael found himself labelling Karl a hypocrite, the Sunrise producer lashing out on Twitter shortly after Today finished airing on Wednesday. 

‘Bit rich, Karl. First you said you’d boycott the Logies if they moved from Melbourne. Now you’re slamming Sunrise for not attending?’he wrote on Twitter.

‘The exercise is simply too costly for us in 2018. Responsible budget management [equals] supporting local industry.’

He added: ‘Let’s talk about supporting the local industry. How many producers, camera operators, sound recordists, editors, researchers, directors, DAs, lighting technicians, TDs, floor managers… actually get invited to the Logies?

‘What’s the number? That’s what we should be looking at.’

This time he was backed up by Samantha, who tweeted: ‘I agree @karlstefanovic we are boring. So boring you can’t stop talking about us on your show…’

By the numbers: Today vs Sunrise (over the last fortnight)

Monday 4 June: Sunrise 234,000 / Today, 236,000

Tuesday 5 June: Sunrise 287,000 / Today 240,000

Wednesday 6 June: Sunrise 262,000 / Today 224,000

Thursday 7 June: Sunrise 251,000 / Today 245,000

Friday 8 June: Sunrise 282,000 / Today 232,000

Monday 11 June: Sunrise 249,000 / Today 209,000

Tuesday 12 June: Sunrise 260,000 / Today 219,000

Wednesday 13 June: Sunrise 251,000 / Today 242,000

Thursday 14 June: Sunrise 262,000 / Today 237,000

Friday 15 June: Sunrise 288,000 / Today 232,000

Monday 18 June: Sunrise 248,000 / Today 221,000 

Tuesday 19 June: Sunrise 245,000 / Today 224,000 



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