His superior pay packet is allegedly the main reason his former co-host Lisa Wilkinson stormed out the door at the Today show.
But Karl Stefanovic has wanted to do the same for some time and has been kept at the show ‘like a hostage’, according to a network executive.
The executive revealed on Saturday that more than a decade of 3am alarms is enough for the 43-year-old, who would like to move on from the show that brings him in a multi-million dollar salary, The Saturday Telegraph reported.
‘Karl has been begging to get off there forever’: Network executive says Karl Stefanovic wants out from the Today show but is being kept there ‘like a hostage’
Network insiders believe the remaining Today show host is the favourite to replace Tracy Grimshaw on A Current Affair when she either retires, or takes a spot on 60 Minutes.
The prospect of Karl taking up a spot on the evening current affairs program would represent the ‘dream’ scenario for the network, who is continuing to assess its options since Lisa defected to Network Ten on Monday night.
‘Karl has been begging to get off there forever and surprise, surprise, the joint has imploded because they never listened to this bloke. They haven’t let him off and he’s been like a hostage,’ a network executive told the publication.
‘There is a strong possibility that Tracy moves from A Current Affair, either to call it a day or to do special features on 60 Minutes, and that way Karl goes in to ACA and it leaves a clean slate for the morning.’
Over it: The executive revealed on Saturday that more than a decade of 3am alarms is enough for the 43-year-old, who would like to move on from the show that brings him in a multi-million dollar salary, according to reports
Shake up: Network insiders believe the remaining Today show host is the favourite to replace Tracy Grimshaw (pictured) on A Current Affair when she either retires, or takes a spot on 60 Minutes
Clean slate: The prospect of Karl taking up a spot on the evening current affairs program would represent the ‘dream’ scenario for the network, who is continuing to assess its options since Lisa (pictured) defected to Network Ten on Monday night
ACA and Nine News are the only programs that would justify his salary of more than $2million, the executive said.
The executive added: ‘They will be holding out until the end of the year, so they are not rushing into making a decision.’
Tracy is coming off her contract, but has also been on the radar of Channel 10 since it began receiving the financial support from American network CBS, The Saturday Telegraph reported.
Karl departing the Today show would leave the network scrambling to fill two hosting positions, when it is yet to fill one.
Multi-million dollar man: ACA and Nine News are the only programs that would justify his salary of more than $2million, the executive said
Assessing options: Karl departing the Today show would leave the network scrambling to fill two hosting positions, when it is yet to fill one
Snubbed: Newsreader Sylvia Jeffreys was overlooked as a short-term replacement for the program
Newsreader Sylvia Jeffreys was overlooked as a short-term replacement for Weekend Today host Deborah Knight, which allegedly created tension on set.
Meanwhile, Sylvia’s predecessor Georgie Gardner remains favourite to take the over the reigns from Lisa on a permanent basis.
Lisa will join The Project to host alongside Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar from January 2018.
Tension: Weekend Today host Deborah Knight hosted the show after Lisa quit, which allegedly created tension on set
Jumping ship: Lisa will join The Project to host alongside Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar from January 2018