Today show gets ratings boost during Malaysian Airlines crisis – as viewers float theory as to why host Karl Stefanovic might not be to thank for it

Channel Nine’s the Today show received a significant ratings boost on Tuesday during its reporting of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH122 crisis.

According to industry website TVBlackbox, the breakfast show typically attracts around 170,000 weekday viewers, but on Tuesday it drew in a relatively impressive 200,000 watchers.

And viewers took to the MediaSpy forums to suggest people particularly liked seeing sports presenter Alex Cullen fill in behind the Today show desk, alongside Sarah Abo, as Karl Stefanovic, 49, reported live from Sydney Airport. 

‘Today got a good ratings result for Karl at Sydney Airport – Brisbane seemed to love it. Send [Karl] out into the field more! Perhaps they liked Alex on the desk,’ one person wrote. 

Meanwhile, others joked Alex, 42, should become permanent co-host of the popular breakfast show to ensure its continued success.

‘Maybe Nine should let Karl have more extended holidays and see how Alex does in his place,’ one user quipped.

It comes after Karl Stefanovic was roasted by fans on Tuesday over his ‘terrible’ field coverage reporting on the aftermath of the Malaysia Airlines security incident.

The Today show host appeared live at Sydney Airport on Tuesday to follow up to the security scare that saw flight MH122 turned around after passenger Muhammad Ali Arif, 55, a dual Pakistani-Australian citizen, began making ‘threats’ to passengers and flight crew.

Viewers have taken the MediaSpy forums to suggest the ratings boost was because viewers particularly liked seeing sports presenter Alex Cullen (pictured) fill-in behind the Today show desk

Stefanovic struck viewers as nervous as he began his field interview with two aviation experts and tripped over his words several times.

Viewers were merciless in their criticism of Karl’s impromptu reporting style and took to the MediaSpy forums to roast him.

‘Karl doesn’t seem to be adding much being at the airport this morning IMO. He seems to be fumbling over his words and quite sweaty,’ one viewer sniped.

Some viewers suggested Cullen should become permanent co-host of the popular breakfast show to ensure its continued success

Fortunately, Karl seemed to gain his composure as the morning progressed and provided viewers with a clearer understanding of the frightening ordeal.

A Malaysia Airlines plane was forced to return to Sydney on Monday afternoon, after a passenger went on a crazed rant about Allah.

Dramatic video showed the man calling himself a ‘slave of Allah’ before challenging other passengers to repeat that they were also ‘slaves of Allah’.

He was arrested at Sydney Airport at around 7pm on Monday and spent the night in custody.

Karl Stefanovic was roasted by fans on Tuesday over his ‘terrible’ field coverage reporting on the aftermath of the Malaysia Airlines security incident 

It comes after a Malaysia Airlines plane was forced to return to Sydney on Monday afternoon, after a passenger calling himself Muhammad (left) went on a crazed rant about Allah