Today show slides in ratings

The Today Show has lost another ratings battle. 

The breakfast television program came third after rivals, Channel Seven’s Sunrise on and ABC’s News Breakfast, every day this week, reported The Guardian. 

The ratings slide was documented by OzTAM, marking more bad news for the show. 

It comes after Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon were been told to ‘shape up or ship out’ ahead of the ratings season next week. 

According to a report in The Sunday Telegraph, executives are planning on throwing ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ at the program. 

A source close to the breakfast show says bosses are planning to make a number of changes including Scherri-Lee Biggs as permanent weather presenter.

Big year: Today’s Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon (both pictured) have been told to ‘shape up or ship out’ after losing the overall ratings war last year, according to a report in The Sunday Telegraph – amid talk of some big changes for the Nine breakfast show 

Entertainment reporter Brooke Boney could also be made a ‘roving reporter’ for the show, according to the report. 

However, the source told the publication it isn’t bad news for the show with Nine saying it has found its ‘mojo’ again this year. 

‘Today has found its mojo,’ the one source said.

Strong competition: ‘Even though they didn’t win overall last year, Today had a pretty successful 2021 and claimed wins on the east coast in some markets,’ the source said 

The source went on to say the program won a number of wins in the east coast market last year.  

‘Even though they didn’t win overall last year, Today had a pretty successful 2021 and claimed wins on the east coast in some markets,’ they added.  

The source finished by saying the pair will provide ‘strong competition’ this year. 

Despite Sunrise winning the 18-year breakfast war battle – Today wrapped on a high last year following the end of the ratings season. 

Changes: A source close to the breakfast show says bosses are planning to make a number of changes including Scherri-Lee Biggs (pictured) as permanent weather presenter

According to a report in TV Tonight, ratings for Nine’s popular breakfast program have greatly improved over the last year, as more Aussies have tuned in for the news coverage and light-hearted moments between the team. 

‘It’s been a challenging year as the pandemic and repeated lockdowns have taken their toll on Australians of all ages,’ said Nine’s Director of Morning Television, Steven Burling.

‘During this time of crisis more and more viewers have made their breakfast program of choice for their daily news updates, and some much-needed laughs along the way.’

Role change: Entertainment reporter Brooke Boney (pictured) could also be made a ‘roving reporter’ for the show, according to the report. Pictured: Sydney, 2021

‘For Karl, Ally, Alex, Brooke and Tim (as well as the wider production team) it’s been a privilege to be welcomed into our audience’s homes, each and every day,’ he added.

Today show scored the biggest ratings improvement. 

However, Sunrise still won the overall ratings battle with it helmed by David Koch and Natalie Barr following the departure of Samantha Armytage.   

Domination: Seven’s Sunrise team is still dominating in the ratings having won the overall season last year. Pictured: Presenters Nat Barr and David Koch

Wrap: Today was rated as the number one breakfast show in 2021 for all key demographics in Sydney, Melbourne in Brisbane

According to ratings statistics provided by the Nine network, the Today show was the ‘only breakfast show in Australia to grow its audience year on year in total people across the five (major cities)’.

Today was rated as the number one breakfast show in 2021 for all key demographics in Sydney, Melbourne in Brisbane.

It rated highest in the 25-54, 16-39 and GS and child demographics from the five major metro cities.

Today performed best in Melbourne and Brisbane for total people and has seen big improvements year on year for total people in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

The figures: According to ratings statistics provided by the Nine network last year, the Today show was the ‘only breakfast show in Australia to grow its audience year on year in total people across the five (major cities)’