It appears that Channel Nine is cleaning house after news that Peter Stefanovic has officially ‘parted ways’ with the network after 15 years.
In early December, The Today show’s executive producer Mark Calvert also made an abrupt exit, announcing he was ‘stepping down’ after ‘five rollercoaster years’.
And now, rumours surrounding the future of Karl Stefanovic, Sylvia Jeffreys and even Richard Wilkins are swirling.
Is Channel Nine cleaning house? Weekend Today’s Peter Stefanovic (left) and executive producer Mark Calvert are out amid rumours of a shake up that could see Karl Stefanovic and Sylvia Jeffreys (right) ‘replaced’ while Richard Wilkins future is questioned
Despite repeated denials from Channel Nine in recent weeks that Peter Stefanovic, 37, was set to depart, the network confirmed news of his exit on Tuesday.
Similarly, Channel Nine has also denied reports that Karl Stefanovic and Richard Wilkins are shifting from their roles at the Today show.
In a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday, a spokesperson confirmed that Peter, who hosts Weekend Today, would not return to the network.
‘Peter has decided to explore new opportunities and is looking forward to spending weekends with his wife,’ the statement read.
‘He has been a respected member of the Nine News team and Weekend Today, and we wish him all the best for the future.’
Out: It appears that Channel Nine is cleaning house after news that Peter Stefanovic has officially ‘parted ways’ with the network after 15 years
Questions: And now rumours about the futures of Karl Stefanovic (pictured), Sylvia Jeffreys and even Richard Wilkins are swirling
Peter told Daily Mail Australia that it has been a ‘privilege’ to work at Channel Nine for over a decade.
‘I’ve had an amazing time at Nine being a foreign correspondent, News reporter and covering some amazing stories for 60 minutes,’ he said.
‘I’ll miss my friends at Nine very much, it has been a huge privilege to work alongside so many great people.’
The announcement comes after The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday that the Weekend Today host ‘will be out of contract with his employer Nine at the end of the month’.
Controversy: In March, brothers Peter and Karl (pictured) were embroiled in an ‘Ubergate’ scandal after their private conversation in a taxi was leaked to the public
The report quoted an unnamed industry source and saying: ‘Nine has dropped Peter Stefanovic from hosting Weekend Today and he’s going back to the newsroom.’
However, a Channel Nine spokesperson denied the report to Daily Mail Australia last week, insisting that axing rumours were ‘not true’.
The dramatic exit for Peter comes after a controversial year for the Stefanovic brothers.
In March, Peter and Karl were embroiled in an ‘Ubergate’ scandal after their private conversation in a taxi was leaked to the public.
In trouble? An insider told Woman’s Day in March that the scandal could cost Peter his job. Karl has also faced headlines in recent months claiming that he could be ‘axed’ from Today
During the conversation, New Idea alleged that Peter took several swipes at his role on Weekend Today and the famous brothers reportedly slated their employer, Nine.
‘I hate working news, I’m dying on the inside and it makes me feel horrible,’ Peter allegedly said to Karl, according to the Uber driver.
‘The life is draining out of me. I’m so much better than this and can do so much more, it’s the worst four days each week and I should be doing more.’
An insider told Woman’s Day in March that the scandal could cost Peter his job, as he is ‘far more replaceable’ than brother Karl.
Get better? In September, Channel Nine chief executive Hugh Marks revealed that Karl’s job is safe for now, but everyone on the show – ‘especially Karl’ – needs to lift their game. Karl is pictured on Today with Georgie Gardener
Karl has also faced headlines in recent months claiming that he could be ‘axed’ from Today in the new year, following two years of declining ratings.
In September, Channel Nine chief executive Hugh Marks revealed that Karl’s job is safe for now, but everyone on the show – ‘especially Karl’ – needs to lift their game. `
However with confirmation of his younger brother’s ousting, talk has again turned to to how secure Karl’s future on Today really is.
Rumours have persisted for some months that the embattled Today show host may depart the network after sliding ratings and a series of controversies.
Over: The start of the program’s downward spiral can be traced back to September 2016, when it emerged Karl had separated from his wife and the mother of his three children, Cassandra Thorburn (left). Pictured in 2008
Amid a blaze of negative headlines, Karl’s divorce, his new marriage and his attitude towards colleagues, have tarnished his public image.
As a result, the Today show has nosedived in the ratings, plunging to a 12-year low in recent months.
The start of the program’s downward spiral can be traced back to September 2016, when it emerged Karl had separated from his wife and the mother of his three children, Cassandra Thorburn.
A few months after the split, the 44-year-old began dating former-model-turned-shoe-designer Jasmine Yarbrough, who is nine years his junior.
New love: A few months after the split, the 44-year-old began dating former-model-turned-shoe-designer Jasmine Yarbrough (right), who is nine years his junior
Happy day: The pair were married during a lavish four-day wedding in Mexico earlier last weekend. Jasmine and Karl are pictured at their wedding
The pair were married during a lavish four-day wedding in Mexico earlier last weekend.
In the months following his split with Cassandra, market research by Channel Nine reportedly showed that Karl’s popularity with female viewers was plummeting.
Entertainment journalist Peter Ford said last year: ‘The Today show ratings are bad. At the moment they’ve done private market research at Nine into Karl and it’s coming up that women have turned on him.’
Today’s ratings have been declining steadily since Karl began dating Jasmine in late 2016, recently hitting that humiliating 12-year low.
Fury: Karl found himself at the centre of a gender pay gap controversy in October last year when his co-host Lisa Wilkinson resigned after management refused to pay her the same salary as he earned. Lisa moved on to The Project
Not mates? Behind-the-scenes tensions with Lisa’s replacement, veteran journalist Georgie Gardner (right), also didn’t help Karl’s public image at the start of 2018
Of course, Karl’s personal life isn’t the only reason for his diminishing popularity.
He found himself at the centre of a gender pay gap controversy in October last year when his co-host Lisa Wilkinson resigned after management refused to pay her the same salary as Karl.
Channel Nine CEO Hugh Marks said at the time that Karl was paid more because he had more responsibilities at the network, including his prime time show This Time Next Year, and because Lisa had several commercial agreements outside Nine.
Lisa has moved on to a new role, and now helms The Sunday Project.
Whine: While on that fated speakerphone call with his brother Peter, Karl was ‘overheard’ by an Uber driver complaining about his-co-host Georgie (right) and other colleagues, and the details of his private conversation were leaked to New Idea
Behind-the-scenes tensions with Lisa’s replacement, veteran journalist Georgie Gardner, also didn’t help Karl’s public image at the start of 2018.
The animosity between the two presenters reached an apex when the so-called ‘Ubergate’ scandal made headlines in March.
While on that fated speakerphone call with his brother Peter, Karl was ‘overheard’ by an Uber driver complaining about his-co-host Georgie and other colleagues, and the details of his private conversation were leaked to New Idea.
According to the magazine, he had criticised his female co-anchor for ‘sitting on the fence’ and not having enough opinions.
Incoming? The reported frontrunner to take Karl’s job is Adelaide newsreader Brenton Ragless (right) who is currently filling in for his newly-married colleague
In September, News Corp reported that despite Karl’s contract at the station, thought to be worth almost $3 million and not expiring until the end of 2020, he is ‘likely to be replaced in the New Year’.
‘Top-level sources at Channel 9’s Willoughby studios say the embattled Today host is officially ‘gone’,’ the newspaper stated while referencing an alleged insider.
Speculation has only mounted over the past fortnight, with multiple reports citing insiders who claim Karl’s facing the chop.
The reported frontrunner to take Karl’s job is Adelaide newsreader Brenton Ragless, who is currently filling in for his newly-married colleague.
New face? Reports suggest that Brenton, 42 (left) could end up permanently filling Karl’s spot if ratings for Channel Nine’s breakfast show don’t improve next year
Reports in both The Australian and The Advertiser on Monday suggest that Brenton, 42, could end up permanently filling Karl’s spot if ratings for Channel Nine’s breakfast show don’t improve next year.
‘The Adelaide newsreader is widely perceived at Nine as the very antithesis of the classic, Stefanovic-style network celebrity from Central Casting,’ The Australian reported in recent weeks.
‘Ragless is just what a publicity-weary Nine could be looking for in the crucial breakfast slot.’
What’s next? Questions over the future of Today show reporter Sylvia Jeffreys (right) wife of departing Weekend Today anchor Peter Stefanovic (left) were also raised on Tuesday
Brenton himself has downplayed rumours that he’s angling for Karl’s job, but hinted that he’s open to leaving his post as a local newsreader on Nine News Adelaide for a national presenting role.
However in October, Nine confidently brushed off talks of Karl’s exit and confirmed he was back for 2019.
In a press release, Nine unveiled its news and current affairs line-up for next year, with both Karl and Georgie Gardener given top billing.
‘The nation wakes up with Today, hosted by Karl Stefanovic and Georgie Gardner,’ the release read.
Questions: Peter Ford alleged on Monday that the 32-year-old Sylvia (pictured) will be replaced by Tracy Vo, a presenter with Nine’s Perth news team
Questions over the future of Today show reporter Sylvia Jeffreys, wife of departing Weekend Today anchor Peter Stefanovic, were also raised on Tuesday.
Peter Ford alleged on Monday that the 32-year-old will be replaced by Tracy Vo, a presenter with Nine’s Perth news team.
The entertainment reporter Tweeted: ‘As I reported yesterday there is also a plan to also ‘redeploy’ @SylviaJeffreys and @Tracy_Vo is favourite to move east.’
Tracy, 35, currently based in Perth, celebrated ten years at the network last year, having started at Channel Nine in 2007.
Coming soon? Tracy Vo, 35 (pictured) currently based in Perth, celebrated ten years at the network last year, having started at Channel Nine in 2007
Back in Sydney? After proving a popular reporter with Nine News, the Vietnamese-Australian reporter spent five years in the Sydney newsroom before returning to Perth in 2012
After proving a popular reporter with Nine News, the Vietnamese-Australian reporter spent five years in the Sydney newsroom before returning to Perth in 2012 to care for her parents.
Even the future of beloved entertainment guru Richard Wilkins came into question this week, with Nine denying he’s set to depart.
In a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday, a Nine spokesperson said: ‘Richard is a valued member of the Nine and Today family. He will remain with Today in 2019 and beyond.’
Moved on: Many of the changes come after the departure of executive producer Mark Calvert (pictured right) who stepped down from his role at Nine in early December
The official comment from Nine comes after The Sunday Telegraph recently reported that Richard’s role of entertainment reporter could be about to change.
Following the recent resignation of Today’s executive producer Mark Calvert, Richard’s former segment producer Steve Burling has stepped in to run the show.
With a new EP in charge, it is rumoured there may some shake-ups when it comes to the Today panel.
According to the publication, Richard is feeling ‘safe’ thanks to his good relationship with Steve, with one source revealing: ‘They’re old mates. Burling has always had a great relationship with Dickie.’
Safe? Even the future of beloved entertainment guru Richard Wilkins came into question this week, with Nine denying he’s set to depart
Despite Richard and Steve’s good relationship, the Telegraph claimed that the new EP’s ‘first test of character’ would involve making changes to the longstanding entertainment reporter’s role.
‘He’s had a golden run. He’s been at Nine for over 30 years – and he’s partied for most of them,’ another source added.
Many of the changes come after the departure of executive producer Mark Calvert, who stepped down from his role at Nine in early December.
Changes: Richard’s former segment producer Steve Burling (pictured) has stepped in to run the show. Richard is said to be feeling ‘safe’ thanks to his good relationship with Steve
His resignation came as ratings for Today hit a decade low in September, while news.com.au reported that there’s been ‘tension’ between Calvert and Today show frontman Karl Stefanovic.
The publication cited sources as claiming that there has been ‘significant tension between Stefanovic and Calvert for the past few months.’
With ratings data showing that Sunrise has consistently outperformed rival breakfast program Today, it’s no surprise there are some tensions at Nine.
Viewers are continuing to abandon the Nine Network’s Today show in favour of Channel Seven’s Sunrise, according to OzTam television ratings.
Winners: Viewers are continuing to abandon the Nine Network’s Today show in favour of Channel Seven’s Sunrise, according to OzTam television ratings. Pictured: Sunrise hosts Samantha Armytage and David Koch
In September, Today was battered by Sunrise nationally and in the five-city metro market.
Sunrise, presented by Samantha Armytage and David Koch, dominated the breakfast time slot with 263,000 metro viewers compared to Today’s dismal 206,000.
The ratings gap proved to be even greater in the nationwide figures, with Channel Nine falling behind by over 100,000 viewers.
The Today show has hit a 12-year ratings low this year, with many believing a major shake-up at the network is inevitable.
What happens next? The Today show has hit a 12-year ratings low this year, with many believing a major shake-up at the network is inevitable. Pictured: Richard Wilkins, Georgia Gardener and Karl Stefanonic, stars of the Today show