Karl Stefanovic has put an end to speculation surrounding potential changes to the *Today* show lineup,
particularly rumors about Samantha Armytage stepping into Sarah Abo’s hosting seat.
In a recent interview with *Stellar* magazine, Stefanovic, who has been a mainstay on the program for two decades, firmly stated
that he has no interest in working alongside another co-host, especially not in replacing Sarah Abo, who took over from Ally Langdon in January 2023.
“I don’t see Sarah ever being replaced. And I genuinely have no interest in working with anyone else,” Stefanovic said, clearing up any confusion about the future of *Today*’s hosting arrangement.
His comments come after a period of intense speculation, especially following Armytage’s two-week stint as a fill-in host during the summer holidays.
Armytage, who made her mark as a co-host on *Sunrise* before leaving Channel Seven, briefly joined *Today* as part of a fill-in role alongside weatherman Dan Astley. Despite the media frenzy surrounding her appearance, Stefanovic made it clear that Sarah Abo, whom he describes as a valued co-host, is irreplaceable. “I’ve done 20 years, and I don’t know about going through all that with another person,” Stefanovic admitted. “I’m closer to the end than the start. That’s the reality.”
The decision to bring Armytage onto *Today* for a brief period in December was reportedly met with mixed reactions within Channel Nine. While some insiders saw it as a strategic move to boost ratings, the results were less than stellar. Despite the significant media coverage and the buzz surrounding her return to breakfast television, Armytage’s fill-in role didn’t lead to a noticeable surge in viewership, according to OzTam ratings from December. During her time on *Today*, Armytage’s audience numbers were still lagging behind *Sunrise*, which remained the dominant breakfast show.
A source close to the network explained that the reasoning behind Armytage’s appearance was largely driven by ratings. “If Sam manages to pull *Today* out of the shadow of *Sunrise*, even for a week, the network will see it as a win,” the source revealed. “For Sam, it’s about proving she’s still the queen of breakfast TV.” However, despite the hype, the numbers didn’t match the expectations. On several days, *Today*’s viewership trailed behind that of *Sunrise*, with new *Sunrise* co-host David Woiwod and Monique Wright outperforming Stefanovic and Armytage in the ratings.
“Everyone was talking about Sam being on *Today*, but no one was watching,” one source noted, further suggesting that the drama surrounding Armytage’s stint was more about media attention than actual audience engagement. Meanwhile, the *Sunrise* duo of Woiwod and Wright was drawing in impressive viewership, hinting that audiences might be ready for something fresh and new.
The focus on Armytage came amid internal tensions at Channel Nine, with long-time staff reportedly feeling snubbed by the network’s decision to bring in an external figure. These tensions allegedly prompted multiple crisis meetings behind the scenes in December, as staff and executives grappled with the shifting dynamics at the network.
As for Stefanovic, his loyalty to Sarah Abo appears unwavering. Describing himself as “so fortunate” to be working with Abo, Stefanovic expressed deep respect for his co-host’s dedication and professionalism. Abo, who joined *Today* after a successful stint at *60 Minutes*, has quickly become a key figure on the show. Her journey to *Today* was marked by a series of significant career moves, including stints at Ten and SBS before finally landing her high-profile role at Channel Nine.
Stefanovic’s commitment to his current co-host reflects a broader sentiment within the *Today* team—despite the occasional rumors of change, there is a sense of stability and confidence in their partnership. While other networks may be experimenting with new lineups, Stefanovic’s message is clear: Sarah Abo is here to stay, and he has no interest in seeing her replaced by anyone, least of all someone like Armytage, whose brief return did not meet expectations.
As the *Today* show moves forward, it seems likely that the established duo of Stefanovic and Abo will continue to anchor the program for the foreseeable future, much to the relief of viewers who have come to enjoy their dynamic and rapport on-screen.
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