Karl Stefanovic is leaving the Nine Network’s Today Show after 14 years.
In a statement, Karl referred to his long run on the Today Show as a “dream” before thanking viewers for “hanging in there” during the tough times.
“For the last 14 years I’ve co-hosted the best show on television. I can’t thank Nine enough for the opportunity. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be good enough to host this grand show for so long,” Karl, 44, says.
“Thanks to our viewers mostly, you are what matters most. It’s been a tough time. Thanks for hanging in there. I look forward to seeing you in another capacity at this great Network soon.”
Karl with his co-host Georgie Gardner.
The host, who worked alongside co-hosts Lisa Wilkinson and Georgie Gardner during his time on the show, won a TV WEEK Gold Logie Award and was nominated for the Most Popular Presenter Award three times.
The shock announcement has left viewers wondering: who will be replacing the legendary Karl Stefanovic?
It’s currently assumed that Karl’s co-host Georgie will remain on the show, though Nine has revealed the 2019 line-up will be confirmed soon.
In the meantime, TV WEEK takes a look at all the current frontrunners to take over the role as Today Show co-host.
BEN FORDHAM
Ben Fordham is the current favourite to replace Karl on the show in 2019.
For one thing, he’s a proven hit with Nine’s viewers. Ben was part of the Today Show team for four years until 2014, before taking on a role as host of Nine’s Australian Ninja Warrior.
For another, he’s a likeable family man. Ben, 42, and his wife Jodie Speers (who works as a journalist for Channel Seven) are parents to Freddy and Pearl.
But will he be up for the gig? Earlier this year, Ben told TV WEEK he was “thankful” to have moved on from morning TV.
“When I started out in TV, I wanted to be a 60 Minutes reporter,” he recalls. “Some of the cameramen said to me, ‘Mate, I’ve missed six of the last 10 birthdays,’ or, ‘I didn’t get to go to my daughter’s birthday for the first five years.’
“They said it with a degree of warning and I quickly realised it wouldn’t be for me.”
BRENTON RAGLESS
Brenton Ragless is also rumoured to be taking over Peter Stefanovic’s role on Weekend Today, but could he be heading to the prime-time slot?
The South Australian TV presenter currently leads Nine News in Adelaide with Kate Collins. He has been filling in for Karl for the past few weeks, as the host took time off for his wedding.
Brenton, 42, is also married and has two young children, Edan and James.
Perhaps the network considered the past few weeks a trial run for Brenton? Only time will tell.
DAVID CAMPBELL
He’s charmed viewers as the co-host of Today Extra since 2012, but would David Campbell be keen to make the move to the more serious morning program?
He’s got the likeability and the family factor, not to mention he’s the son of rock legend Jimmy Barnes.
However, considering his love for entertainment, and his strong bond with co-host Sonia Kruger, we’re not quite sure David, 45, will be taking on Today any time soon.
SARAH HARRIS
Could two women be co-hosts on the Today Show in 2019? Sarah Harris is currently hosting Network 10’s morning program Studio 10, but she worked on the Nine Network from 2002 until 2013.
In her time on the network, she worked as a Today reporter, was a fill-in reporter for Sonia Kruger on Mornings, and Leila McKinnon on Weekend Today. She was also a fill-in news presenter on Nine’s Morning News, Afternoon News and Nine News Sydney. Put simply: she has a long history with the network.
Sarah is also loved by her many fans, who have shared in her joy as she wed Tom Ward in 2014, and welcomed her children Paul and Harry. With such an invested fan-base, Sarah, 37, is a strong contender to take on the role.
WALEED ALY
He’s the host of Network 10’s popular evening news program The Project, but would Waleed Aly consider jumping ship to morning television on a rival network?
Waleed, 40, brings a hard-hitting perspective to his panel on The Project, which would make him grab headlines and spark conversation on the show.
It could be just the edge the Today Show needs against its rivals to shake things up after a year of disappointing ratings?
