With the clock ticking, breakfast TV host Karl Stefanovic has reportedly been told to prove himself, otherwise execs may look at other options.
“For now, anyway, he and his trusted sidekick Ally [Langdon] are relatively safe, but Karl is well aware there’s a whole new rule book in play,” a well-placed insider tells Woman’s Day.
“There was a whisper that some top-secret meetings took place between Nine’s bigwigs earlier this month discussing the fate and future of all their main on-air talent – especially the highly paid ones like Karl!
“Everyone at Today is under scrutiny. Newsreader Alex [Cullen] is in all sorts of strife, with plans afoot to move the very popular Tim [Davies] from weather over to news and sport.
Karl and Ally are safe according to netowrk insiders.
(Instagram)
“The bigger plan is to permanently bring into the mix popular Perth-based weather presenter Scherri-Lee Biggs. Alex is being eyed up by 60 Minutes, which should keep him safe.
“It looks like a move is imminent for entertainment presenter Brooke [Boney] to be taken off the show altogether and put into a more roving reporter role. It all comes down to the bottom dollar – this current line-up is costing way too much money!” the insider explains.
“Karl earns more than anyone else, which puts him well in the firing line as the first to go. He has to show them he’s the right man for the job – before it’s all too late.”
In another shock move, the insider also spills that Nine are testing the waters with veteran journalist Melissa Doyle, 51, by placing her onto primetime show Australia Behind Bars to get her back into the public eye.
“They’re seeing how she rates [with viewers], but they definitely could see her fronting Today,” says the source.
“What this means for Ally and Karl – as Mel would come along with a hefty price tag – remains to be seen.”
Carrie isn’t going anywhere!
When it comes to the big changes at Ten, The Project host Carrie Bickmore is not going anywhere, with the 41-year-old all but signed up for another three years.
“With all the uncertainty right now, Ten would have rocks for brains to lose its number-one star.
“If anyone’s getting their marching orders, you wouldn’t have to look too far at some of Carrie’s highly paid colleagues for who might be next to get a tap on the shoulder,” confirms an insider.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if they drop a number of big names, including Studio 10′s Sarah Harris.
“The clean-out is going to be brutal for everyone. They can’t keep paying the big bucks for little return – Carrie is about the only one safe,” says the source.
“It’s going to be a very interesting few months ahead – get ready for a rocky ride!”
“Carrie is about the only one safe,” says the source.
(Instagram)Eddy’s here to stay!
With big shoes to fill, over at Seven’s Sunrise a very pregnant Edwina Bartholomew is preparing to exit the building for her second maternity leave in three years.
“Eddy’s so safe in her job they’re likely not going to replace her with any one person.
“They could rotate a whole line-up of newsreaders but if they had to pick just one, Melbourne-based Rebecca Maddern would be their likely choice,” says an insider.
The 38-year-old TV veteran and soon to be mum-of-two has been assured by the big bosses she has nothing to worry about, and that the job will remain hers on her return in early 2023.
“Eddy may come back the last couple of months of this year – she’s got this motherhood thing down pat, and she’ll be itching to get back into the chair,” says the source.
“If only there were more like her – she just gets the job done!”
