Channel Nine is again altering its morning news program, "Today," with veteran reporter Mike Willesee Jr. slated to depart the show as the network tests a new on-air hosting team. Samantha Armytage, formerly of "Farmer Wants A Wife," will join "60 Minutes" journalist Tom Steinfort at the anchor desk for a trial period.
Armytage's temporary role and Steinfort's return to breakfast television hosting come while regular co-host Sarah Abo is on maternity leave. Steinfort previously served as "Today's" newsreader in 2019 during the tenure of hosts Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner.
Industry insiders suggest that Nine management holds Steinfort in high regard and that he remains a popular figure within the "Today" team. Executives are reportedly optimistic about the potential chemistry between Steinfort and Armytage on screen. This pairing is expected to be closely monitored by network executives, given the competitive nature of the breakfast television landscape.
While the arrangement is being presented as a temporary solution, the on-air chemistry between Armytage and Steinfort will likely face scrutiny as the network seeks to improve the program's ratings. This week, fill-in hosts Armytage and Willesee have reportedly faced viewer criticism, with some describing their presenting style as "drab and boring." Online commentary indicates dissatisfaction from some viewers regarding Armytage's presence on the show, with others expressing a preference for different hosts.
Conversely, some viewers have expressed positive opinions about the pairing, citing professional presentation and credible journalism. Others have praised Willesee as a knowledgeable presenter and welcomed Armytage back to television.
Ratings from the current week indicate that Nine has not yet seen a significant boost from its rotating roster of presenters. On Monday, "Today" drew 707,000 viewers, compared to 1.17 million for rival program "Sunrise." On Tuesday, "Today's" viewership was 654,000, while "Sunrise" attracted 1.125 million viewers.