Channel Nine's morning program, Today, is set to introduce veteran presenter Samantha Armytage as a temporary co-host next week, replacing Sylvia Jeffreys. Armytage, 49, will join Michael Willesee Jr. as the network continues its search for a permanent replacement for Karl Stefanovic.
This change places Armytage in direct competition with her former Channel Seven Sunrise colleague, Natalie Barr. Armytage resigned from Seven in March 2021 after eight years to focus on her family and later signed with Channel Nine in September 2024 to host the reality series The Golden Bachelor. Her current appointment is understood to be a temporary measure.
The Today show has been without a permanent male co-host since Karl Stefanovic's departure last month. Stefanovic exited the series following an interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Co-presenter Sarah Abo is currently on maternity leave.
Reports suggest that both Armytage and Jeffreys, 40, were being considered for fill-in roles, with the network assessing potential candidates to front the struggling breakfast program. The network is reportedly facing challenges in finding a permanent male co-host to succeed Stefanovic. Nine is expected to utilize Abo's maternity leave period to test various on-air partnerships before making long-term decisions about the show's lineup.
The renewed speculation surrounding Today comes as the program faces significant challenges in viewership ratings, consistently trailing behind Channel Seven's rival show, Sunrise.
In related news, the Nine Network has reportedly dropped the new radio show The Long Weekend from its 9Now and Stan streaming platforms. The show, slated for a multi-platform rollout and co-hosted by Stefanovic and Eddie McGuire, is now only available on Gold FM. An episode from June 26 is available on Nine, featuring McGuire discussing Stefanovic's absence after his interview with Tommy Robinson. Stefanovic appeared in only two episodes of The Long Weekend prior to his departure from Nine.