Ditching Karl Stefanovic from the Today show line-up earlier this year was the wake-up call he “needed to have”, according to a Channel Nine top executive.
WATCH: Lisa Wilkinson denies any ‘bad blood’ between her and Karl Stefanovic
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Nine’s National Director of News and Current Affairs Darren Wick admitted the changes made to the show earlier this year – as fronted by Deb Knight and Georgie Gardner – were “too dramatic” and the network “didn’t quite get it right”.
Ratings plummeted when the TV favourite was ousted from the show, and the network have finally had a change of heart, announcing that Karl will join the new line-up of the Today show from next year.
However, for Karl himself, it was a shakeup that needed to happen.
“I think a year on, he’s very much in a different headspace to where he was a year ago,” Darren said.
The executive explained how the pressure of everything that was going on at the time probably led to his downfall.
“It was a crash and burn. It’s one of the crashes and burns that he probably needed to have,” Darren said.
He went on to say that the break from the show was something that probably needed to happen for his overall wellbeing.
“It has taken him out of the glare, out of the spotlight for a while. He’s been able to settle down everything in his private life. He’s in a great space,” he said.
The network announced the new line-up for the Today show this week, and there’s a host of talent joining Karl and Allison, as well as a few faces who haven’t made the cut…
According to the network, Tracy Vo is set to join the team as newsreader, Tim Davies as weather presenter, Alex Cullen as sports presenter and Brooke Boney as entertainment presenter.
Sylvia Jeffreys will permanently replace Sonia Kruger on Today Extra, after the 54-year-old TV veteran resigned following eight years on the show to return to Channel Seven.
Sylvia will host Today Extra alongside David Campbell, and will be covered by journalist Belinda Russell while she is on maternity leave next year.
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