Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • streaming
  • Video
Who
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Style
  • Health
  • Beauty
  • Sexiest People
  • The Travel List
  • streaming
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. News

Today show ratings plummet following Karl Stefanovic's return

Channel Nine are not panicking yet! - by Madi Spira
  • 16 Jan 2020

News of Karl Stefanovic's return to Nine's Today show was met with excitement and relief after ratings dropped to an all-time low during Georgie Gardner and Deb Knight's stint on the wildly popular breakfast program.

WATCH: Karl Stefanovic digs up embarrassing footage of Allison Langdon

{title} Play

{title}

{duration}
Shakira Tears up During Last Concert in Colombia Play

Shakira Tears up During Last Concert in Colombia

1:02
The Veronicas deny plane removal was for publicity Play

The Veronicas deny plane removal was for publicity

3:50
Inside the Anzac Day Dawn Service Play

Inside the Anzac Day Dawn Service

1:23
New person of interest in William Tyrrell inquest Play

New person of interest in William Tyrrell inquest

1:00
DISNEYLAND PARIS IN LOCKDOWN AFTER EXPLOSION Play

DISNEYLAND PARIS IN LOCKDOWN AFTER EXPLOSION

0:17
Love Island's Malin Andersson Shares Devastating News Play

Love Island's Malin Andersson Shares Devastating News

0:40
Phoebe Burgess is smiling again Play

Phoebe Burgess is smiling again

0:36
And and Yvie in snake drama Play

And and Yvie in snake drama

0:28
Hello Play

Hello

0:18

However, it appears as though Karl's takeover with Allison Langdon hasn't gone down too well with viewers.

Less than two weeks after taking their seats, the show only attracted a viewing audience of 185, 000 in the capital cities. Meanwhile, a whopping 246,000 tuned into Today's rival program, Sunrise.

allisonlangdonkarlstefanovic

Fans were pleased when they announced the new lineup.

Instagram

Then, on Tuesday, Today scored 192,000 viewers compared to 268, 000 on Sunrise.

According to last year's statistics, while Deb and Georgie were hosting the popular morning show, their viewership sat at around 195,000. However, after ratings plummeted to 155,000, Channel Nine made the executive decision to re-hire Karl.

georgiegardnerdebknight

Allison and Karl replaced Georgie and Deb in January 2020.

Instagram

In spite of the unexpectedly low ratings, an industry executive told Confidential that Nine producers aren't panicking yet, insisting "It is going to be a long game" seeing as "the audience isn’t going to break their viewing habit quickly". While they aren't perturbed by the issue, it appears as though Nine got their hopes up too soon, with TV boss Steve Burling admitting last year that he was expecting Karl's return on January 4 to increase the ratings by 10 per cent.

In November, Karl opened up about returning to the program, admitting he was just as shocked as viewers when they asked him to resume his position. 

karljasmine

Karl was dumped from the program during his honeymoon.

Instagram

"It's not something I thought would ever come up again. I thought my time was up, but then, when I was sounded out about it, it got me thinking. It's a big job with enormous pressures and I know only too well some of those pitfalls, but it is also without question the best live TV job in Australia."

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Karl Stefanovic
Madi Spira
Madi Spira

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Who magazine

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Who magazine

Recommended to you

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out
Watch 0:36

Louis Tomlinson Calls James Corden Out

{headline}

{headline}

EXCLUSIVE: Why Lisa Wilkinson is speaking up in her new book

EXCLUSIVE: Why Lisa Wilkinson is speaking up in her new book

Karl Stefanovic addresses Ubergate scandal and marriage split in odd Today skit

Karl Stefanovic addresses Ubergate scandal and marriage split in odd Today skit

Karl Stefanovic unleashes in bizarre TODAY show rant

Karl Stefanovic unleashes in bizarre TODAY show rant

You will now wake up with Karl and 'Ally' on Today

You will now wake up with Karl and 'Ally' on Today

{headline}

{headline}

Nine insider says Karl Stefanovic's downfall "needed to happen"

Nine insider says Karl Stefanovic's downfall "needed to happen"

Channel Nine announces who will join the Today show with Karl Stefanovic

Channel Nine announces who will join the Today show with Karl Stefanovic

Lisa Wilkinson says what she really thinks about Karl's return to Today

Lisa Wilkinson says what she really thinks about Karl's return to Today

{headline}

{headline}

Georgie Gardner breaks her silence after being replaced by Karl Stefanovic on Today

Georgie Gardner breaks her silence after being replaced by Karl Stefanovic on Today

Confirmed! Karl Stefanovic to return to Today with Allison Langdon after sacking last year

Confirmed! Karl Stefanovic to return to Today with Allison Langdon after sacking last year

Nine bosses begging dumped Today host Karl Stefanovic to return

Nine bosses begging dumped Today host Karl Stefanovic to return

Karl Stefanovic comeback shock: His big career news

Karl Stefanovic comeback shock: His big career news

Lisa Wilkinson says she feels "sorry" for Karl Stefanovic

Lisa Wilkinson says she feels "sorry" for Karl Stefanovic

Karl Stefanovic's shock confession: "No one has asked me to go back to the Today show"

Karl Stefanovic's shock confession: "No one has asked me to go back to the Today show"

Karl Stefanovic breaks down in tears as he makes TV return after Today axing

Karl Stefanovic breaks down in tears as he makes TV return after Today axing

Who
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy
Who Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • marie claire
  • Bounty Parents

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Who

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Who magazine-& save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Who magazine