“They’re Playing With Fire!” The SHOCKING ‘Risk’ Warning Issued to Channel 9 After They BRUTALLY Axed Karl Stefanovic!
Nine has been warned by the former director of Seven News to make the most of a “golden opportunity” in the wake of Karl Stefanovic’s axing from the Today show.
A former director of Seven News has urged Nine to take a “risk” when deciding on Karl Stefanovic’s replacement on the Today show.
Nine executives have been urged to use Stefanovic’s departure as an opportunity to try something new.
Last week, Stefanovic, 51, was axed from the breakfast show after 21 years over his podcast interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Steve Carey, former director of News at Seven Melbourne, told Tom Elliot on 3AW Mornings the network needed to “shake it up” in order to compete in the breakfast ratings battle.
Karl Stefanovic was axed from the Today show after 21 years following his interview with Tommy Robinson on his podcast. Picture: Nine
He suggested poaching Sunrise’s Matt Shirvington.
“That would do two things: that would bring an audience with him, and it would rattle Sunrise,” Mr Carey said.
“Or would you go for another athlete with Todd Woodbridge? He’s already on the Nine books, he’s got a very successful gameshow, he’s shown he can transition.”
Mr Carey said the “field [of options] is enormous”.
“They’ve got a golden opportunity to shake it up,” he said.
“They’ve got the opportunity to do something new, something a little bit out there that’s going to attract viewers because for so long they’ve been number two so the bar in terms of risk is a bit lower.”
It comes after Stefanovic opened up on his exit from the Today show with journalist Piers Morgan on his podcast The Karl Stefanovic Show.
The axed star struggled to hold back tears as he revealed how the controversy had impacted his wife of eight years, Jasmine.
When asked if he was emotional, Stefanovic said: “Just my wife, because she puts up with a lot.
“Her finding out this stuff and having to deal with me, because I’m a lot, and I’m in the public a lot.
“I really do work hard, and I’m away a bit, and she knows what I’m trying to do with this podcast. So I’m doing this, and some radio, and I’m doing it for the family, but she’s on her own a lot.
“And for me to hear her upset, it was the hardest thing.”
ARN has also announced it had cut ties with Stefanovic and will no longer be hosting his weekly Gold radio show, The Long Weekend, with Eddie McGuire.