SYLVIA JEFFREYS confirms TODAY departure as new show format begins to take shape

Popular newsreader, Sylvia Jeffreys is the latest to confirm her exit from NINE’s flagship breakfast program TODAY.

Confirmation of her departure comes after a week of turmoil for TODAY that has seen her husband Peter Stefanovic sacked from the network, while her brother in-law, Karl Stefanovic was dumped as TODAY host.

In a statement released to media outlets, Jeffreys thanked viewers for their support over her four years on the program;

“I’ve loved and embraced every minute of my Today show chapter and feel humbled to have worked with so many passionate people — hosts, studio crew, cameramen and producers — who have become my great mates. There are few shows that are fortunate to have such an engaged audience, and I thank our viewers for inviting me into their home’s day after day.

“I’m thrilled to sink my teeth into a brand-new project. Opportunity often knocks when you least expect it and I’m ready to dive right in to what’s ahead of me.”

The 32-year-old presenter has worked consistently at NINE since she was 17, where she started out as a autocue operator in the Brisbane newsroom.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford has suggested Jeffreys will present a new national late-night news bulletin for NINE which would compete against a similar bulletin launched this week by SEVEN.

TODAY will launch its new line-up in mid January. The program is scheduled to broadcast for two weeks from the Australian Open in Melbourne, the outside broadcast allowing time for studio renovations to occur in Sydney.

Please I’m no oil painting at the best of times so please next time someone wants to make up another story with me in it please avoid this photo I really need the right lighting ? pic.twitter.com/HrUrIxGx50

— Tim Gilbert (@TimgGilbert) December 22, 2018

Sports Presenter Tim Gilbert will host the show for the next few weeks over the Christmas period. The Daily Telegraph reported on Friday that Gilbert will not continue with the show in 2019, and has already negotiated for his contract to be paid out.

A spokesperson for NINE declined to confirm or deny this report to DeciderTV, however Gilbert has taken to Twitter to complain about false reporting.

On Friday, NINE confirmed former Triple J newsreader Brooke Boney will join the new TODAY format as an Entertainment Presenter.

Boney will work with TODAY stalwart Richard Wilkins in the new role. Wilkins remains as NINE’S Entertainment Editor.

It had been widely reported Wilkins was to be moved out of TODAY, however a spokesperson for NINE confirmed to DeciderTV that Wilkins will continue to regularly appear across both TODAY and TODAY EXTRA.

DeciderTV understands Boney will do the ‘day to day’ promotional interviews, studio segments, and showbiz reports, allowing Wilkins more time to chase the genuine A-List interviews for the show.

The appointment of a young respected indigenous woman is seen as an important part of a cultural shift for the NINE program which is looking to restore its reputation with female viewers.

Despite a ‘distant’ relationship with viewers, current co-host Georgie Gardner appears set to remain with TODAY. Yesterday the presenter finally publicly acknowledged the departure of Karl Stefanovic, taking to Instagram to post the message;

“A very tough week, a challenging year. Huge congratulations @karlstefanovic_ for a 14 yr tenure hosting one of TV’s most demanding gigs. You brought a new brand, straddling the serious stories along with endless laughs (see YouTube!) You taught me plenty, it was never boring. X”

Adelaide based news presenter, Brenton Ragless remains the frontrunner to replace Stefanovic at TODAY. The clean-cut, highly respectable, scandal-free, and somewhat boring newsreader is seen as the complete opposite to Stefanovic. Ideal for NINE as they look to escape tabloid headlines and bring advertisers back to the troubled program.