In an extraordinary move, News Corporation offers a page 3 apology
At first it seemed like just another article kicking the TODAY show while it was down, but no-one could have predicted the reaction to Sydney Confidential’s controversial article alleging NINE had conducted secret focus groups to determine why the new hosting line-up of Georgie Gardner, Deborah Knight and Tom Steinfort were failing to resonate with viewers.
According to the article, the focus group described the banter between TODAY hosts as ‘forced’. Gardner copped the harshest criticism from the focus group who allegedly described her as “cold” and an “ice-maiden”.
The article, which has now been removed from The Daily Telegraph website, went on to claim production staff at TODAY were angry with Gardner for her alleged role in removing Karl Stefanovic, Sylvia Jeffrey’s and Tim Gilbert from the program.
The reaction from NINE was swift and strong, surprising many in the industry. NINE’s Head of News & Current Affairs, Darren Wick, published a scathing response delivering his full support for Gardner and The Today Show and calling the article;
“One of the most deliberate acts of bullying I’ve ever seen.”
The Daily Telegraph updated their article to include Wick’s response but NINE threatened legal action, leading to this morning’s extraordinary retraction on page 3 of The Daily Telegraph under the heading Apology to Georgie Gardner;
The article “Frosty morning” (page 7, 21/02/2019) contained various claims about audience responses to Georgie Gardner’s role as co-host of Today.
The Daily Telegraph withdraws the claims, which we accept were wrong.
The Telegraph has a commitment to accurate journalism and in this case we have let our readers and Ms Gardner down.
We apologise to our readers and to Ms Gardner for the hurt and embarrassment the article caused to both her and her family
TV Blackbox has spoken to a NINE spokesperson this morning who says, in response;
“we appreciate them addressing the issue and correcting false reports.”
The TODAY show continues to struggle since its January 14 relaunch with Georgie Gardner, Deb Knight and Tom Steinfort. On most days NINE’s breakfast show fails to average above the magic 200,000 mark. A year ago that figure would have been unthinkable but each week the show is hitting new lows.
Just last Monday the show only drew 168,000 viewers compared to Sunrise’s 287,000. It’s a shocking result, which is why media writers are fixated with the show. There’s a lot on the line here which is why NINE are fighting back against inaccurate reporting, but they’re also accepting there’s a long way to go.
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Co-Creator and Editor of the TV Blackbox website, Robert McKnight is highly regarded Australian Television Producer, he has worked at SEVEN, NINE and TEN, and is most well-known for creating and producing STUDIO 10. Currently Rob is the host and producer of the TV Blackbox, McKnight Tonight and Monsters Who Murder podcasts.
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