Nine announced the news of Maddern’s departure late Saturday evening.
Rebecca Maddern, co-host of Weekend Today and Australian Ninja Warrior, will depart Nine after five and a half years with the network.
In an article published by Nine, a Nine spokesperson said:
“Bec has been a great contributor to Nine since she joined us and we wish her well for the future.”
The Herald Sun has reported that Maddern and Nine were unable to reach terms for a new contractual agreement.
Missing the Saturday broadcast, she will not be presenting Sunday’s Weekend Today program either, instead leaving the network immediately.
Nine has already confirmed that the new Weekend Today hosting line-up for 2022 will feature Charles Croucher and Belinda Russell replacing Maddern, and joining Richard Wilkins as an ensemble.
Jayne Azzopardi stays on as news reader.
Weekend Today is also losing their weather presenter this weekend as well, as Lauren Phillips previously announced her intention to depart the show to focus on her Melbourne breakfast radio show with Jase Hawkins, Jase & Lauren. Nine is yet to name Phillips’ replacement.
Former Australian Ninja Warrior co-host Ben Fordham left the reality hit earlier this year, meaning the show’s lineup of hosts will be completely shaken up with new faces in 2022.
At the time of his announcement, Fordham told TV Blackbox the latest season took its toll as he juggled the shooting schedule with his radio commitments.
Fordham filmed Ninja Warrior from 8:00pm to 3:30am, and then would head straight to 2GB to present his radio show, trying to find sleep during the day.
Joining Nine in March 2016 after 15 years with Seven, Maddern presented The Footy Show, before later taking one of the co-hosting slots for Australian Ninja Warrior in the same year.
Maddern then landed the role of Weekend Today co-host, replacing Allison Langdon, in 2020.
Along with her presenting gigs, Maddern was focal in Nine’s coverage of several sports, including the Cricket World Cup, Ashes Series, Australian Open, and other tennis tournaments.
