After the shock retirement announcement from Tracy Grimshaw this week it didn’t take long for publications to start speculating on a succession plan, but the network’s highest profile presenter has declared he has no interest in a switch to primetime.
As first reported by showbiz reporter Peter Ford on 3AW and independently verified by this website, Today host Karl Stefanovic has officially ruled himself out of the running in the search to find a successor for Grimshaw.
TV Blackbox understands despite having already been involved with breakfast television for 18 years, Stefanovic is as eager as ever to continue the battle against Sunrise in 2023.
The ratings gap between the two breakfast programs has closed considerably in recent months.
A love of live, spontaneous television and great chemistry with his on-air partner Ally Langdon are understood to be key factors in the popular presenter’s decision to stick with Today. Stefanovic is also a regular contributor to 60 Minutes allowing him the best of both worlds.
As previously reported by this website, Channel 9 is planning on waiting until the end of the year to announce a successor for Grimshaw on A Current Affair. The network is working through a strong list of candidates including Sarah Abo, Tracey Vo, Sylvia Jeffreys, Deborah Knight and Leila McKinnon.
What about great journalists like Sarah Harris or Melissa Doyle?????
Not a bloke in the list of names being apparently worked through by Nine? How about upgrading the quality of content and saving another expected retirement by offering it to Chris Uhlmann – give him the opportunity to put our politicians of all political colours (state and national) under the blowtorch a couple of times a week.
Good!