Today fans reveal the one thing Australian breakfast show should borrow from its US namesake to boost flagging ratings
Fans of Channel Nine's Today have proposed a dramatic change to save the breakfast show's declining ratings.
Viewers believe that co-host Karl Stefanovic, in favor of two female presenters, could attract more viewers, borrowed from his namesake on the American network NBC.
He currently shares the desk with Sarah Abo, 39, but some fans think replacing Stefanovic, 49, with Melbourne news presenter Alicia Loxley could create a better team.
The suggestion follows the Today (US) breakfast show format, which is hosted by Savannah Guthrie, 51, and Hoda Kotb, 59.
'Hoda and Savannah [have] great chemistry on NBC's Today's Show,” one viewer posted on the industry blog: Media spy.
Fans of Channel Nine's Today have proposed a dramatic format change to save the breakfast show's poor ratings. Pictured: Today presents Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo
“A two-woman format would be better, like Sarah and Alicia,” another agreed.
“They are all good presenters there,” another blogger agreed, adding, “they have authority on the presentation team, something we don't have here.”
Meanwhile, Seven's Sunrise continues to dominate the morning schedule in Australia with presenters Natalie Barr and Matt 'Shirvo' Shirvington.
Viewers have taken a cue from the name on US network NBC and believe co-host Karl Stefanovic, who favors two female presenters, could attract more viewers. Pictured: Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb of Today NBC in the US
But a fan on the blog ripped into both Sunrise and Today for what they saw as a boring breakfast format.
“I haven't really needed breakfast TV in recent years,” they wrote.
'It's just too scripted and way too many paid spots. The gotcha questions, clownish weather presenters, it's all one gigantic circus. Karl just can't interview anymore, Nat Barr is just trying to answer all the questions to get the 7News headline.”
Fans at industry blog Media Spy believe ousting Stefanovic in favor of Melbourne news presenter Alicia Loxley, alongside Sarah Abo, could create a better team. Pictured: Alicia Loxley on the red carpet in January
The blogger then praised Today NBC and its more popular rival Good Morning America on the ABC (US) network.
And while they didn't mention popular Sunrise host Sam Mac, the blogger seemed to be particularly critical of the prankster, who is known for his funny weather segments.
“I'm so sick of these stupid weather presenters just sitting around,” the blogger lamented.
'I would like to see a change in strategy in that area, give us the [meteorological] person and profound things behind a wall. Stop that nonsense.'
This will be the 20th year that Sunrise has won first place in its timeslot, after taking first place in the overall ratings survey last year. Pictured: Natalie Barr and Matt 'Shirvo' Shirvington
Today has struggled to gain ground on Sunrise in recent years, partly due to the revolving door of presenters on the Nine show.
This will be the 20th year that Sunrise has won first place in its timeslot, after taking first place in the overall ratings survey last year.
According to the 2022 OzTam survey year, Sunrise had an average national daily audience of 397,000 viewers.
Seven said it was '31 percent larger than its nearest competitor'.