Channel Nine star Sonia Kruger defects to rival Channel Seven

Sonia Kruger has jumped ship from her TV hosting gigs at Channel Nine to join rival network Channel Seven.

According to The Daily Mail, Sonia accepted a salary package worth $1.3million per year at Seven, with Nine unwilling to match the offer.

“She’s leaving because Channel Seven are prepared to pay far more money than Channel Nine,” a source told the publication.

It has not been confirmed which show Sonia will be involved in at Seven but she is rumoured to be taking the reins of the Big Brother 2020 reboot – a show which she previously hosted at Channel Nine.

“She has the advantage, though, that her partner Craig [McPherson] is one of Seven’s big bosses. Talk is Craig has thrown her name in the mix for the host of Big Brother and is pushing for Sonia to get the job,” a source told Woman’s Day this week.

Before joining Channel Nine in 2011, Sonia worked at Channel Seven and met her current partner, 7News boss Craig McPherson, who she has been in a relationship with since 2008.

Sonia will leave behind her high-profile roles as The Voice host and co-host of Today Extra.

Earlier this week Woman’s Day reported that Love Island host Sophie Monk could be poised to take on greater responsibilities at the network, including a gig on The Voice.

“Sophie wants nothing more than to step up into a bigger role [at Nine]. The Voice has her name all over it,” a source spilled.

WATCH: Sophie Monk sizzles in Love Island promo. Story continues below…

Meanwhile, speculation is rife that her Today Extra gig was in jeopardy, with Nine bosses rumoured to shuffle Today hosts Georgie Gardner and Deborah Knight into that slot.

The move would make way for Karl Stefanovic and Alison Langdon who are rumoured to be in talks to host the Today show in a bid to recover the show’s struggling ratings.

Profile Erin Doyle

As Digital Managing Editor of e-Commerce Content at Are Media, Erin heads up the team creating shoppable content on all brands, covering everything from the latest products to the hottest experiences.