He’s the cheeky larrikin who has brought Nine’s Today back to life, however it seems the unstoppable Karl Stefanovic is ready for his next move.
While he’s riding a wave of career success, Woman’s Day hears the seasoned TV veteran is set to step up into a new role after being reinstated on Nine’s morning offering in 2020.
One well-placed insider says viewers can expect the dad-of-four to soonbe swapping the bright lights of breakfast TV for some of the country’s swankiest boardrooms!
“After more than two decades at Nine, he remains their number one, and they’re doing everything to keep their star recruit happy for at least another 10 years,” says the insider.
Karl and Allison joke around behind the scenes.
(Image: Instagram)Thankfully, it won’t be a permanent departure for Karl, with sources confirming he will continue to report on the big stories for Today, much like he did during the recent floods and bushfires.
His regular co-hosting commitments will however be completely wound back, giving him more time with his beloved family.
“He’s committed to getting people back into regional Australia – last week he was in country Victoria and NSW with the charity Gotcha4Life’s Mateship Miles Roadshow – he’s passionate about this sort of stuff,” confirms our source.
“He’ll also be doing a lot more at 60 Minutes now travel is back on the cards,” continues the source, who notes he has impressed bigwigs with his recent sit-downs with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and opposition leader Anthony Albanese.
It’s believed the network will also be relying heavily on Karl to work his magic when it comes to negotiating major broadcasting rights like the NRL.
“They’re already calling him “seal-the-deal Karl”, quips the source, who explains it’s clear the TV anchor has become Nine’s new “secret weapon” when it comes to schmoozing their all-important advertisers.
WATCH: Cassandra Thorburn reveals what she really thinks of ex-husband Karl Stefanovic. Story continues after video.
Karl recently returned from a whirlwind trip to Switzerland, where he and senior executives flew in and met with the International Olympic Committee in the hopes Nine could secure the next three Olympics from rival network Seven. By all reports, the 47-year-old was a superstar!
Hitting an all-time low in 2018, when he was unceremoniously dumped after a difficult couple of years that included a very nasty divorce from his wife of 21 years Cassandra Thorburn, and a new relationship with now-wife Jasmine, Karl seems to have put all that behind him.
“He’s reinvented himself and has never been more content. He’s loving life with Jas and their little girl Harper, who is a real character, like her dad,” says the insider.
“They’re about to renovate their Sydney home, having decided for now not to sell their $7 million Noosa beach pad. Jasmine recently closed her shoe business and is set to embark on a new venture in the coming months.”
Karl with baby daughter Harper.
(Image: Instagram)Karl giving up the early morning starts will mean more time for the family, which is something sources close to the couple say they both desperately want.
Like many people, the pandemic has caused him to rethink what’s important and he’s ready to make some positive changes.
Despite Seven’s Sunrise continuing to dominate the ratings, the only question that remains is who will replace Karl to sit alongside his good friend and colleague Ally Langdon.
Sources say Charles Croucher, who is currently the Weekend Today host, is tipped to be stepping into Karl’s shoes!
The co-host is said to have “given his blessing”, and knew that when Charlie covered him over summer there was no denying he was the heir apparent.
Meet the new Mr Today
Charlie (pink shirt) with the Today team.
(Image: Instagram)When it comes to Nine’s number one pick to replace Karl Stefanovic on Today, it doesn’t get much better than country boy Charles “Charlie” Croucher.
Born and bred in the NSW Hunter Region, throughout his high school years he worked part-time on the local Branxton Vineyards News as a junior writer.
While studying journalism at the Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, he took a job at the local radio station 2BS/B-Rock as the morning presenter.
The popular 34-year-old joined the Nine network in 2010 as a reporter, and is now considered one of the best news presenters in the country.
“He’s young, smart and across everything from sports to politics – you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t love Charlie. The viewers are going to like him!” says a friend of the presenter.
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