Apart from today marking the Nine’s broadcasting debut of the 2019 Australian Open, it was also the first episode of the new-look Today show.
In a desperate bid to rein in rival Seven’s Sunrise in the TV ratings, Nine announced a swathe of changes to Nine’s breakfast program announced over summer.
First to go was Today executive producer Mark Calvert in December, who has since joined Sky News.
Then it was time for Karl Stefanovic to part ways with Today after 14 years, and an announcement by Nine in the new year cleared up who exactly would be staying, and who was going.
However, it appears the gamble of Georgie Gardner and Deborah Knight leading the show alongside Tom Steinfort as newsreader isn’t exactly getting viewers keen to continue tuning in.
In fact, it appears the new line-up has had the opposite effect, if the swathe of social media criticism from the first episode is anything to go by…
Urgh… it is actually … good bye. Today Show is officially dead (boring). Now forced to watch 7 in the morning but so be it…
— Johan van Zyl (@Johan_vanZyl_ZA) January 13, 2019
It is so easy to see why sunrise are killing this show, as much as I didn’t rate KARL at least he had some personality. Georgie was good at reading the news but is just too stiff for the compare gig. And why would you shaft Wilkins an entertainment guru? I give it 12 months
— Dr. Terry Goldsworthy (@tgoldswo) January 13, 2019
Unfortunately the new look did not work for me. Bring back Tim Gilbert for a start and change Deb Knight, she is far to serious as a breakfast co anchor.
— SteveW (@surfie55) January 13, 2019
White as, stale as. Enjoy the new whitewashed version of Australia. Gee you’d think that maybe just maybe #9Today might want to add a bit of diversity into the mix? But no. Let’s keep the old status quo. BORING. V BORING.
— I Am Cactus (@IAmCactus2) January 14, 2019
OMG first time ever I have switched to Sunrise, what a boring bunch of females. Deb, take a leaf out of Georgies book and be a bit more laid back. You are way to overbearing to watch. Just shut up and let people talk.i wish you all the best however I have turned off.
— susan mcneill (@susanmc95768146) January 13, 2019
What an absolute snore fest. Get rid of @GeorgieG and her soap box & get someone with a sense of humor. Lost another long term viewer ?
— Rachael H (@RachaelH888) January 13, 2019
They sacked Tim for that Pig Tony Jones OMFG – BORING AS HELL
Georgie thinks she’s all that but she’s NOT
Deb is too stiff… and no Richard or Karl and Silvia is just WRONG
SWITCHING OFF— Tricia (@Tricia52_) January 14, 2019
Oh my god, soooooo boring now. Nothing against the individual hosts, but it’s painful watching them all on this new lineup. There is no humour and there is absolutely no chemistry. Changing to seven or ABC ??
— Michelle (@Michell83782526) January 13, 2019
Why have Tony Jones? Ugh! Won’t be watching.
— Ayal Tusia ? (@AyalTusia) January 14, 2019
Yuk!!
— Newcastle retiree (@Australiancrown) January 14, 2019
Nine declined to comment when contacted by B&T.
