Reports: Deb Knight Wasn’t Nine’s First Choice As Today Host

Reports: Deb Knight Wasn’t Nine’s First Choice As Today Host

The ongoing soap opera that Nine’s Today has become has taken a further twist with reports that Deb Knight wasn’t network chiefs’ first choice to replace the axed Karl Stefanovic.

Over the weekend, Nine announced that Knight would partner with incumbent Georgie Gardner as co-hosts of the 2019 line-up that saw regulars Stefanovic, Richard Wilkins and Tim Gilbert all given the boot.

However, News.com.au is today reporting that Knight wasn’t the first choice to fill the vacant role.

According to the article, a “senior television source” claims the gig was initially offered to Nine’s Adelaide-based newsreader Brenton Ragless (left in main photo) who’d been filling-in on the show over the summer period.

“But he knocked it back for family reasons so Nine had to go back to the drawing board,” the source revealed.

Nine has denied the claims and has stood by its decision that Knight was the only candidate considered for the role.

Somewhat ironically, Knight’s first gig at Today was as the breakfast show’s newsreader before she was dumped for Sylvia Jeffreys back in 2014. Jeffreys announced she was quitting the show, but would remain with the network, just prior to Christmas.

Knight and Gardener will debut together next Monday as part of Nine’s Australian Open coverage and a good three weeks before the start of the official TV ratings period.

Nine chiefs will no doubt be hoping Today’s return will detract from damaging headlines that have centred on the show’s personalities, including Karl Stefanovic’s axing and brother Peter’s sacking.

Earlier this week, Karl was outed as having “liked” damaging social media posts that were uncomplimentary to Today and of Deb Knight’s appointment. Stefanovic later claimed the “likes” were the work of someone else after his Instagram account was hacked.

Media outlets have also reported viewers’ apparent dislike of Knight’s appointment, while others have suggested her promotion was gender based.

Regardless, all the news appears to be promising for a healthy 2019 for Seven’s Sunrise.

 




Please login with linkedin to comment

Brenton Ragless Deb Knight karl stefanovic Today

Latest News

It’s Friday Quiz Time Again!
  • Media

It’s Friday Quiz Time Again!

Take B&T's trivia quiz for your chance to win a $100 booze voucher and possible cirrhosis of a major internal organ.

by B&T Magazine

B&T Magazine
Big data technology and data science illustration. Data flow concept. Querying, analysing, visualizing complex information. Neural network for artificial intelligence. Data mining. Business analytics.
  • Marketing

SenateSHJ Launches New Trans-Tasman Practices

SenateSHJ has launched a new digital, data and insights capability designed to help clients tackle the growing complexity of communication challenges. SenateSHJ Digital, Data and Insights (DDI) will combine the firm’s existing Digital and Insights functions to create a Trans-Tasman capability focused on digital communication, and the generation and use of data to improve communication. […]

New BrandStory Format From Bonzai Allows 3x More Ad Space on Mobile
  • Media

New BrandStory Format From Bonzai Allows 3x More Ad Space on Mobile

Creative technology platform Bonzai has announced the launch of BrandStory – a new premium mobile ad format. BrandStory offers triple the ad space and 2.8 times greater time in view than single scroll ad formats, addressing the surging demand from brands worldwide for more real estate to drive real results by seamlessly intertwining awareness, exploration […]

B&T’s Search For Australia’s Greatest Ad Heads To Channel 7
  • Advertising

B&T’s Search For Australia’s Greatest Ad Heads To Channel 7

B&T went through the looking glass this morning, with editor-in-chief David Hovenden (above) appearing on Channel 7’s The Morning Show to get the general public involved in our search for Australia’s Greatest Ad. Hovenden chatted with Kylie Gillies and stand-in host Matt Doran about what makes a great ad and showcasing some of our favourites […]

by B&T Magazine

B&T Magazine
Opinion: The Tall Planner’s Kate Smither On The DBA Dilemma
  • Opinion

Opinion: The Tall Planner’s Kate Smither On The DBA Dilemma

The science is not in question – smarter people than I, with far more data, have codified it. The logic is not up for grabs…it makes sense that creating mental shortcuts to your brand keeps you at the top of your mind. Lead image: Kate Smither – Owner, The Tall Planner I wouldn’t even take […]

Opinion

by B&T Magazine

B&T Magazine
African woman using a cellphone in an office alone
  • Marketing

Ortto & Tall Bob Partner To Deliver Better SMS & MMS For Australian & NZ Businesses

Two Australian-born technology providers have joined forces to bring more power and choice to marketers in Australia and New Zealand with mobile messaging that is more local, cost-effective, and integrated. It’s a partnership that sees two Australian software companies come together to deliver a world-class mobile-first solution for marketers building data-driven, personalised, omnichannel campaigns. While […]

Slew Of New Hires At Snap Inc.
  • Media

Slew Of New Hires At Snap Inc.

Snap Inc. has announced a number of new recruits. B&T unaware if it positively impacted SEEK's share price.

Reddit Gets Playful Brand Refresh
  • Technology

Reddit Gets Playful Brand Refresh

This will be of interest to any Reddit fans, graphic designers or lovers of an orange so bright it burns the retinas.

Zitcha & Broadsign Partner To Drive Global In-Store Retail Media Market
  • Advertising

Zitcha & Broadsign Partner To Drive Global In-Store Retail Media Market

Zitcha and Broadsign have teamed up to integrate the Broadsign out-of-home (OOH) advertising platform with Zitcha’s retail media platform. The collaboration empowers retailers to maximise and monetise in-store digital display networks and enables advertising partners to easily view and book available in-store inventory and review campaign performance alongside the retailer’s other media channels. With the […]

Double Rainbouu & 7-Eleven Launch Exclusive Summer Fashion Label
  • Marketing

Double Rainbouu & 7-Eleven Launch Exclusive Summer Fashion Label

Today, 7-Eleven has announced a one-of-a-kind collaboration with the popular Sydney-based anti-resort wear label Double Rainbouu. Dropping tomorrow, December 1, just in time for summer, this limited-edition capsule will infuse the fashion brand’s rebellious spirit with a distinctly iconic 7-Eleven flavour. The unisex collection features five must-have styles comprising two signature Hawaiian shirts, a peaked cap, a bucket hat […]