Inside plot to replace Karl Stefanovic on Today as Channel Nine take on Seven's Sunrise in ratings war

Channel Nine is preparing for life after Karl Stefanovic, with the network quietly plotting a major shake-up of the Today show.

It comes as the veteran presenter, 52, and co-host Sarah Abo, 39, embark on what insiders believe could be their final ratings campaign together.

An insider told Media Diary that Karl's succession plan was actively being 'war-gamed' at the highest levels inside Nine's North Sydney headquarters.

Some executives are calling for a radical overhaul of Today's long-running format, arguing the show must be 'blown up' and rebuilt from scratch if it's to ever seriously challenge Channel Seven's Sunrise in the ratings war.

Speculation is already swirling about who could replace Karl in the coveted co-hosting role.

Melbourne newsreader Tom Steinfort and newly appointed Brisbane evening anchor Joel Dry are both said to be in the running for Karl's job – while more ambitious voices inside the network believe Nine may attempt to poach Sunrise star Matt Shirvington. 

The shake-up comes as Karl approaches more than two decades at the helm of the number two breakfast show in the country. 

Despite being partnered with a parade of high-profile co-hosts over the years – including Jessica Rowe, Lisa Wilkinson, Allison Langdon and most recently, Sarah Abo – Today has consistently been beaten by Sunrise under Karl's tenure.

More recently, it was rumoured former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage would be replacing Abo after she defected to Channel Nine as host of The Golden Bachelor.

That plan was ultimately scrapped after Karl convinced executives to give him one last shot at the title alongside Abo. 

Karl recently launched his own YouTube podcast. 

Karl announced the news on Instagram last month, sharing a clip of himself hard at work in a recording studio.

'So, I have some pretty exciting news. I have this curious beast that lives inside my head, and I'm about to unleash that beast,' he said.

He reassured fans that as the project is entirely his own, he'd have full freedom over how the show is run.

'I am free and independent to talk to the people I am curious about. People who have done amazing things, people who have stories to tell,' he added.

'It's interesting, unscripted, unfiltered and uncensored. I am going to unleash the beast. Are you ready to walk on the wild side? The Karl Stefanovic Show is coming soon, it's going to be fun.'

He revealed some of the things he hoped to achieve with this podcast and the very surprising person he will have as the show's first guest.

'A few decades on the telly has given me a very good bulls**t metre – and an eye for a bloody great story,' he explained.

'This show will be the people I know you want to hear from too – across politics, sport, business and culture. I'll go there. Why not? No spin. Lots of fun.'

Karl began his role on the Today show in 2005 but was later sacked following a ratings slump that coincided with intense media scrutiny of his personal life.

The program's ratings decline began around September 2016, when news broke that Karl had separated from Cassandra Thorburn, his wife and the mother of his three children.

A few months later, he started dating his now-wife Jasmine, who was ten years his junior.

He was then embroiled in the 'Ubergate' scandal in 2018, when he and his brother Peter were overheard discussing private matters in the back of an Uber, just months before he was dropped from Today.

An Uber driver transporting Peter revealed details of a conversation the TV journalist had while on speakerphone with Karl.

The Uber driver later sold his story to New Idea, claiming Karl had criticised then co-host Georgie Gardner during the speakerphone call.

Karl was dramatically dumped from the program only days after his lavish wedding in Mexico, though he continued hosting This Time Next Year until its axing in October and later worked with 60 Minutes.

He made his return to the Today show in early 2020, joining Allison Langdon at the desk.