Currently broadcasting live from France, Today hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo could be awarded a gold medal for their polished professionalism.
But the pair are actually facing one of the biggest tests of their career in fronting Channel Nine’s Paris Olympics coverage.
“Nine took an enormous gamble in shelling out an eye-watering $305 million for the exclusive rights to airing the next five Olympic Games,” a TV insider tells New Idea. “With all the big events happening during the night Australian time, Karl and Sarah are the viewers’ first port of call each morning for all the big Olympic news and coverage.
“If Today doesn’t deliver a huge ratings spike during this two-week period, serious questions will be asked about the value of Nine’s investment in the Games.”
It’s certainly pressure for Karl, 49, and Sarah, 38. But behind the scenes, the pair have hosted an informal summit, agreeing to maintain a ‘business as usual’ attitude while at the same time striving to deliver work of the highest quality.
Colleagues including Brooke Boney, Alex Cullen, and Allison Langdon, who are also in Paris, “support that stance”, adds our source.
“If they think too much about what’s at stake, they all agree that it could affect their performance,” our insider explains.
Given the challenges the wider Nine crew have already faced in Paris, it’s hardly surprising that both Karl and Sarah, in particular, are feeling the strain.
Two Nine broadcast technicians were attacked during an attempted robbery, and reporter Leila McKinnon shared an Instagram Story showing her camera crew being protected by Parisian police while filming in the city.
Australian Olympians have also been warned against wearing their green and gold uniforms in public due to fears the clothing could see our athletes targeted by criminals – and an Australian woman was allegedly raped in Paris just before the Olympics began.
“It’s not all fun and games in France right now,” our source says. “Karl and Sarah have reported on big stories from many hot spots around the globe – but the environment in Paris, as well as the network pressures over Nine’s investment, make this a job like no other.”
Now that the Games are underway, Karl and Sarah will no doubt be focusing on the job at hand – leaving the number crunching to executives higher up the chain.
“But they are all too aware that Today still trails their rival breakfast show Sunrise by some margin. With many shows being cancelled and TV talents being let go, they need Today’s coverage of the Olympics to be an unqualified success,” our source says.
“Failure is simply not an option. There is too much on the line.”
