Fans have suggested a familiar pairing could help revive Nine’s Today show, calling for former Sunrise hosts Samantha Armytage and David “Kochie” Koch to reunite at the desk.
Today has been searching for a stable hosting lineup after Sarah Abo stepped away on maternity leave, and Karl Stefanovic departed the program following his controversial interview with UK activist Tommy Robinson.
Since then, Nine has trialled several presenters, including Armytage and Michael Willesee Jr., who are currently hosting the program, as well as Sylvia Jeffreys and Tom Steinfort.
Studio 10 executive producer Rob McKnight has suggested that bringing Kochie back alongside Armytage could provide the show with the boost it needs.
“Sam and Kochie were a winning pair who kept Sunrise at number one, even if their relationship frayed towards the end,” McKnight wrote for the Daily Mail.
He said a reunion between the former colleagues could give Today “the hook it needs”.
Koch, who hosted Sunrise for 21 years, left the program in 2023 to spend more time with his family and focus on other projects.
A 2GB listener recently suggested the pair reunite for breakfast television, with McKnight arguing that Kochie’s strong personality could help attract viewers.
“At least Kochie polarises viewers – a good thing. No one watches bland TV. Even those who hate Kochie watch him. He has opinions, and unlike Nine’s parade of bland, good-looking young presenters, he’s memorable,” McKnight said.
The suggestion comes as Nine continues to experiment with different hosting combinations. McKnight claimed the network had faced challenges with its current lineup, writing that Willesee had attracted “negative headlines” and industry discussion.
Armytage has also reportedly been involved in discussions over who joins her at the desk, with The Australian’s Media Diary reporting she blocked Joel Dry from appearing on Today at the last minute after allegedly describing him as a “cut-price Karl”.
Nine has not commented on whether Koch could return to breakfast television.
Image: Sunrise
