The only way they could make that format work would to be consolidate the back end editorial, producers and production roles to be in Sydney and then just have the local presenters.
Can confirm yet again on her Social Media.
Samantha Armytage will be joined by Tom Steinfort this week
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Which is what ch7 does for "local"national news and I find it disingenuous, I would prefer just to see the Sydney news instead of someone re-reading the news.
Perhaps today could pop in a local segment done by a quality freelancer but it would be a paint job effort.
When do they do this? 4pm and 6pm feature local news, and Sunrise Perth News features Perth stories.
that would cost ever more! And again itâs not just one person whoâs needed.
Local morning shows are something sorely missed in Australia I think but to be honest I think itâs a ship thatâs sailed.
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Its 1830 hrs news ,horror movie i know ,but in the central west nsw our local national news is re read by Daniel Gibson or whoever is able. They read the same stuff, but with a different face as the metro service .
Oh I see. Well thatâs to cut out all the irrelevant Sydney stuff isnât it, for the regional market?
But anyway, unrelated to the issues at the Today show or the idea of local editions.
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Indeed it is I simply answered your query involving mixed localism which this thread is currently working through.
According to The Australianâs Media Diary, Sam Armytage is a âlockâ to eventually replace Sarah Abo full-time.
The paper also notes that Tom Steinfort has recently sold his Melbourne home, adding to speculation he will relocate to Sydney to replace Karl.
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Yes but the suggestion wouldnât be 5 or 8 shows doing the same thing, the suggestion is for localised versions with local content.
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So what will happen to the dual presenters for Melbourne. Will Alicia do solo rounds?
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Now if Tom & Sam chemistry will survive this week. I guarantee theyâll be the permanent hosts for The Today Show. But I was hoping to see Sarah back on the show.
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Thereâs a lot of speculation happening but what about this?
Donât you think it was always Todayâs intention to have Samantha Armytage to fill in for Sarah Abo when she went on maternity leave? After all, she was their choice over summer too. The spanner was thrown in the works when Sarah went on maternity leave early and they hadnât planned for it. I donât think they have a plan to replace Sarah unless she chooses not to renew her contract.
I think Today weâre thinking that Karl and Sam would work well together because they had already been quite friendly in the past. But then Karl blew up their whole plan with his antics. Will be interesting to see what happens with him in the future without his connection to Nine. He has gone really quiet now. Will he have a successful podcast career or will he fade into obscurity now?
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I think people are speculating all sorts of things so that whatever eventuality someone can say âon look just like I predictedâ
Itâs like Peter Ford saying âthe job is Samâs if she wants itâ⌠if she gets it he looks right if she doesnât he says âshe decided she didnât want itâ
Which funnily enough, Global News Morning programs in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, and Saskatoon all ended on July 31st (last week) due to cost cutting. A new, national morning program launches on August 4, 2026.
You can watch the final sign offs below:
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Much better pair than last week. Hopefully they continue this chemistry this week
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I donât understand the appeal of Tom? why do TV bosses like him so much?
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Iâm not sure. I liked Karl for a long time but 20 years is a long time and his schtick was wearing thin especially after Lisa left. Had a bit of a renaissance with Ally but the last few years have felt clear he didnât want to be there.
I think he was losing appeal and steam already so Iâm curious how sustainable his podcast can be.
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I think Karl will end up on Tapt. I donât see how his YouTube stuff could be viable long term with his audience already shrinking.