{"id":589911,"date":"2026-04-06T21:44:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T21:44:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/589911\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T21:44:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T21:44:18","slug":"karl-stefanovic-set-to-part-ways-with-channel-9-as-21-year-old-primed-to-replace-him-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/589911\/","title":{"rendered":"Karl Stefanovic set to ‘part ways’ with Channel 9 as 21-year-old ‘primed’ to replace him revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Channel 9 veteran Karl Stefanovic<\/a> has again been rumoured to be ditching the network he’s called home for more than two decades, and his Today show<\/a> successor has apparently already been found.<\/p>\n

Sources inside ARN, the radio network currently embattled in a lawsuit with Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson,<\/a> claimed the TV host had recently signed a “memorandum of understanding” with them and could soon “part ways” with Nine, according to The Australian<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 51-year-old’s contract with Channel 9 is reportedly set to expire in December.<\/p>\n

This is the second time this year that Karl has been dogged by speculation that his days on the Today show are numbered.<\/p>\n

Channel 9 told Yahoo Lifestyle<\/a> in a statement back in February that they were focusing on the year ahead.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re incredibly proud of our Today team and the work they\u2019ve been doing in an already busy 2026 and delighted that, as announced at the Nine Upfronts back in October, Sarah [Abo] and Karl continue to lead the incredible Today team in what will be a big year full of headlines and events that affect the lives of our viewers,” a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

Channel 9 and ARN were approached by Yahoo Lifestyle for this latest rumour but is yet to hear back.<\/p>\n

Entertainment journalist Peter Ford said he isn’t surprised by the news that Karl could be leaving Nine and starting a new job in radio.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s certainly been common talk within the industry for a couple of months now. Karl was only signed to a new one-year contract this year,\u201d Peter told 3AW Breakfast.<\/a><\/p>\n

“I\u2019d be surprised if Karl actually sees the year out to be honest.”<\/p>\n

Do you have a story to share? Contact au.lifestyle.ent@yahooinc.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Who could replace Karl on Today show?<\/p>\n

While Karl has been the face of Channel 9’s breakfast program for years, questions have been raised about who could take the reins if he left.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of other veteran journalists, presenters and hosts at Nine that could jump in Karl’s shoes.<\/p>\n

But a left-of-field person could leapfrog them all.<\/p>\n

Insiders told New Idea <\/a>that 21-year-old university student Chaad Hewitt could end up being Karl’s successor.<\/p>\n

He has close to 700,000 Instagram followers and 500,000 TikTok followers, and has appeared on Today several times.<\/p>\n

\"Chaad<\/p>\n

Chaad Hewitt has appeared on Channel 9’s Today show a few times and could take over from Karl Stefanovic. Source: Instagram\/Chaad Hewitt<\/p>\n

Chaad was reportedly “hand-picked” by Karl and is “primed” to take over his coveted spot.<\/p>\n

“Nine is looking for young talent with built-in fans who actually know their way around a viral trend. That\u2019s the new reality,” a source told New Idea.<\/p>\n

“You can\u2019t blame the bosses for thinking outside the box. With Today still chasing Sunrise in the ratings, it\u2019s time to try something new.”<\/p>\n

They added added that some of Chaad’s social media clips have more views than an entire episode of Today.<\/p>\n

Chaad and Karl are both represented by SF Management, who have been approached by Yahoo Lifestyle for comment.<\/p>\n

Media commentator Andrew Mercado told Yahoo Lifestyle<\/a> in February that Channel 9 should go with a bold new lineup on Today to shake things up.<\/p>\n

“I always think when you come in second place, you’ve got to try to get up there and come first,” he said.<\/p>\n

“You have to take a risk.<\/p>\n

“While they will [probably] go for a very steady person that they think will work, it could be that the way for Today to get ahead is to do something really startlingly different.”<\/p>\n

Karl’s history with Channel 9<\/p>\n

Stefanovic first joined the network in 1994 as a cadet reporter at WIN in Rockhampton and Cairns.<\/p>\n

After a stint in New Zealand and at Channel 10, he came back to Channel 9 in 2000 as a reporter and back-up presenter for 9News in Brisbane.<\/p>\n

Five years later, he replaced Today host Steve Liebmann and was in the main seat until 2018.<\/p>\n

During that tenure, he shared hosting duties with Tracy Grimshaw, Jessica Rowe, Lisa Wilkinson, and Georgie Gardner.<\/p>\n

In 2019, Channel 9 tried an all-female lineup of Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner.<\/p>\n

But the following year, Karl made his return alongside Allison Langdon, who stayed on the show until she was replaced by Sarah Abo in 2023.<\/p>\n

Karl launched his own self-funded podcast in January, which sees him speak to influential Australians such as Bob and Robbie Katter, Kyle Sandilands and Charlie Teo.<\/p>\n

Want the latest lifestyle and entertainment news? Make sure to follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram, <\/a>and TikTok<\/a>. <\/p>\n