An inside source has lifted the lid on the panicked situation inside Nine’s Sydney newsroom over claims Samantha Armytage could soon replace Sarah Abo as Karl Stefanovic’s Today show co-host.

Nine staff are divided over reports Samantha Armytage could soon replace Sarah Abo as Karl Stefanovic’s co-host on the Today show, a report has claimed.

The Australian on Monday reported network executives were planning to make the move to supplant Seven’s Sunrise as Australia’s most popular breakfast show.

However, a Nine insider told Daily Mail Australia some staff are “terrified” of Armytage taking over the desk beside Stefanovic.

The source said the panic stems from the belief Armytage was challenging to work with at Sunrise alongside David Koch.

Yet supporters of the reshuffle are confident the move could increase the breakfast show’s audience, creating a clear divide among staff.

“There’s a big team split at Nine,” the insider said.

“Junior staff on Today are terrified to work for Sam because of her reputation for being a bit difficult at Sunrise.

“The more senior people get it. They think that she will bring in new audience…and Today needs it.”

Samantha Armytage could replace Today co-host Sarah Abo, according to a report. Picture: Hanna Lassen/Getty Images for TV WEEK Logies Award

Sarah Abo is “frustrated” over Nine’s handling of the report. Picture: 60 Minutes
The source said, despite their hopes, senior staffers were also concerned Samantha and Karl could “blow each other up with their egos”.

Today staff have reportedly being left in the dark about the behind-closed-doors discussions, with some requesting urgent clarification from their bosses.

The TV host is renegotiating her contract with Nine for a bumper pay increase from her current $800,000 a year, a whopping $2 million less than Stefanovic despite working the same job and hours.

A senior executive said they would want to sign a contract by the end of the day to put a stop to Armytage if they were Sarah.

As for Abo herself, she is said to be “frustrated” over Nine’s handling of the report, but still put on a brave face on the show this week.

Her position at the network remains unclear, with Nine CEO Matt Stanton tight-lipped on whether she could be at Nine in the new year.

“I suspect so,” Mr Stanton told The Australian.

He was even less forthcoming about the Stefanovic-Armytage team-up.

“I don’t know. I’m not into that level, to be honest. I haven’t seen that level of detail,” he said of the reshuffle.

Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo attend the 65th TV WEEK Logie Awards at Sydney’s The Star in August. Picture: Don Arnold/WireImage

David Koch and Samantha Armytage Helmed Seven’s Sunrise from 2013 to 2021. Picture: Daniel Pockett/WireImage)
Nine’s TV kingpin Michael Healy dubbed Armytage and Stefanovic his “dream” Today show duo as Nine’s top brass eye her for the high-profile breakfast role, according to sources who spoke to the publication.

Armytage sat on the Sunrise couch alongside David Koch from 2013 until 2021.

The combination of Armytage and Koch saw Sunrise consistently take the lead in the morning TV wars against rival Today.

Armytage defected from her longtime employer Seven to Nine in October 2024 and was unveiled as host of the network’s new dating show The Golden Bachelor.

The Golden Bachelor is a new twist on the popular Bachelor dating franchise and will see a group of older Australians competing for the hearts of Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, a widower in his 50s from Manly in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, on October 20.