The truth is out!

Channel Nine has come out swinging and dismissed the intense rumours that Sarah Abo might be replaced by Samantha Armytage.

Fears for Sarah grew after Sam, 49, moved to Channel Nine and temporarily took on hosting duties on Today when Sarah was on leave over the summer.

Then, this week, reports began to circulate that Samantha might also be taking over as co-host alongside Karl Stefanovic, with some fans threatening to switch off over the rumours.

Now, News.com.au has revealed that it presented 17 questions to the network about the matter, but it only responded to one. When asked what Sam could bring to the role that Sarah couldn’t, the spokesperson said it was “preposterous.”

Prior to this, Channel Nine put the replacement rumours to rest by confirming that Sarah, 39, will return to Today alongside Karl in 2026.

The news was announced at the Nine Upfronts on October 15, where the broadcaster’s slate of programming for the 2026 season was unveiled.
Sarah Abo has been confirmed among the slate of Today Show presenters for 2026 after rumours she would be replaced. (Credit: Channel Nine )
Today will continue to be a morning staple on the network over the next year with Karl and Sarah at the helm, alongside a string of other presenters – though none include Sunrise veteran Sam.

Jayne Azzopardi will be helming the news, while Renee Bargh and Richard Wilkins will continue on entertainment, with Danika Mason covering sports.

Tim Davies will also return as the show’s weather presenter, while Today Extra will continue with hosts Sylvia Jeffreys and David Campbell.

Though Sam will not be joining Today, she is taking on hosting responsibilities on The Golden Bachelor, which is set to hit screens on October 20.

Just hours before Upfronts, Sam excitedly revealed she was entering a “new era” in her career after moving from Channel Seven to Nine.
It had been rumoured that Samantha Armytage could be replacing Sarah on the program. (Credit: Getty)
“A new era is about to arrive,” she gushed on Instagram, alongside a photograph of her hosting The Golden Bachelor.

Sam’s big move to Channel Nine sparked speculation that she will sign on to other major shows on the network.

Earlier this week, The Australian claimed that Sarah, who has hosted the Today Show since 2023, could be axed in favour of Sunrise veteran Sam.
The publication claimed that Nine was looking at its hosting roster in a bid to try and win the ratings war against its rival Sunrise.

Sunrise has been the top-rated breakfast show in Australia for 21 consecutive years, but the annual ratings battle is set to begin anew in January.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Samantha Armytage (@sam_armytage)

The rumours circulated after Sam stepped in to front Today over the summer break alongside weather presenter Dan Astley, while Karl and Sarah were on leave.

Despite it being short-lived, her appearance generated a spike in ratings and a favourable response from regular viewers of the show who took to social media to ask the Nine Network to have her on co-hosting duties full-time.

“Sam is great! I’m watching Today again now,” one fan wrote online earlier this year.

Speaking exclusively with New Idea at the time, an insider source revealed that Sam had made it “very clear” she wanted to step into the position full-time if Sarah ever vacated it.

“Sam has all the top dogs at Nine wrapped around her little finger, thanks to her holiday performance,” they added.
Karl and Sarah have co-hosted the Today Show together since 2023. (Credit: Channel Nine)
Despite being on rival networks for years, Karl and Sam have always enjoyed a close bond, having shared a talent manager and attending each other’s birthday celebrations.

Karl has even taken to social media to defend Sam against trolls and referred to her as his “sister” in interviews – actions he never took for his female colleagues at Today.

It was previously claimed that Sarah was in the throes of renegotiating her current $800k contract, which The Australian has previously reported is significantly less than Karl’s mammoth $2.8m – despite the duo working the same hours and performing the same duties.