Today (Australian TV program)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Today

The Today Show Logo
Also known as The Today Show
Genre Breakfast television
Directed by Casey Wrigley
Starring Co-Hosts
Karl Stefanovic
(2005 – present),
Lisa Wilkinson
(2007 – present),
News
Georgie Gardner
(2007 – present),
Sport
Cameron Williams
(2006 – present),
Weather
Steven Jacobs
(2004 – present),
Entertainment
Richard Wilkins
(1994 – present)
Country of origin Flag of Australia Australia
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 25
No. of episodes 6500 (approx)
Production
Executive
producer(s)		 Tom Malone
Producer(s) Matthew Mitchell
Gerry Campbell
Running time 210 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel Nine Network
Picture format 576i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Original run 28 June 1982 – present
External links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

Today, often referred to as The Today Show, is an Australian news program. The show is broadcast live by the Nine Network on weekday mornings. The Nine Network has been airing the show since 1982, and it has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.[1] The program is hosted by Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson, along with news presenter Georgie Gardner, sport presenter Cameron Williams, weather reporter Steven Jacobs, and network entertainment editor Richard Wilkins.

Contents

[edit] Format

Today, an offshoot of National Nine News, predominantly presents news, sport, weather, entertainment and current affairs, focusing on the first news of the day. However the show also features topics including consumer affairs, health, politics, education, fashion, and the business/finance world. The show has regular daily Poll Questions and Hot Topic segments, which is a chance for viewers to send in emails, sms, and log onto the website and post their opinions. The program initially broadcast from 7am until 9am. It later moved to 6am replacing the National Nine Early News. In 2008 the programme began airing from 5:30am.

[edit] History

Screencaps of the first Today Show, that aired on 28 June 1982.
Screencaps of the first Today Show, that aired on 28 June 1982.

Officially launched as The National Today Show, [2] Today is Australia’s longest running morning breakfast news program [3]. The show premiered on Monday 28 June 1982 and is celebrating 25 years of continuous broadcasting in 2007[1]

The original hosts, Steve Liebmann and Sue Kellaway, spent four years together before Liebmann left to the read the evening news for Network Ten in Sydney. Former 60 Minutes reporter George Negus took over the male anchoring role. After four years, Liebmann returned to the Nine Network, hosting Today with Liz Hayes and Tracy Grimshaw. However, in December 2004, 60-year-old Liebmann suffered a mild heart attack, [4] prompting him to retire from the stresses of breakfast television.[5] In 2005, National Nine News reporter Karl Stefanovic took over from Liebmann as co-host. Grimshaw then left Today at the end of 2005 to take over from Ray Martin as host of A Current Affair. While, it had been widely speculated in the Australian press that Seven Network news presenter Chris Bath would co-host Today with Stefanovic from January 2006, the position instead went to former Network Ten news presenter Jessica Rowe.[6]

Current 2008 Today Show team featuring programs hosts.
Current 2008 Today Show team featuring programs hosts.

Rowe had mixed beginnings as the co-host of Today with some viewers and commentators attacking her because of her dress-sense and her apparent over-happiness, citing her constant nervous laughter[7]. Following her court case against Network Ten, Rowe was subjected to comments from the media and viewers that she should be sacked and was not right for the role of Today[8]. Rowe's replacement whilst on maternity leave was Sarah Murdoch[9] and Kellie Connolly, both who saw a significant increases in ratings.[10]. They both presented until Rowe's departure from the show, when the Nine Network released a press statement on 5 May 2007 saying Rowe had left the Nine Network to 'take up other opportunities for her career'.[11] As of 28 May 2007, former co-host of Weekend Sunrise, Lisa Wilkinson took over the female co-hosting duties.

[edit] Brand Extension

After the initial success of Today, a Saturday edition was produced in the early nineties, hosted by Tracy Grimshaw. Grimshaw was followed by Tara Brown and Richard Wilkins, before reporter Helen Dalley joined the program in 1996. Today on Saturday aired between 8 and 9am, and featured more political and economical reports. Newsreaders included Michael Usher, Anna Coren and Mark Burrows. However, in 2002 due to budget cuts by the Nine Network, Today on Saturday was cancelled.

[edit] 25th Anniversary

Today celebrated its 25th year of broadcasting on 28 June 2007 [1], by travelling to five different Australian cities in one week, which had never been before attempted by an Australian television show. Former Today presenters and musical guests were involved[12].

On the official day marking the 25th anniversary, past Today presenters who made an appearance included Ian Ross, Tracy Grimshaw, Monte Dwyer, Liz Hayes, George Negus as well as Eric Walters, Helen Dalley and Kellie Connolly. Sami Lukis who replaced Monte Dwyer did not appear, nor did original co-host Sue Kellaway. Original co-host Steve Liebmann was also unable to attend, nor was current weather presenter Steve Jacobs, however video messages from both were aired [13].

[edit] Anchors

The principal anchors/hosts of the show have included:

[edit] Current Presenters

Presenter Role Tenure
Karl Stefanovic Co-Anchor 2005-
Lisa Wilkinson Co-Anchor 2007-
Georgie Gardner News 2007-
Steve Jacobs Weather 2004-
Richard Wilkins Entertainment fill-in reporter 1994-
Cameron Williams Sport 2006-

[edit] Substitute Presenters and Anchors

Cameron Williams, Richard Wilkins, Georgie Gardner and Kellie Connolly are the main substitute presenters of the program, often filling-in for Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson respectively. Allison Langdon is the usual substitute news anchor, while Gorgi Quill or Giaan Rooney presenter the weather on occasions.

Substitute presenters in recent years have included Sharyn Ghidella, Leila McKinnon, Kellie Connolly, Kim Watkins, Helen Dalley, Ali Moore, Amanda Paterson, Peter FitzSimons, Peter Overton, Michael Usher, Ken Sutcliffe, Mark Ferguson, Jennifer Keyte, Garry Lyon, Eddie McGuire, Sarah Murdoch, Terry Willesee and even Clive James on one occasion while the show was broadcasting from London. Former Victorian Premier Joan Kirner has hosted the show on one occasion. Majella Wiemers, Kim Watkins, Ben Fordham, Helen Kapalos, Sarah Harris, Heather Foord and Chris Smith have all, among others read the news on occasions.

[edit] Bulletins and Regular Segments

[edit] News

The idea of providing the latest news has been critical to the function of the program. Under the current three-hour format, six main bulletins are delivered, once every half-hour. News anchors have included the following:

[edit] Sports

Before 2006, the Today newsreader presented the sports report. However in 2006, the show introduced a separate sports presenter and bulletin. Cameron Williams presents live and current sports news after the news bulletin every half-hour. In addition to the sports bulletins, Today every Friday (during the NRL and AFL seasons) has reports from past NRL player Ben Ikin and past AFL player Dermott Brereton, who both suggest their own football tips live on the show for that weekends round. On Tuesday's show, they both return to analyse the past weekends football action and review their own tips.

[edit] Weather

Currently, Today presents weather after each news and sport bulletin, every half-hour. Steven Jacobs is the current weather presenter and he travels the country and occasionally the world, presenting the weather from somewhere new each day or in the studio. Weather presenters have included:

[edit] Entertainment

Today's entertainment presenter, Richard Wilkins (The Nine's Network Entertainment Editor), presents daily features, interviews, movie and television reviews, and reports, from right across the world of showbiz [14]. Additionally, Richard Reid is the show's Hollywood Entertainment Reporter. He delivers daily reports live from Hollywood each day, along with his own Ask Richard and Spray of the Day segments [15].

[edit] Traffic Watch

A number of traffic reporters present reports during the program from the Nine Network helicopter. They are scheduled generally each half an hour before the news bulletins in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

[edit] Competition with Sunrise

For 20 years, Today consistently won the morning breakfast ratings period. However, since the 2002 revamp of the competing Sunrise on the Seven Network, Today suffered a slump in its ratings [16]. In an instant effort to improve these ratings, the Nine Network attempted to make radical changes to the program's format. Additionally, the Nine Network has employed a large budget re-vamping and shifting the Today set several times, in an effort to find a formula that can compete with Sunrise's Sydney CBD street-side setting. Despite this large expenditure, Sunrise has achieved greater financial and viewing success.

In the last three years, Sunrise has won the ratings battle, averaging more than 150,000 more viewers than Today [17]. However, during 2007 Today has slightly improved its ratings and made significant gains in audience. With a 9% rise year-on-year between 7 and 9am, and a 16% hike in the key 6 to 7am newshour [18]. In contrast, Sunrise has slumped four per cent year-on-year in the 7 to 9am timeslot. While, in Melbourne (where Nine is very dominant) alone Today has won the morning breakfast slot every week since May in the 2007 ratings by a large and considerable margin [19][20].

[edit] Broadcasting

Due to the fact that Australia has more than one time zone, Today is not always broadcast live to the entire nation. While, New South Wales (including ACT), Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland have Today aired live all year round, the Northern Territory has Today delayed thirty minutes during winter and one-and-half hours during daylight savings. South Australia is delayed by thirty minutes and Western Australia by two hours all year round. During daylight savings, Queensland receives Today live however between 5 and 8.30am, with an extra Qld-only half-an-hour [21].

[edit] Other National and International Broadcasts

Imparja and WIN Television air Today between 5.30 and 9am on the eastern coast of Australia. They also air the show weekdays between 5.00 and 8.30am local time in other Australian locations. In addition to Australia, Today is broadcast in New Zealand [22], Papua New Guinea and Fiji. The Prime Network airs Today weekdays between 8 and 11am local time in New Zealand, in Papua New Guinea on EMTV, and in Fiji on Fiji Television [23].

[edit] International Connections

Even though the name of the show is the same as America's NBC Today Show, it has no link to its American namesake. But ironically, Today airs Good Morning America between 4.00 and 5.30am due to affiliate agreements [24]. However, its rival on the Seven Network, Sunrise, follows the American NBC Today Show format, including a streetside studio. The Seven Network also airs much of the American version between 4 and 6am, preceding Sunrise.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c History - Nine Network, 28 June 2007
  2. ^ National Today Show - National Film and Sound Archive, 07 November 2007
  3. ^ Longest Breakfast Program - Commonwealth Bank, 31 August 2007.
  4. ^ Liebmann Heart Attack - Heart Research, 10 May 2005
  5. ^ "Liebmann leaves Today", The Age, 2005-01-09. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  6. ^ Malkin, Bonnie. "Channel Nine bags news star of Ten", The Sydney Morning Herald, 2005-12-19. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  7. ^ Topham, Gwyn. "Rowe laughs last and loudest", The Sydney Morning Herald, 2006-01-31. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  8. ^ Murray, Lisa. "Poison, pay cuts and the plan to sack Jessica Rowe", The Sydney Morning Herald, 2006-07-01. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  9. ^ Jameson, Julietta. "Nine turns to a Murdoch to boost ratings", The Sun-Herald, 2006-11-12. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  10. ^ "Jessica Rowe leaves Channel 9", The Australian, 2007-05-06. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  11. ^ "Nine 'bones' Rowe", The Sydney Morning Herald, 2007-05-06. Retrieved on 2007-11-18. 
  12. ^ Celebrating 25 years - Today Website, 01 June 2007
  13. ^ Anniversary - Throng, 30 May 2007
  14. ^ Richard Wilkins - Mediaman, 07 November 2007
  15. ^ Richard Reid - eBroadcast, 30 October 2007
  16. ^ Sunrise Success - Crikey, 11 May 2007
  17. ^ Improvement of Today Ratings - eBroadcast, 22 May 2007
  18. ^ Hike In - Today Website, 10 May 2007
  19. ^ Winning In Melbourne - News Limited, 13 June 2007
  20. ^ Today Melbourne Success - eBroadcast, 06 June 2007
  21. ^ Live At Five In Queensland - Today Website, 19 October 2007
  22. ^ New Zealand - Today Show, 05 March 2007
  23. ^ Broadcast Locations - Pjreview, 10 September 2004
  24. ^ Affiliate Agreements - Transdiffusion, 07 November 2007

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Presenters of The Today Show
Current Team
Hosts: Karl Stefanovic & Lisa Wilkinson - News: Georgie Gardner - Sport: Cameron Williams - Weather: Steven Jacobs - Entertainment: Richard Wilkins & Richard Reid - Finance: Ross Greenwood or Joanna Townsend
Anchors
Today on Saturday
News Readers
Weather Presenters
Brian Bury - Monte Dwyer - Sami Lukis - Steven Jacobs
Others
v • d • e
Television News & Current Affairs in Australia
ABC News
Seven News
National Nine News
Ten News
SBS World News
Regional News
Other
Television in Australia · Regional television in Australia · List of Australian television presenters
v • d • e
Breakfast Television in Australia

Seven Network: Sunrise  · Nine Network: Today  · Network Ten: Ten Early News  · Sky News Australia: First Edition