Sarah Abo has reportedly inked a new deal to remain on Today alongside Karl Stefanovic in 2026 after rumours ex-Sunrise host Samantha Armytage could be in line for the coveted job.
Armytage, who is currently hosting The Golden Bachelor, will be filling in for Stefanovic and Abo over the Christmas break alongside Nova radio host Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli.
Despite speculation that Armytage is being considered for a more permanent role at Today, it is understood Abo has signed a new contract that will see her keep her seat on the popular breakfast show.
Abo was all smiles during Thursday’s morning broadcast amid a landslide of news articles about Armytage’s impending guest hosting gig.
While Karl, 51, and Sarah, 39, will be taking a break over the Christmas period, they are set to return to the Today desk on 19 January 2026.
Abo and Stefanovic’s return will coincide with Nine’s flagship coverage of the Australian Open and the start of Nine’s refreshed programming lineup.
Industry website TV Blackbox has reported that Abo “has agreed to a new deal” to secure her future hosting the morning show alongside Stefanovic.
Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph’s Sunday Confidential has reported that Abo enlisted high profile celebrity accountant Anthony Bell to handle her contract negotiations.
Abo, who replaced Ally Langdon on the Today desk in 2022, is rumoured to be pulling in about $800,000 per year, while Stefanovic is pocketing an alleged $2 million per year.
It is unknown whether Abo’s new contract will bring her salary any closer to Stefanovic amid the ongoing decline in revenues among free-to-air broadcasters.
Armytage, 49, responded to the rumours she could replace Abo during a live radio interview with 2GB’s Ben Fordham last month.
“Sarah and Karl are fantastic,” she said.
The TV veteran then shut down the speculation and insisted she was very happy as the host of the Golden Bachelor.
“You know how it goes, people talk,” she told Fordham.
“But I am very happy in prime time – Golden Bachelor is where it’s at for me. I’m quite content with my little lot in life, thank you.”
The holiday period will begin with Today Extra’s David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys occupying the desk before Armytage and Wippa take over from mid-December until the end of the year.
Today will then be helmed by familiar Nine faces Alison Piotrowski, Dr Nick Coatsworth, Joel Dry, and Jayne Azzopardi for the first few weeks of 2026.
