Sam Armytage exits Today amid Nine’s breakfast ratings headache

Nine presenter Samantha Armytage has wrapped her latest stint co-hosting Today, ending a temporary run alongside Nine News Melbourne presenter Tom Steinfort as the network continues to shape its breakfast line-up.

Armytage signed off on Wednesday, 2 September after returning to the breakfast desk in late August. Her latest run came during a period of significant change for Today, with Nine continuing to rotate presenters following the departure of former co-host Karl Stefanovic and the maternity leave of Sarah Abo.

READ MORE: The data doesn't lie: proof Karl Stefanovic could be Australia's Joe Rogan

READ MORE: Today reporter Tim Davies exits: “This job has made me the proudest Australian.”

Sunrise maintains clear ratings lead

The changes come as Seven’s Sunrise continues to hold a sizeable national audience advantage over Today.

OzTAM’s VOZ overnight data for Tuesday, 1 September recorded a national Total TV average audience of 473,000 for Sunrise. Today averaged 283,000, leaving a gap of 190,000 viewers.

A review by Mediaweek of six recent weekday VOZ reports (24 to 27 August, 31 August and 1 September) shows the gap has been consistent. Across those dates:

• Sunrise averaged approximately 460,000 viewers nationally.
• Today averaged approximately 290,000 viewers nationally.
• The average gap between the programs was 170,000 viewers.

On 26 August, Sunrise averaged 482,000 viewers compared with 305,000 for Today. The following day, the Seven program recorded 456,000 against Nine’s 288,000.

Nine continues reshaping Today

Stefanovic left Nine with immediate effect on 25 June, bringing forward a departure that had initially been planned for the end of 2026. Nine said at the time it was no longer possible for him to host Today while also running his independent podcast.

Armytage has been among several established Nine presenters to spend time behind the Today desk since then. Her departure from the latest fill-in run does not mark an exit from Nine. Armytage is also attached to the second season of The Golden Bachelor, which Nine says will return in 2026.

The breakfast program is also preparing for another change. Tim Davies, Today weather presenter, announced last week that he will leave the program after more than seven years, with his final day scheduled for Friday, 18 September.

Nine is yet to publicly confirm its permanent long-term breakfast line-up.