Today show host Karl Stefanovic has been replaced by Charles Croucher and James Bracey, as he attends a lavish wedding in Paris.
But the breakfast show star’s absence is doing wonders for the ratings, with numbers increasing, not decreasing, while she’s been away.
The show moved to its strongest ratings in four weeks with Carl Away, gaining 191,760 viewers on Monday.
There is still competition from Sunrise, however, with more eyes on the series thanks to new host Matt Shirvington, who recently replaced David ‘Kochi’ Koch.
Sunrise Today smashed over five capital cities with 66,000 viewers during Shirvington’s debut on June 12.
Today show host Karl Stefanovic (pictured) was replaced by Charles Croucher and James Bracey as he attended a lavish wedding in Paris. But the breakfast show star’s absence is doing wonders for the ratings, with numbers increasing, not decreasing, while she’s been away.
That lead grew by another 10,000 by June 19, bringing 245,192 viewers to Sunrise.
It comes after Carl left town for the lavish society wedding of millionaire chicken heiress Tami Ingham and chef Guillaume Brahimi in Paris.
Stefanovic, who has long been friends with Brahimi after being introduced by mutual acquaintance James Packer, served as emcee at the ritzy wedding, which spanned two dramatic days, culminating in a reception at the famed Maxim’s Bistro.
The 48-year-old, father-of-four was pictured living in the French capital with wife Jasmine, attending a welcome soiree in Paris at cult restaurant Giraffe on Tuesday evening.
The following day he was seen arriving for the ceremony at the sprawling Museum Mondi where Brahimi officially tied the knot with Tammy – a member of the Ingham Chicken family that sold the poultry business for $800 million in 2013.
There’s still competition from Sunrise, however, with more eyes on the series thanks to new host Matt Shirvington (pictured), who recently replaced David ‘Kochi’ Koch.
Carl and Jasmine, who are staying in a $13,000-a-night hotel while in Paris, will spend a total of two weeks abroad with Stefanovic to resume hosting on June 26.
After a week soaking up the sights of Paris, the Channel Nine breakfast show host and his wife moved onto their billionaire partner’s $250 million yacht, which is currently docked on the Italian resort island of Sardinia.
Today boss Steve Burling, who defended Stefanovic’s day off, said the unfortunate timing was ‘pure coincidence’.
‘[Karl] This two week holiday was booked months in advance. The fact that his holiday coincides with Shirvo’s first day is pure coincidence. Nothing else,’ he said.
‘Carl hasn’t had a day off since hitting the ground running during the Australian Open in January.’
Shirvington’s impressive start marks a seamless start for the former sprinter who takes over after the coach stepped down after more than two decades.
Carl left town with his wife Jasmine for the luxury society wedding of millionaire chicken heiress Tammy Ingham and chef Guillaume Brahimi in Paris (left).
After a week soaking up the sights of Paris, the Channel Nine breakfast show host and his wife moved onto their billionaire partner’s $250 million yacht, which is currently docked on the Italian resort island of Sardinia. Pictures on holidays
Steve Allen, senior media analyst at independent media agency Pearman Media, recently described Shirvington as a suitable successor to Koch mainly because both men are ‘genuinely relatable’ and do not appear pre-determined by personal life dramas like Stefanovic.
‘Because let’s be honest…Carl doesn’t always seem genuine,’ Allen told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Seems like he’s always documenting some mischievous things he’s done.
Hardly a year goes by without Carl being involved in some snafu.
‘And while she may try to appear relatable, at the end of the day her personal life suggests otherwise… she’s always attending Silver Spoon social events, going to celebrity weddings and finding an A-list posse of friends.
‘(Producers today) might not want us to judge him but the reality is the audience does judge and it’s a one off.’
In comparison Shirvington is ‘really down to earth’, Allen said.
‘Matt Shirvington doesn’t seem like someone interested in that world. He may not be that urbane but he’s definitely relatable.’
Sunrise broke Today with a lead of 66,000 viewers over the five capital cities during Shirvington’s debut on 12 June.
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