EXCLUSIVE: The telling sign Rodger Corser will replace Karl Stefanovic on Today

Is Rodger the next face of breakfast TV?

Rodger Corser is hot property in TV land right now, thanks to the ratings-busting success of The Floor.

The hit game show, now on its second series, has commanded close to 2 million viewers per night, with its celebrity guests amping up interest.

“Channel Nine executives are understandably ecstatic,” a TV insider exclusively tells New Idea.

As a result, that success has put Rodger, 53, firmly in the frame to potentially replace Karl Stefanovic at Today, when his contract concludes at the end of this year.

It’s been widely speculated that, after more than 20 years of brekky TV, Karl, 51, won’t continue beyond the end of this year.

“Rodger has suddenly come in to focus as the perfect person to replace Karl,” our source says.

“He can handle a ‘big-ticket’ TV program, he’s smart, likeable and knowledgeable – and let’s face it, he looks good on camera,” our source adds.

“The execs at Nine would love to sign him up for Today – when that co-host spot becomes available.”

Rodger’s already enjoyed a long career on camera in Australia – both as an actor and host.

He starred in five seasons of Doctor Doctor and has also had starring roles in Five Bedrooms, Underbelly and Rush.

Rodger also hosted two seasons of The Traitors Australia before it was cancelled by Channel 10 in 2023. It is now being rebooted, but Rodger will be replaced by Big Brother host Gretel Killeen.

But it’s the success of The Floor, which first aired on Australian TV in 2025, that has really shone the spotlight on Rodger’s appeal.

With the star holding all the cards in any potential discussions about moving to Today, our TV insider adds that, “Rodger could practically name his price. If the Nine execs want him in that job, they’ll have to be prepared to pay a significant amount of money.”

With The Floor only consisting of 15 episodes per season, Rodger could make time in his schedule to accommodate working on Today.

And with fewer local acting productions getting commissioned these days “he could well consider an offer from Today, if it’s something he wants to do, seriously,” our source adds.

Other names in the mix to one day replace Karl have included TikTok star Chaad Hewitt, Weekend Sunrise co-host David Woiwod and former Weekend Today host Clint Stanaway.

But now those contenders have well and truly been overtaken by Rodger our source says.

“He’s in pole position,” they add.

Hayden Quinn reveals what The Floor host Rodger Corser is REALLY like

Thankfully, host Rodger Corser does his job well, guiding the contestants to focus on the game, rather than their TV nerves!

“He’s super chilled, really friendly, brings everyone back down to earth and just like makes it feel like a lot of fun, but also very serious at the same time,” Hayden says.

“He has a lot of fun with it and brings the nerves down, gets everyone focused.”

Needless to say, having always wanted to appear on a game show, The Floor was a dream come true for Hayden, and it certainly lived up to expectations

Speculation is already rife.

NEED TO KNOW

• Sarah Abo is expecting her first child with her husband, Cyrus Moran.
• Her due date is not known, but she is expected to head on maternity leave in 2026.
• Major names have already been put forward about who will step in for Sarah.

Rumours are already swirling about who Sarah Abo’s maternity leave cover on the Today Show will be amid the news that she is expecting her first child.

The presenter, 39, announced on-air that she is expecting a baby boy with her husband, Cyrus Moran, with speculation rife about who will step in for her.

While Samantha Armytage’s name is firmly in the running, some other major names have already emerged as favourites to take on the role.

They will be tough shoes to fill as Karl Stefanovic has previously hinted that he has no interest in doing the Today Show without Sarah.

Read on for everyone who has been put forward to step in for Sarah on her maternity leave.

Who will replace Sarah Abo on the Today Show?

Insiders at Channel Nine have claimed Today Extra co-host Sylvia Jeffreys and Weekend Today host Alison Piotrowski are favourites to take over from Sarah.

According to news.com.au, the two women are frontrunners to take over Sarah’s place, but it won’t guarantee them a permanent slot on the Today Show.

New Idea can also reveal that Samantha Armytage is motivated to land the coveted gig on the show, after stepping in to host over the summer holidays.

“Sam has to be a shoo-in to replace Sarah,” a TV insider dished to New Idea.

“This was never planned, but Sam is throwing her hat in the ring for the gig.

“It’s exactly the type of situation she’s been after – a permanent role but not one that will go on forever.”

Sam has insisted she doesn’t want to return to breakfast TV full-time, but insiders have claimed she’d be open to another temporary stint.

“I am completely happy to just stay in prime time now with the alarms going off at reasonable hours like 6 am,” Sam quipped to the Something To Talk About podcast.

It is not the first time that the former Sunrise star has been linked to Sarah’s role, after rumours swirled that she could take over from Sarah after stepping in over the summer holidays.

Is Karl Stefanovic going to be replaced on the Today Show?

Before Sarah’s pregnancy news, rumours were swirling about a permanent shake-up on the Today Show couch, which Nine firmly denied.

However, with Karl now having launched his very own podcast, not linked to Nine, speculation has remained that the duo’s time left on the couch might be limited.

Karl has just 10 months left on his contract with the Today Show and has insisted he has no interest in leading the show without Sarah.

“I don’t even know what I’m doing next year,” Karl recently told the now-defunct The Kyle and Jackie O Show.