Tom Steinfort has emerged as a significant contender for the permanent co-host position on the Today show, following a week of strong ratings performance during his guest stint. The respected Nine journalist, aged 41, has garnered positive feedback from both viewers and network insiders after stepping in to fill the vacant role left by Karl Stefanovic’s departure. While the Today show still faces a considerable challenge in closing the gap with its main rival, Seven’s Sunrise, ratings saw an upward trend during Steinfort’s time at the desk.

Ratings See Positive Movement During Steinfort’s “Today” Show Stint

On Wednesday, the Today show attracted 756,000 national viewers, marking an increase from the 696,000 viewers who tuned in the previous Wednesday when Michael Willesee Jr. was co-hosting. This positive momentum continued into Thursday, with the program drawing 722,000 viewers, up from 686,000 in the preceding week. These figures indicate a favorable response to Steinfort’s presence and suggest a potential for further growth.

Steinfort’s Experience and Familiarity with “Today”

Steinfort is no stranger to the Today show’s format or its audience. He previously served as the program’s newsreader in 2019 during the tenure of hosts Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner. His transition to co-hosting follows a successful career as one of the most recognizable reporters for the investigative journalism program 60 Minutes. Furthermore, he has experience with the breakfast television slot, having co-hosted Weekend Today. This established background makes his return to the Today desk a familiar and comfortable one.

Viewer Reception and Industry Insider Comments

The veteran journalist’s appearance alongside Samantha Armytage has been met with enthusiasm from viewers. Social media platforms saw comments praising Steinfort’s charisma and suitability for the permanent role. One viewer expressed, “I absolutely love love love Tom!! He has so much charisma, I’d love for him to take over from Karl.” Another commented on the chemistry observed, stating, “I have to say I watched this on the telly yesterday and thought Sam & Tom have great chemistry!”

An industry insider echoed these positive sentiments, telling The Daily Telegraph that Steinfort’s performance had successfully demonstrated his capabilities to the network. “This week was much more of a comfortable watch,” the insider commented. “Tom is a great pick, he has a strong work ethic. He is good… His wife is from Sydney, they could easily pack their bags.” This perspective highlights not only his professional merits but also his potential personal flexibility for the role.

Continued Co-Host Testing and Future Prospects

Despite the encouraging results, Nine’s search for a permanent co-host is ongoing. Steinfort is slated to continue in the co-hosting chair the following week, but Samantha Armytage will be stepping aside, to be replaced by Today Extra co-host Sylvia Jeffreys. This approach allows the network to evaluate different on-air pairings as they continue to assess their options.

Other contenders are also being considered for the coveted position. Veteran reporter Joel Dry is reportedly among the individuals being discussed, and he may also be given an opportunity to co-host alongside the Today team. This indicates that while Steinfort has made a strong impression, the final decision has not yet been made.

The Ongoing Breakfast Television Ratings Battle

Even with the recent improvements in Today‘s viewership, the program faces a significant challenge from its primary competitor, Sunrise. On both Wednesday and Thursday of Steinfort’s guest week, Sunrise consistently attracted over one million national viewers, maintaining a substantial lead in the competitive breakfast television landscape. The network’s strategy of rotating presenters and testing different combinations aims to bolster Today‘s position against its rival.

Conclusion: Steinfort Strengthens His Case Amidst “Today” Show Uncertainty

Tom Steinfort’s recent guest appearance on the Today show has demonstrably strengthened his candidacy for the permanent co-host role. The positive viewer feedback, coupled with an uptick in national ratings, signals a promising development for the veteran journalist and the program. As Nine continues its comprehensive search, evaluating various on-air partnerships, Steinfort’s performance provides a strong benchmark. However, the ongoing ratings battle with Sunrise underscores the critical importance of finding the right co-host to lead Today into future success.