Abo's Exit: Armytage vs. Adams for Today Show Co-Host?

Nine's Today show is anticipating a co-host change as Sarah Abo prepares to take maternity leave later in 2026. The 40-year-old presenter announced her pregnancy live on air recently. Two prominent figures are emerging as the top contenders to fill the vacancy: former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage and 60 Minutes reporter Amelia Adams.

Sources indicate a division in preference, with Today host Karl Stefanovic reportedly favoring Amelia Adams. Insiders suggest that Adams was previously considered for the co-host position that Abo eventually secured in 2022. However, other reports suggest that Nine management's primary choice is Samantha Armytage, who joined Channel Nine in 2024 to anchor The Golden Bachelor.

Nine is said to be hopeful that Samantha Armytage can replicate the 'Armytage effect.' This phenomenon refers to the significant ratings increase Sunrise experienced after her return in 2013. For over a decade, Today has struggled to compete with Seven's Sunrise in the breakfast television ratings. Armytage departed Sunrise in 2021, subsequently hosting shows like Farmer Wants A Wife and the upcoming Golden Bachelor.

Amelia Adams, with over 16 years at Nine, has prior experience on Today as a newsreader and substitute host. Her distinguished career includes multiple Kennedy Awards and a Walkley nomination for her reporting on the January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol, as well as coverage of the 2020 US election and significant events in Ukraine and Iraq.

The potential shake-up may also be influenced by Sarah Abo's recent reported requests for a pay increase. Abo joined Today in 2023, taking over from Allison Langdon, who then moved to A Current Affair. Armytage made a guest return to Today in December 2025, co-hosting with Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli during the hosts' Christmas break.