Sylvia Jeffreys and Tom Steinfort have been named the new hosts of Nine’s Today programme for 2027, following Sarah Abo’s decision to leave the breakfast show.
The appointment was announced during a news update, with newsreader Jayne Azzopardi saying: “We can announce that Sylvia Jeffreys and Tom Steinfort have been named the new hosts of Today in 2027. With a collective four decades of experience, their appointments mark a new era for the program.”
Jeffreys said the announcement was “very exciting as a cat’s out of the bag”, while acknowledging the mixed feelings surrounding Abo’s departure.
“I know that Tom and I are going to work really, really hard to carry on the amazing work of Sarah, of Karl [Stefanovic], of the whole team, everything they’ve been doing for years for you, our viewers,” she said.
Steinfort said he was “pumped” about taking on the role alongside Jeffreys and described Today as “such an iconic show”.
Sarah Abo farewelled by Today team
Abo, who has been on maternity leave since July, was farewelled on air before the new hosting line-up was revealed. Jeffreys said she would remain “such a much loved part of this Today family”.
The programme also broadcast a montage of Abo’s time on the show, including interviews with the prime minister, former Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer and a number of celebrities.
In a statement, Abo thanked viewers for allowing her into their homes and said her time at Nine, including work with 60 Minutes, had involved chasing stories, travelling and reporting from around the world.
“Becoming a mum has heralded a new chapter and sharing that with our audience has been truly special,” she said. “As many of you know, this has been a significant journey for my family and will continue to be my greatest achievement.”
Abo also thanked the Today crew, producers and fellow hosts, saying the early starts were easier when the team felt like family. In a video message, she said she had “loved every minute” of her time on the programme and that more about her future would be announced “in due course”.
Her next move has been the subject of reports, with New Idea claiming she is due to join rival network Seven as a newsreader in Melbourne. The report has not been confirmed in the material available.
The Today programme has faced further changes this year following the departure of long-serving host Karl Stefanovic. Weather presenter Tim Davies has also announced his resignation, with his final broadcast due on Friday.
Nine’s executive director of news and current affairs, Fiona Dear, paid tribute to Abo’s contribution, saying she had brought “warmth, energy and first-class journalism” to the programme and had shown “sharp journalistic instincts” while presenting three-and-a-half hours of live television each day.
