Channel Nine is yet to appoint a new CEO following the shock resignation of Hugh Marks earlier this month.
And rumours are swirling that Today show anchor Karl Stefanovic is among several candidates being considered for the top job.
If claims made by New Idea this week are to be believed, the 46-year-old TV presenter is having ‘secret talks with Nine’ about possibly replacing Mr Marks.
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Far-fetched: Channel Nine is staying silent on rumours Today host Karl Stefanovic is ‘in secret talks’ to be the network’s new CEO after Hugh Marks’ shock resignation earlier this month
Betting agency Sportsbet originally tipped Stefanovic as a very unlikely candidate to replace Marks with long odds of $45.
However, an insider also claimed to Woman’s Day that some of Nine’s highest paid stars, including Stefanovic, could face pay cuts or axing.
‘Everyone is expecting to see a huge shake-up internally that will see salaries decrease, and expectations and workloads increase,’ the source said.
Bold claims: According to New Idea on Monday, Stefanovic is believed to be having ‘secret talks with Nine’ as a candidate tipped to replace Marks
The alleged Nine insider claimed Marks protects the network’s veteran stars and reporters, but they could now be in the firing line.
Some of the stars at risk, according to the source, are The Block’s Scotty Cam, 57, Liz Hayes, 64, Richard Wilkins, 66, and Georgie Gardner, 50.
However, it’s believed the likes of veteran A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw, 60, newsreader Peter Overton, 54, Today entertainment reporter Brooke Boney, 33, Sophie Monk, 40, and Hamish Blake, 38, are safe at the network.
Channel Nine declined to comment when approached by Daily Mail Australia in relation to this story.
‘Everyone is expecting to see a huge shake-up internally that will see salaries decrease’: Some of the stars at risk of axing or reduced salaries, according to the source, are The Block’s Scotty Cam, 57, (pictured) Liz Hayes, 64, Richard Wilkins, 66, and Georgie Gardner, 50
Not to worry: it’s believed the likes of veteran A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw, 60, newsreader Peter Overton, 54, Today entertainment reporter Brooke Boney, 33, Sophie Monk, 40, (pictured) and Hamish Blake, 38, are safe at the network
Marks quit earlier this month after his own newspaper revealed his romance with an ex-employee.
The businessman told workers he was leaving the company after five years in the top job through an email on Saturday, November 14.
It comes after the Sydney Morning Herald published an article claiming he was in a relationship with Nine’s former managing director of commercial Alexi Baker.
In his resignation email, Mr Marks did not outline why he was quitting the media organisation, which owns Channel Nine and former Fairfax Newspapers the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
Stepping down: Hugh Marks (pictured) quit as Nine’s CEO earlier this month after his own newspaper revealed his romance with an ex-employee