Is the sun setting on Sam and Kochie? Magazine claims Sunrise co-host David Koch 'wants Armytage replaced with Edwina Bartholomew' as ratings battle with Today Show's Karl and Lisa heats up
They've been the leading duo on Australian breakfast TV since 2013.
But Woman's Day magazine claims Sunrise hosts David Koch and Sam Armytage are feeling the pressure of Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson's growing popularity on the Today show.
According to the magazine, after seeing ratings fall in 2016, Koch reportedly approached Seven executives and asked them to consider replacing Sam with Edwina Bartholomew.
Scroll down for video
Sunset? Sunrise co-hosts Sam Armytage (left) and David Koch (right) may be feeling the affects of a close ratings race with Channel Nine's Today Show
'There's a whisper that Kochie (Koch) has gone to the top dogs and told them they need to really consider Sunrise's Monday to Friday line-up,' an insider claimed, according to Woman's Day.
'Today beat Sunrise in all of Australia's major cities in 2016, and he's worried they're losing their handle on viewers.'
The magazine alleges that a source also claimed that Koch has struggled to bond with Sam like he did previous co-host Melissa Doyle, however he has since denied the claims.
Woman's Day claims that it is Bartholomew, 33, who is the name being thrown around as a possible replacement.
The bubbly entertainment and weather reporter has struck a chord among viewers since arriving on the scene, with network bosses keen to see her rise up the ranks.
Stepping up? According to Woman's Day, Koch has reportedly asked Channel Seven executives to consider replacing Sam with Edwina Bartholomew (pictured)
Losing out: The magazine claims Sam has struggled to bond with Koch like he did previous co-host Mel Doyle
According to Woman's Day, 'close friends' of Bartholomew 'claim' that despite her having spent years working towards prominent role such as Sunrise host, she's not keen to steal it from Sam.
However, the magazine alleges Bartholomew isn't the only name being touted to take the co-host job, with longtime news reader Natalie Barr also reportedly eyeing it off.
'Nat is itching to replace Sam, and she'd love to be the one to take the show back to its glory days - but there are whispers that the execs think she's getting a bit stale,' the Channel Seven insider apparently told the publication.
On Monday, Koch slammed the Woman's Day report, tweeting: '@WomansDayAus Total fabrication. Fake News at its worst. Can I be any clearer. 13 years as Australia's #1 at brekky...love working with team.'
Top dogs: Sunrise has long been the leading breakfast TV show in the country, however has seen a strong challenge from Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson on Today
NOT TRUE: On Monday, Koch slammed the claims in Woman's Day, tweeting: '@WomansDayAus Total fabrication. Fake News at its worst. Can I be any clearer. 13 years as Australia's #1 at brekky...love working with team'
Meanwhile, despite the rumours and speculation, the one person seemingly nonplussed about the issue is Armytage.
The 40-year-old was recently pictured jetting off for a weekend away at an exclusive Queensland retreat.
With a few weeks remaining until the first ratings period of the year, Armytage took time out at the Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat to recharge her batteries ahead of what will know doubt be a busy year for Sunrise.
Read more: This week's issue of Woman's Day (pictured) is on shelves now
Most watched News videos
- Kitesurfer unaware of great white shark swimming below
- Gloria Williams waves extradition for kidnapping Kamiyah Mobley
- Enraged kick-boxer strikes husband's mistress NINE times
- Disgusting moment cyst puss eruption covers cell phone
- Mariah Carey sings during billionaire's granddaughter wedding
- NYPD searching for six teens who beat up a woman in Brooklyn
- 2017's luckiest man: Pedro Grendene Bartelle win's $3.5m
- Bike crashes into back of car after car drivers reckless antics
- Sheep attack shepherd after being frightened by a car in Germany
- Fox ripped apart by pack of hungry dogs during sickening hunt
- Huge dress rehearsal for Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony
- Legal implications for Gloria Williams who kidnapped Kamiyah Mobley
- You're hired: Two soldiers do their best Donald Trump and...
- 'Liberal snowflake' Hollywood stars come under fire for...
- US Army soldier based at Fort Hood is found dead - making...
- Did she know? Cops says teen suspected she was kidnapped as...
- Reunited at last! Teen meets her biological parents for...
- Meghan meets Kate: Prince Harry 'has introduced his...
- Full-time royal Prince William will do LESS than his father:...
- Opera star Andrea Bocelli backs out of singing at Trump's...
- 'She's still my child': Heartbroken man who unknowingly...
- Would you spend your first date NAKED? Strangers strip off...
- 'I was in a bathrobe NAKED underneath and they pushed me...
- College student, 19, survives car crash that killed her best...