INSIDE MEDIA: Insiders reveal why Alex Cullen had to be sacked from the TODAY show plus the hottest shows of 2025

In our column that takes you inside the world of media: The fallout for Nine after it sacked Alex Cullen over THAT $50,000 dollar prize. | A dangerous time for the media… and executives aren’t helping their case. | AND the most anticipated TV shows of 2025 have been revealed.

WATCH: A video version of this column is available in the player above with clips mentioned in the article

VIEWERS DIVIDED OVER CULLEN SACKING

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The inevitable axe has fallen on TODAY show host Alex Cullen after he accepted a $50,000 cash prize from Melbourne billionaire Adrian Portelli – an issue I spoke at length about in the previous edition of INSIDE MEDIA.

Ultimately, Nine has made the right decision in sacking the popular presenter, despite the whole saga being a no-win situation for the network.

The announcement was made on the TODAY show on Friday morning at 6.40am by hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo (you can watch the video in the player above).

Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo delivering the news of Alex Cullen leaving the TODAY show Credit: Nine

KARL: Well, as most of you are aware our colleague Alex Cullen has not been on air with us this past week. There has been widespread reports on the circumstances surrounding this. What I can tell say is that last night Alex and Nine agrees that he would finish with the network.

SARAH: Alex has, of course, been part of this team, for this family, for five years now, he’s always ready with a smile and a laugh and, without hesitation, speaking for all of us here we can say that we are going to miss him terribly.

KARL: That’s for sure. Alex is a terrific fella – what you see is what you get – and has been a great mate to all over these years and we wish Alex, his wife Bonnie, and his beautiful kids all the very best for the future.

On Sunday Alex took to Instagram to make his first statement since the crisis started, posting:

Alex Cullen shares a message with fans on Instagram Credit: INSTAGRAM

A quick note from me. This has been a very difficult time and I just want to say thank you to all the wonderful people who reached out. It means the world to me and my young family. I will miss my colleagues at Today and wish them the best. Thank you again and I look forward to whatever comes next. 🙏❤️

It’s a sad end for one of the truly nice guys of the industry, but Nine has made the right decision. At the end of the day he did break the the MEAA Journalist Code Of Ethics which states: Do not improperly use a journalistic position for personal gain.

Portelli tried to save the day by posting a screenshot of the money being donated to two charities in the name of Cullen, but it was too little too late, despite this claim by the man known as ‘Lambo Guy’:

The bank transfer Adrian Portelli made on behalf of Alex Cullen Credit: INSTAGRAM

“I’ve kept pretty quiet about what unfolded with Alex, but even before he’d heard from Ch9, we had a conversation where he expressed his desire to donate the money. That speaks volumes about his character.

“Alex, you’re an absolute gentleman. If Ch9 let you go (though I really hope they don’t!), I’d be more than happy to collaborate with you on something. True class, mate!”

As I posted on X in response: “Sorry, I’m not buying this. If this was the case then the original bank transfer wouldn’t have gone to Alex. And BTW I like Alex and am not eager for him to lose his job.”

There’s already been backlash to his sacking, with news headlines like this declaring:

Enraged Channel Nine viewers vow to boycott the Today show as the network axe Alex Cullen after $50,000 Adrian Portelli gift scandal

Many are asking why Karl and Sarah weren’t punished over their involvement in the on-air segment. The answer to that is simple: THEY DIDN’T ACCEPT ANY CASH FOR THE COMMENTS.

Now everyone is wondering who his replacement will be. My money is on Roz Kelly.

Watch this space.

US MEDIA PLAYING A DANGEROUS GAME

There’s a dangerous movement happening in the US with the media capitulating to newly elected President Trump, leaving questions over whether he and his Government will be held to account by the fourth estate.

President Donald Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One en route to Florida at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Credit: Mark Schiefelbein/AP

What is happening should be of concern to everyone, no matter what side of the political spectrum you sit on.

We’ve seen the tech giants blatantly bend the knee at Trump’s inauguration, but the big free to air networks in the US are using money to curry favour with the leader of the free world.

Guests including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool) Credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

ABC America settled a lawsuit with Trump to the tune of US$15 million – and a note of regret – late last year, soon after the election.

Trump was suing the network over anchor George Stephanopoulos’ inaccurate on-air assertion that the president-elect had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll.

The decision by ABC to settle surprised many as it was believed the broadcasting giant had a solid defence. The mistake by Stephanopoulos was a legal technicality, which he apologised for.

ABC seemed to believe it was in its best interests not to go to war with the incoming President and quickly settled.

Another broadcaster in the US is also now looking at settling with Trump in another case, rather than fighting in court.

CBS news came under fire over the editing of an interview with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris on 60 Minutes.

In a preview clip of the interview Harris gave a different answer to a question by reporter Bill Whitaker than what aired within the program.

Below is a transcript of each clip, but you can watch them in the player above.

FACE THE NATION PREVIEW CLIP:

BILL WHITAKER: But it seems that Prime Minister Netanyahu is not listening.

KAMALA HARRIS: Well Bill, the work that we have done has resulted in a number of movements in that region by Israel that were very much prompted by, or a result of, many things, including our advocacy for what needs to happen in the region.

60 MINUTES FINAL EDIT

BILL WHITAKER: But it seems that Prime Minister Netanyahu is not listening.

KAMALA HARRIS: We are not going to stop pursuing what is necessary for the United States to be clear about where we stand on the need for this war to end.

To change the answer to a question is bizarre and Trump has every right to accuse CBS of deceitful editing to make Harris look good in the edit.

CBS denied the claim in a statement, saying:

60 Minutes gave an excerpt of our interview to Face the Nation that used a longer section of her answer than that on 60 Minutes. Same question. Same answer. But a different portion of the response. When we edit any interview, whether a politician, an athlete, or movie star, we strive to be clear, accurate and on point. The portion of her answer on 60 Minutes was more succinct, which allows time for other subjects in a wide ranging 21-minute-long segment.

Trump has every right to sue and it could be argued he has a case here, but of concern are reports CBS is looking to settle the US$10B lawsuit ahead of parent company Paramount Global’s merger with Skydance Media.

When the media bends the knee to those in charge, the people – and truth - are the ultimate losers.

AUSTRALIA’S MOST ANTICIPATED SHOW OF 2025

An interesting bit of research popped up in my inbox today from online retailer Kogan.

They’ve provided a list of the most anticipated shows of 2025 average monthly search volume.

Despite heavy promotion and the fact it’s launching tonight, Married At First Sight came in a number two, behind The Block.

Search terms analysed included “watch,” “when,” “new season,” “release date,” “channel” and “Australia”.

It’s worth noting this survey doesn’t actually reflect ratings as some shows that are high on the list failed to attract significant audiences last year.

Seven will be happy that Farmer Wants a Wife did very well, despite Sam Armytage leaving.

With official ratings starting on 9 February, it’s going to be a very interesting year in the world of television.

I hope you all had a great Australia Day weekend.

Rob McKnight is a television producer and the co-owner of TV Blackbox.

INSIDE MEDIA is published every Monday and Thursday on the 7NEWS website.