Nine has announced two major appointments to its morning lineup, with accomplished sports journalist Danika Mason joining Today as Sports Presenter and award-winning journalist Alison Piotrowski stepping into the role of co-host on Weekend Today.

Danika Mason, a familiar face to Channel 9 audiences through 9News, The Sunday Footy Show, NRL on Nine and Wide World of Sports, will bring her broad sporting knowledge and on-the-ground experience to early mornings. She joins the Today team alongside Sarah Abo, Karl Stefanovic, Jayne Azzopardi and Tim Davies, delivering the latest sports news, breaking stories and exclusive interviews from Australia and around the world.

Nine’s Director of Morning Television, Steven Burling, said: “Danika has filled in many times on Today and has a fantastic rapport with the entire hosting team. We’re pleased to see her bringing a wealth of experience and passion for sports to our viewers.”

Danika Mason said: “I’m truly honoured and so excited to be joining Today. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid, waking up every morning to watch the show as I set my sights on a career in sports broadcasting.

“It’s also a full-circle moment for me at Nine because, just 10 years ago, my first-ever job at the network was producing sport for Today.

“I’m also very grateful that I’ll still be working with the Wide World of Sports crew on the footy every week throughout the NRL season.”

Since joining Nine in 2012, Mason has covered some of the country’s biggest sporting events, from sideline reporting at major NRL fixtures to covering State of Origin, Grand Finals and the Australian Open. Her strong industry connections and keen analysis have made her one of Australia’s most trusted sports journalists.

She will continue to be based at Nine’s Sydney headquarters, delivering live sports coverage each morning on Today from next week, while maintaining her commentary role on Nine’s live NRL coverage.

And award-winning journalist and former US Correspondent Alison Piotrowski has been appointed the new co-host of Weekend Today, joining Clint Stanaway, Lizzie Pearl and Dan Anstey on the desk.

With a career spanning major global events and hard-hitting investigations, Piotrowski brings another journalistic edge to Weekend mornings.

Steven Burling, said: “From reporting on A Current Affair to anchoring 9Network’s coverage during the recent US election campaign, Alison Piotrowski is one of the network’s most capable and experienced broadcasters. 

“As we’ve seen over the past six weeks on Weekend Today, Alison is a natural and warm host with tremendous energy. I’m looking forward to seeing her bring that energy to the team alongside Clint, Lizzie and Dan.”

Alison Piotrowski said: “After four years of crossing to the show from weird time zones across North America, it feels surreal to be waking up with Weekend Today back home in Australia. It’s an honour, and I can’t wait for the year ahead. As a foreign correspondent and a mum, I’m thankfully already used to early wake-ups and lots of black coffee.

“Clint is the ultimate all-rounder and one of the hardest-working guys in our industry. He’s spontaneous, witty, and a great journo—I look forward to juggling the crazy world of breakfast TV with him.”

As Channel 9’s former US Correspondent, Piotrowski covered some of the biggest international stories of recent years, from Donald Trump’s legal battles and historic indictments to the first criminal trial of a former US president. She was on the ground in Israel following the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks, in Mexico investigating the tragic deaths of Australian surfers Callum and Jake Robinson, and reported live from the steps of the US Supreme Court as the Roe v. Wade abortion ruling was overturned.

Her reporting has taken her across war zones, courtrooms and disaster-stricken regions, always delivering the facts with clarity and depth. Before her time in the US she was a key part of A Current Affair, breaking major investigations and exposing high-profile fraudsters.

For further information, please contact:
Alex Dyer
alex.dyer@nine.com.au
Today Publicist, 9Network

Friday, February 28, 2025