Channel Nine is ‘furious’ at Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac for live TV ambush

Channel Nine is ‘furious’ after Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac broke protocol by ‘ambushing’ Today’s live broadcast from Brisbane Airport

A ‘car crash’ TV segment that aired simultaneously on Today and Sunrise on Thursday has reportedly inflamed tensions between the rival breakfast shows. 

Seven’s Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac apparently ruffled feathers at Channel Nine when he playfully interrupted Today presenter Aislin Kriukelis’ live cross.

According to TV Blackbox, industry sources claim Nine is ‘furious’ with Sam’s behaviour and lack of reporting etiquette. 

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Channel Nine are reportedly ‘furious’ after Seven’s Sunrise weatherman Sam Mac (right) broke protocol by ‘ambushing’ Today’s rival broadcast at Brisbane Airport on Thursday

Sam and Aislin were both broadcasting live from Brisbane Airport, interviewing domestic travellers arriving in Queensland for the first time since the state’s borders were reopened amid the coronavirus lockdown.

The mystery source claimed Nine believe Sam didn’t follow standard protocols, and should have shown more respect towards Aislin. 

TV Blackbox also said insiders at Seven were bemused by the claims, and insisted there was no malice from Mac as he was simply showing the humour and antics that he displays everyday on Sunrise.

Hello there! Sunrise weatherman Sam (left) got friendly with Today's Aislin (right) as the rival breakfast shows crashed each other's live broadcasts from Brisbane Airport on Tuesday. Both shows were reporting on Queensland's border reopening

Hello there! Sunrise weatherman Sam (left) got friendly with Today’s Aislin (right) as the rival breakfast shows crashed each other’s live broadcasts from Brisbane Airport on Tuesday. Both shows were reporting on Queensland’s border reopening

Stealing her spotlight! According to TV Blackbox , industry sources claim Nine is 'furious' with Sam's behaviour and lack of reporting etiquette

Stealing her spotlight! According to TV Blackbox , industry sources claim Nine is ‘furious’ with Sam’s behaviour and lack of reporting etiquette

Sam later took to Instagram and Twitter to clarify the situation himself, joking: ‘I was only in QLD 7 hours but it was long enough for me to be crowned the face of car crash TV.’   

‘Thanks to the lovely [Aislin Kriukelis] who was a great sport in a chaotic morning,’ he added, with a separate photo on his Instagram story confirming they ‘made up’ over gifted chocolate.

Poking fun of Sunrise’s rivalry with Today further, Sam shared a video wearing a face mask on the flight home, writing: ‘incognito to avoid being attacked by Today Show producers.’ 

'(M) accidents do happen': Sam later took to Instagram and Twitter to clarify the situation himself, and praised Aislin for being 'a great sport' during the 'chaotic morning'

‘(M) accidents do happen’: Sam later took to Instagram and Twitter to clarify the situation himself, and praised Aislin for being ‘a great sport’ during the ‘chaotic morning’

All in good fun: A separate photo on Sam's Instagram story confirmed the rival stars had 'made up' over gifted chocolate

All in good fun: A separate photo on Sam’s Instagram story confirmed the rival stars had ‘made up’ over gifted chocolate

Watch out! Poking fun of Sunrise's rivalry with Today further, Sam joked he was going 'incognito' in a face mask 'to avoid being attacked by Today Show producers'

Watch out! Poking fun of Sunrise’s rivalry with Today further, Sam joked he was going ‘incognito’ in a face mask ‘to avoid being attacked by Today Show producers’

When approached for comment from Daily Mail Australia, a Nine spokesperson said: ‘Aislin did a fantastic job covering a big story for Today viewers.’

Daily Mail Australia has also contacted Seven for comment.    

The breakfast TV ratings war between Channel Seven’s Sunrise and the Nine Network’s Today show has been raging for years.

Carnage: It was a scramble as the major networks, including Seven, Nine and the ABC, tried to interview domestic travellers after the Queensland border reopened

Carnage: It was a scramble as the major networks, including Seven, Nine and the ABC, tried to interview domestic travellers after the Queensland border reopened

In a scene reminiscent of a Hollywood comedy, Sam playfully swooped into Aislin’s shots and ambushed her interviews with travellers during Tuesday’s segment.

At one stage, the 38-year-old even attempted to hijack the blonde’s interview with a young female passenger by grabbing Aislin’s microphone and yelling: ‘Welcome back to the Today show!’

The rival hosts later took a few good-natured jabs at each other during an on-air exchange.

‘Sorry, I didn’t get your name before. I actually didn’t mean to get in your shot,’ Sam said with a devilish smile.

Taking the situation in good humour, Aislin giggled before telling Sam: ‘Welcome to Queensland. Let the games begin.’

'I love games!' The rival hosts later took a few good-natured jabs at each other during an on-air exchange for Sunrise

‘I love games!’ The rival hosts later took a few good-natured jabs at each other during an on-air exchange for Sunrise