An Australian television presenter has been praised for delivering an honest apology in the wake of a bizarre live broadcast at the Winter Olympics during which she was heard slurring her words. 

Channel Nine presenter Danika Mason admitted on Thursday that she ‘had a drink’ prior to going live on-air and added that she had ‘misjudged the situation’. 

Producers of the Australian breakfast programme Today had cut to Mason standing outside in a snowstorm in Livigno on Wednesday morning, where she delivered an update on how Aussie athletes had fared overnight at the Winter Games.

Mason began to ramble about the price of coffee in Italy before bizarrely going on to make a comment about iguanas.

‘The price of coffee over here is actually fine…’ she said during the live segment.

‘It’s actually the price of coffee in the US we have to get used to… I’m not sure about the iguanas? Where are we going with that one? Anyway, let’s get into today’s sport because there’s plenty happening back home…’

Aussie presenter Danika Mason (pictured) has been praised after she delivered an honest apology for her bizarre live broadcast at the Winter Olympics in which she appeared to slur her words

Mason, who is regularly seen on Nine’s NRL coverage, also made snow angels during the segment

Mason then went on to speak about the Brisbane Broncos who have travelled to the UK to take on Super League champions Hull KR in the World Club Challenge match, which takes place on Thursday evening.

Mason slurred her words during the segment before going on to do a snow angel in the powder behind her.

Today show hosts Karl Stefanovic and Jayne Azzopardi, who were sitting in the studio back in Australia, noted that Mason had stumbled over some of her sentences and claimed that the chilly conditions in Livigno had made it difficult to speak.

‘There is such a cold wind, you can’t actually move your lips,’ Stefanovic claimed.

Mason has since been widely praised by other Australian television personalities, the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and social media users for delivering an open and honest apology.

On Thursday morning, Mason appeared on another live cross for the Today show. After talking through the day’s events, the Australian presenter took a moment to acknowledge Wednesday’s segment.

‘And guys, just before we do go, I just want to take a moment if that’s okay, just to apologise,’ she began.

‘I also wanted to say thank you to everyone who has reached out. I’m okay. Probably just a little bit embarrassed.

Mason has since explained that she ‘misjudged the situation’ adding that she was ‘genuinely sorry’ and ’embarrassed’

Members of the media have rallied around the Nine presenter following the broadcast, with Today show host Karl Stefanovic (left) stating after her apology: ‘You’re the best, Danika. Don’t worry about it. Let’s move on’

‘Look, I totally misjudged the situation. I shouldn’t have had a drink. And especially in these conditions, it’s cold. We’ve got altitude. And not having had dinner probably didn’t help as well.

‘But I want to take full responsibility. It’s not the standard that I set for myself.

‘So in saying that, I am genuinely sorry.’

Today show host Stefanovic, who had made a drunken appearance on the programme after the 2009 Logies, praised Mason for her admirable apology.

‘I don’t even know what you’re talking about,’ Stefanovic said.

‘You’re the best, Danika. Don’t worry about it. Let’s move on.’

Azzopardi added: ‘We know how hard you work, Danika!’ 

Many, including the Australian Prime Minister Albanese, have rallied to support Mason following her apology.

Mason, who is widely regarded as one of the best sports presenters on Nine, also received the support of many fans 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) is among those who have issued their support to Mason after she admitted to drinking before a live cross on the Today show this week 

Speaking on Nova 100’s Jase & Lauren Show on Thursday, the PM said: ‘I’m pro Danika! Good on her! 

‘She’s over in Italy and she would have been tired.

‘It’s the time difference – would have been having an impact.’

Australia have enjoyed their most successful Winter Games in Italy in the past two weeks, claiming three gold medals, two silver and one bronze. 

‘She’s celebrating!’ Jase added. Albanese replied: ‘Nothing to see here.’ 

Questions have since been raised over why Nine’s control room allowed Mason to go on air, with Nine insiders telling The Herald Sun that ‘producers could have done more to protect her.’

Former Studio 10 executive Rob McKnight told The Australian that Mason should be praised for owning the situation.  

‘Danika (and Nine) should be congratulated for being honest with viewers. How often have we complained of cover-ups and dishonesty when events like this take place,’ McKnight said.

Mason has entertained fans with her brilliant and sometimes slightly chaotic crossovers to the Today show at the Winter Games, notably taking viewers on a tour of a nightclub in Livigno last week

‘She has admitted what happened, apologised and should now be able to move on.

‘For the people who say she should be sacked, I believe that is an overreaction. She didn’t swear and she wasn’t offensive, so what is the problem? She is a real talent and it would be a shame for something as trivial as this to end her career.’

Viewers have also issued their support to Mason. 

‘Good for her she owned it and fronted up. A quality presenter and reporter,’ one fan said on Facebook.

‘Good on her for being an Aussie and having a drink,’ said another.

‘I love how many times Karl started the morning show hungover and still p***ed, it’s called being human.’

‘Why? She did a great job over there and they had some fun to celebrate our success. Only human and no harm done. Cheers,’ another user added.  

‘She’s the best. What a legend,’ one said. 

Mason is expected to travel to the US for the NRL’s opening round of fixtures in Las Vegas next week 

Mason has delivered insightful and entertaining coverage over the past fortnight. 

Last week, she took fans on a humorous and rather chaotic tour of a bar in Livigno where multiple athletes and coaches were celebrating winning medals.

‘This is where a lot of the Aussies are celebrating. You wouldn’t really read about it, but this is the nightclub,’ Mason said as she stepped into the venue.

Mason then handed her microphone to a Channel Nine cameraman, before she made her way over to a slide at the entrance of the venue and took a plunge down to the main bar.

‘No way! She should be in the luge,’ Stefanovic said, laughing as Mason was seen skidding down the slide. 

The presenter then took fans on a tour around the bar and interviewed patrons inside the nightspot. 

Mason was forced to pull the microphone away from one man who had dropped a couple of swear words during another funny segment. 

‘Oh, I’m not allowed to say that on TV? I’m sorry,’ he said. Mason chuckled. 

Mason was also seen dancing alongside a group of people, before pulling away from the crowd to ask: ‘How did I end up here? I’m supposed to be doing sport and this is where all the Aussies are. We’ve got people dancing on tables.’

Her segments sent Stefanovic and co-host Sarah Abo into fits of laughter. 

‘Well done, Danika. You’re an absolute trooper,’ Karl, 51, said.

The sports broadcaster, who grew up in Sydney’s North West, kick-started her broadcasting career as an intern in Nine’s newsroom. In 2012, Mason was hired as a logger for the London Olympics, before going on to be handed a permanent position on Nine Network’s sports outlets. 

Mason is usually seen working as a roaming reporter during Nine’s coverage of the Australian Open and also regularly delivers news segments from the sidelines at NRL matches. 

In October 2025, Mason announced that she was engaged to former NRL player Liam Knight. 

The footy player popped the question during a romantic getaway in Europe. 

Mason is expected to travel to the US next week as the NRL kick-starts its 2026 season in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium on February 28.