Aussies slam Channel Nine's coverage of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony - and target one of the network's biggest stars Karl Stefanovic as they lash out

Aussies haven't taken long to slam the Channel Nine coverage of the Paris Olympics, fuming at host Karl Stefanovic - if they were able to watch at all.

Thousands of Australians woke in the middle of the night to take in the opening of the Paris Games and had to wait hours for the Aussies to finally emerge because they are the 2032 host nation, with Olympic protocol dictating that they were the third-last nation to appear.

However, they were not impressed with Nine's treatment of the opening ceremony - and Stefanovic's commentary in particular.

They accused him of talking over important and entertaining parts of the ceremony with many taking to social media to call for him to be quiet.

'@Channel9 for the love of God, please tell that imbecile Karl Stefanovic to shut the hell up during the performances. Had planned to watch Channel 9’s Olympic coverage, but if this is an example of the quality of the coverage … I’ll be switching right off,' one posted.

'The @9NewsAUS coverage of the #Paris2024 opening ceremony is absolutely dreadful. @karlstefanovic is horrific and has zero insight to offer. Terrible casting for this moment. The ceremony itself is pretty dull. Just a few boats floating down the river,' added another.

Yet another fumed, 'Why the f*** would you have Karl Stefanovic as a host for the Opening Ceremony? Todd Woodbridge by himself would have been perfect.'

The opening ceremony was also dulled by the miserable weather and rain that took the shine off the athletes' arrival.

But viewers didn't appreciate being reminded of that constantly through the broadcast.

'Can someone shut up Karl Stefanovic? It's raining, we get it. You're a pathetic broadcaster @Channel9,' one viewer posted.

'Karl Stefanovic STFU about the weather. We get it, it's raining,' said another.'

And some viewers complained about not being able to tune in at all.

'So all channel 9 stations have conveniently vanished from my TV and refuse to scan either automatically or manually just in time for the Olympics. Guess I’ll be finding any other way to watch than the useless Channel 9,' raged one disappointed Aussie.

And those who watched questioned the lack of subtitles for the long speeches in French from dignitaries. 

'Does Channel 9 have subtitles so I can read what he is saying?' one asked.

'What is wrong with your coverage of the opening ceremony in Paris....out of focus. It is like a 1970s coverage,' posted another.

Stefanovic was not the only presenter to cop heat from Aussie viewers, with some questioning the talent chosen for Paris.

'Why in the hell is Matthew Pavlich doing the olympics?? Great to see channel 9 using experts on the coverage,' one posted.

While Channel 9 attracted plenty of criticism, the national broadcaster ABC received praise - especially for bringing beloved presenter Bruce McAvaney out of retirement to cover the 2024 Games.

'Five minutes into the Olympic Games opening ceremony on Channel 9 and you just appreciate the fact that Bruce McAvaney is certainly irreplaceable,' one viewer said.

'Wish Bruce McAvaney was doing it [on Channel Nine] - now that’s class,' posted another.