Television host Karl Stefanovic has reportedly resigned from the Nine Network after 25 years, a move that comes after an expletive-laden response to an inquiry from the ABC's Media Watch and the subsequent deletion of a podcast interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Stefanovic's departure was confirmed by The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday, with reports indicating the decision was made in part to "defuse a major advertiser boycott." Stefanovic, who is currently on leave in London, was informed by the network that they "wanted to part ways," and his exit is expected to be immediate.
Podcast Controversies
Signs that Stefanovic may have been considering a move away from traditional network broadcasting were evident in his response to Media Watch last month. The ABC program had inquired about an interview Stefanovic conducted on his podcast, "The Karl Stefanovic Show," with neurosurgeon Charlie Teo. Teo, who has faced findings of unsatisfactory professional conduct and is effectively banned from performing high-risk surgeries in Australia, had appeared on Stefanovic's podcast in March. Media Watch questioned why Stefanovic, a known supporter of Teo, had only briefly addressed the adverse findings during the interview.
Stefanovic's manager, Sharon Finnigan, responded to Media Watch researcher Kathleen Calderwood via email on May 22, copying in Media Watch host Linton Besser. Finnigan conveyed Stefanovic's message: "Finally you're responding to alternate independent broadcasters. We've finally arrived." Stefanovic's direct message was, "Charlie Teo is a great f[expletive]ing Australian. Leave him the f[expletive] alone."
This response contrasts with Stefanovic's past reactions to criticism of Teo from within Nine. In October 2022, after The Sydney Morning Herald and Nine's 60 Minutes program extensively reported on Teo's alleged high fees for surgeries other physicians would not consider, Stefanovic defended his friend publicly. He expressed his adoration for Teo and stated he was sorry for the ongoing controversy, adding, "The pile-on with Charlie is very difficult to watch given how much I know he is committed to the profession and how much great work he does and how many lives he's saved." He further commented that it would be a "travesty" to see Teo removed from the profession. At the time, Stefanovic's comments offended staff within Nine's television and newspaper divisions, leading him to write an apology note to them. It appears he has since moved past that point of apology.
More recently, Stefanovic uploaded an interview with Tommy Robinson to his YouTube podcast on Tuesday. The interview covered topics such as Islam, immigration, and Australian politics. However, the video was deleted hours later following widespread backlash.
Contractual Details
Stefanovic has spent a quarter of a century at Nine. He has six months remaining on his contract, with more than $1 million yet to be paid. A source told the Daily Mail on Wednesday evening that Stefanovic was indeed "gone." Senior Nine executives were reportedly engaged in "eleventh hour closed-door meetings" in Sydney on Wednesday evening to finalize the terms of his exit.
Prior to his reported departure, a Nine spokesperson stated that Stefanovic's podcast was an independent production with no affiliation to the network. "Nine has no involvement, including in the guest selection and other editorial processes," the spokesperson said. "However, Nine is taking this matter seriously."