Karl Stefanovic has pulled out of his upcoming ARN radio appearance on Friday, as the broadcaster reevaluates its association with the "Today" host amid controversy surrounding a recent podcast interview. Stefanovic will not appear on "The Long Weekend with Karl & Eddie" with co-host Eddie McGuire.
Sources close to the situation indicated that Stefanovic made the decision himself, opting to step back after a period of intense scrutiny. He reportedly informed ARN that he did not want to go on air, with an insider suggesting he wanted time to reflect after the past 24 hours. ARN confirmed his absence but declined to comment further, and has not made any decisions regarding Stefanovic's future with the network.
This development comes amid reports that Stefanovic is set to resign from the Nine Network. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the decision for Stefanovic to leave Nine was made in part to help defuse a potential advertiser boycott. Stefanovic, who is currently on leave in London, was reportedly informed by the network that they wished to part ways, with an immediate departure expected.
Stefanovic, a prominent figure at Nine for approximately 25 years and a long-time host of "Today," has a contract that still has six months remaining, valued at over $1 million. Sources suggest he is seeking a full payout of the remainder of his contract, drawing parallels to previous departures from Nine. He is also reportedly aiming for an early release from his contract to explore other media opportunities.
The controversy stems from an interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson that Stefanovic published on his independent YouTube podcast, "The Karl Stefanovic Show." The interview, which discussed topics including Islam, immigration, and Australian politics, was removed from streaming platforms and the show's YouTube channel shortly after its release on Tuesday, following widespread backlash. Activist group Mad F**king Witches (MFW) had announced a campaign against Stefanovic, stating that the podcast's removal would not deter their efforts.
Nine had previously stated that "The Karl Stefanovic Show" was an independent production with no affiliation to the network, including in guest selection or editorial processes. However, a spokesperson confirmed that Nine was taking the matter seriously.
Pauline Hanson, a political figure, publicly supported Stefanovic, uploading the deleted interview to her own YouTube channel. Hanson criticized the Nine Network's actions, accusing them of attempting to sack Stefanovic over the interview and defending its content as a means to raise awareness about immigration and extremism issues.