Karl Stefanovic has pulled out of his upcoming ARN radio appearance on Friday as the broadcaster quietly reassesses its future association with the Today host following the fallout from his controversial political podcast.
ARN confirmed to Daily Mail that Stefanovic will not appear on The Long Weekend with Karl & Eddie this Friday, alongside co-host Eddie McGuire, in the wake of his interview with British far-right political figure Tommy Robinson.
Industry sources stressed the decision not to appear on radio was made by Stefanovic himself – not the network – after the Nine Network personality reportedly resigned from his TV home of 25 years on Thursday.
The source said Stefanovic wanted to take a step back after 24 hours of intense scrutiny – but also noted that ARN was still keeping all options on the table in handling the controversy.
‘Karl has told them he doesn’t want to come on air,’ the insider told the Daily Mail on Thursday.
‘I think he just wants to take some time after the last 24 hours. But I wouldn’t use that as the assumption that something’s going to happen.
Karl Stefanovic has pulled out of his upcoming ARN radio appearance on Friday as the broadcaster quietly reassesses its future association with the Today host following the fallout over his controversial political podcast
‘The reality is everyone wants to know what ARN is going to do next.’
The insider said no decision has been made about Stefanovic’s future with the network.
‘It’s (under) consideration and no decisions have been made,’ the source said.
‘I think the important thing to remember from an ARN perspective is they understand better than anyone the impact of boycotting and that kind of stuff following the Karl controversy.
‘But equally, he’s only on air once a week for an hour, so he’s not main game like he is for Channel Nine… Everything is being considered.’
In his interview with Robinson, Stefanovic praised the anti-Islam advocate for his ‘tenacity’ and ‘courage’. Robinson has criminal convictions for assault, mortgage fraud, using a false passport and contempt of court.
ARN confirmed to Daily Mail that Stefanovic will not appear on Friday’s show, but would not comment on the matter further
Industry sources stressed the decision was made by the television star himself, not the network
After criticism, Stefanovic pulled the interview from his YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcast pages.
The interview prompted the feminist Mad F***ing Witches group to threaten to campaign against advertisers who support the Today Show.
The grassroots organisation is known for launching advertising boycotts against media figures, having previously targeted Kyle Sandilands.
‘Nine should be well aware: them taking Karl’s podcast down won’t stop us. In fact, it makes us even angrier they seem to think we’re so easily fooled and silenced,’ the organisation wrote on X.
On Wednesday evening, Nine’s own newspaper, The Sydney Morning Herald, confirmed Stefanovic was departing the network, indicating the decision was made in part to ‘defuse a major advertiser boycott.’
Stefanovic, who is currently on two weeks’ leave in London, was told the network ‘wanted to part ways’. He is expected to depart immediately.
The Today show star uploaded the controversial chat with the British far-right activist to his YouTube channel podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, on Tuesday, only to delete it a short time later after facing widespread backlash. (Pictured: Tommy Robinson)
Stefanovic – who has been branded ‘Joe Bogan’ thanks to his attempts at replicating the success of Joe Rogan’s podcast – sparked controversy this week when he published an interview with divisive far-right commentator Robinson
On Wednesday evening, The Sydney Morning Herald confirmed Stefanovic’s departure from Nine, indicating the decision was made in part to ‘defuse a major advertiser boycott’
The TV star, who has been a Nine stalwart for some 25 years, has six months and over $1million left to be paid on his 12-month contract.
A source told the Daily Mail on Wednesday evening that Stefanovic was indeed ‘gone’.
In a statement to Daily Mail prior to Stefanovic’s resignation, a Nine spokesperson said his podcast was produced independently, and while it had no affiliation with the TV network, they were treating the matter seriously.
‘The Karl Stefanovic Show is a completely independent production,’ a spokesperson told Daily Mail.
‘Nine has no involvement, including in the guest selection and other editorial processes.
‘However, Nine is taking this matter seriously.’
