Karl Stefanovic to leave Nine after Tommy Robinson podcast interview
Granny has been negotiating terms for a long time Today host Karl Stefanovic will leave the network following his incendiary podcast interview with far-right British activist Tommy Robinson, potentially defusing a major advertiser boycott.
Nine made its decision following a series of crisis meetings at its headquarters in North Sydney on Wednesday evening.
The 51-year-old actor was in London when word came that the channel wanted to part ways after weeks of worsening tensions. It’s unclear whether the network’s highest-paid host will receive any exit payments.
The decision paves the way for a major shift in the Australian breakfast television landscape, but also risks drawing the ire of Stefanovic’s conservative supporters, including One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
Stefanovic’s disastrous interview with Robinson went live on Tuesday afternoon but was removed from YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram less than 12 hours later.
Today The host told Robinson that he admired her “tenacity” and “courage” in “trying to stand up for what you believe is right” in the lighthearted conversation that lasted almost an hour.
In a preview video of the episode, Stefanovic also put his arm around Robinson and called outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer an “idiot”.
The production infuriated senior Nine executives, who were caught off guard by Stefanovic’s choice of interview subject and stunned by the way the Nine presenter embraced him in the video. A series of executive meetings were held on Wednesday and mixed views were expressed on how best to deal with the crisis.
rookie The Karl Stefanovic Show It is independent of Nine. The broadcaster gave him the leave as part of a recent agreement to cut his salary package, reportedly worth more than $2 million annually.
But the podcast has caused Nine headaches since its launch in January; Stefanovic has continually recast himself as a culture warrior in an effort to build a loyal right-wing podcast audience.
Some staff, unhappy with the freedom Nine gave the former Gold Logie winner, began privately calling him “Karl Bogan”; this was a reference to polarizing US podcaster Joe Rogan.
In his interview with Robinson, Stefanovic did not question the agitator’s claims and at one point laughed and told him: “God I love you”.
Stefanovic made an abusive statement to ABC last month Media Monitoring The program explores the media’s sometimes intimate relationship with controversial neurosurgeon Charlie Teo. “Charlie Teo is a great Australian,” Stefanovic said. “Leave him alone.”
Nine executives believed that this and other recent behavior was an attempt by Stefanovic to dare to sever ties with the network and pay the remainder of his contract, which expires at the end of the year.
Nine resisted replacing the veteran host until Wednesday, when the fallout from the Robinson interview threatened to trigger a boycott by advertisers. Today.
Activist group Mad F—ing Witches was preparing to launch a damaging campaign targeting the show, tentatively titled #KancelKarl. The same group successfully put pressure on Nine over broadcaster Alan Jones and the Australian Radio Network over the future of former FM presenter Kyle Sandilands.
“We really need your help if you want Karl to leave Nine,” the organization wrote on social media platform X.
“It’s important we keep these fascists and far-right nutters off Australian broadcasts or anyone working in the media here, so our witchy powers are now more important than ever.”
In the hours before the decision to part ways with Stefanovic, Nine said it had nothing to do with the podcast, including guest selection.
“However, Granny is taking this matter seriously,” a spokesman said. Granny is the owner of this tag.
Stefanovic joined Today with then-co-host Tracy Grimshaw in 2005. He remained on the table until 2018, when he resigned due to poor ratings and the media’s intense focus on his personal life. He returned to the co-host in 2020.
Today regularly surpassed by Seven’s in the ratings sunrise Hosted by Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington.
Both Stefanovic and co-host Sarah Abo were nominated this week as finalists for the Ray Martin Award for most popular news or public affairs presenter at this year’s Logie Awards.
Considering that Abo will go on maternity leave shortly, Stefanovic’s departure means that two presenters will be sought for the program. Melbourne news anchor Tom Steinfort is filling in for Stefanovic this week, who is on leave to do podcast interviews in the UK.
Stefanovic did not explain why the Robinson episode was taken off the air and whether he authorized the decision. However, promotional videos of the episode remain on his personal X account.
Robinson is a former member of the fascist British National Party who co-founded the English Defense League, an anti-Islamic movement that has staged street demonstrations across Britain.
The agitator was twice forced to cancel speaking tours in Australia after his visa was refused. In 2019, supporters paid up to $995 to see him with Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes and former editor Milo Yiannopoulos. News from Breitbart – in five cities.
Robinson had convictions for assault, mortgage fraud, using a false passport and contempt of court when he was jailed in October 2024 after ignoring a court order not to repeat lies about a Syrian refugee who had successfully sued him for libel.
He has been condemned by several British prime ministers, including Boris Johnson, who called him a “far-right thug” who “does not represent the values of this country”.
On Wednesday, Robinson republished a comment he made about X, calling on Stefanovic to “man up” and republish the deleted interview.
Earlier on Wednesday, Hanson accused Nine of plotting to fire “my good friend” and posted the entire podcast, which was later deleted, on his YouTube channel.
Former Nationals deputy prime minister turned One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce is also in London and has met with Stefanovic in recent days.
Media company ARN, which signed Stefanovic to a weekly show with Eddie McGuire on the Gold radio network, also moved away from the podcast on Wednesday.
A spokesman said: “Karl’s involvement with ARN is limited to certain radio interactions. His external media activities, including his podcast, are conducted personally and are entirely separate from the network over which we have no control.”
“They do not represent the views, editorial standards or programming of ARN.”
Stefanovic was contacted for comment.
Bevan Shields is a senior writer and former editor of The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
Kishor Napier-Raman is senior business writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. He previously worked as a CBD columnist and reporter in the federal parliament press gallery.Connect with: X or email.
Rob Harris is a national correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in Canberra. He is a former European correspondent.Connect via email.
