How KIIS cashed in on Kyle & Jackie O’s ‘explosive fights’
Kyle Sandilands admitted repeatedly berating co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson on and off air, but told the Federal Court that the KIIS network encouraged him by promoting clips of the pair’s outbursts with headlines telling listeners to hear “EXPLOSIVE mid-air fight”.
Court documents seen by this imprint reveal Sandilands admitted making harsh remarks towards Henderson on multiple occasions, as ARN claims, but argued none of this amounted to a breach of contract as KIIS later used the material to make money.
Sandilands and Henderson’s professional relationship collapsed in February this year after Sandilands He scolded Henderson during the live broadcast To check out the zodiac signs, check out the February 20 edition of “The Kyle and Jackie O show.”
KIIS owner ARN subsequently terminated their contracts, and both broadcasters separately sued the network for damages totaling more than $160 million. The defense network argued that Sandilands verbally attacked Henderson live on several occasions, which amounted to serious misconduct. In a court filing filed Friday, Sandilands’ attorneys acknowledged many of these incidents but did not acknowledge that they constituted bullying or harassment.
But Sandilands’ lawyers went further and documented other incidents between Sandilands and Henderson. Among the revelations is an off-air argument the pair had in early 2025, in which Sandilands said Henderson was “in a difficult situation” that morning. “It’s like you went away with the fairies,” Sandilands said.
“We were laughing because you were with the fairies and weren’t paying attention.”
When Henderson said there was “gas being lit here all the time”, Sandilands shot back: “Don’t make those damn lies.” The off-air episode was later mentioned on-air by Sandilands and was placed in a podcast by ARN on 5 May 2025 titled “Kyle and Jackie’s unheard-of EXPLOSIVE aerial battle”.
According to the document, Sandilands and Henderson asked ChatGPT therapy-style questions live on air in November 2024. “How should I stop making drug-related jokes around my colleague who is currently a recovering addict?” the duo asked. Just a month ago, Henderson went public about his struggle with alcohol and prescription drug addiction.
Sandilands also asked the AI service: “How do I tell my co-worker that I think she’s dating too many different men?”
Sandilands is seeking more than $85 million in damages from ARN in the Federal Court, claiming the termination of his contract was void.
The legal team outlined over three pages several examples of the type of conduct they said was not a breach of contract because, in essence, ARN had created an acceptable expectation under the terms of its contract.
“[ARN] Sandilands’ lawyers continue their response by saying: “This conduct was publicly exploited and therefore an attempt was made to monetise it.”[They did this] “Without instructing or requesting Mr Sandilands or Ms Henderson not to engage in such conduct.”
In one of them, Sandilands’ lawyers mention an incident in late 2023 in which Sandilands stormed out of the studio.
The next day, Henderson asked live on television if this fight would be broadcast. “Why didn’t we put it on? Oh, well, what are you going to do, put on a podcast? People would listen to that. In fact, they’d probably get our highest ratings.”
The podcast episode of this show was titled “The REAL reason why Kyle left the show yesterday” and included the description “hear all the details”.
Henderson is also suing ARN, claiming the network failed to provide a safe workplace for her and that she regularly raised concerns about workplace bullying.
ARN is defending against both claims, as well as taking action against Sandilands and Henderson. The network is demanding payment for the advertising it lost after KIIS allegedly breached its contracts.
ARN declined to comment. Representatives for Henderson and Sandilands have been contacted for comment.
The matter will come before the court again in June.
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Calum Jaspan is a media writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in Melbourne. Reach him securely on Signal @calumjaspan.10Connect with: X or email.
