Kyle Sandilands settles with former radio station for $12m and a helping hand with new media venture | Kyle Sandilands
Kyle Sandilands has settled his dispute with ARN Media in exchange for a $12 million cash payment and a promise it would help him launch a new media venture.
The money is a fraction of the $85 million the former radio host is seeking after his sudden dismissal in February, but it avoids what threatens to be a costly and potentially damaging lawsuit in federal court.
Sandilands and Kiis FM’s Breakfast Show co-host Jackie “O” Henderson launched a separate lawsuit against ARN after the company terminated their 10-year contract within a year. Henderson’s case has not yet been concluded.
ARN Media, the licensee of Kiis FM, said in a statement to the stock exchange on Wednesday that a binding agreement had been reached with Sandilands. The settlement ended all claims and counterclaims filed in federal court.
This also severed all Sandilands’ previous links with the station; Sandilands had told the court he wanted to go back on air on Kiis FM.
The company told the ASX that Sandilands was banned from appearing on radio stations competing with Kiis FM for nine months.
ARN Media said Sandilands was pursuing “independent media opportunities” and had agreed to advertise his new venture on radio stations.
The deal includes a cash payment of $12.09 million, with $3 million to be paid next month and the balance to be paid monthly through June 2029.
“Mr Sandilands has informed ARN that he intends to pursue independent media opportunities,” the notice to the ASX said.
“As part of the agreement, ARN will provide Mr. Sandilands with advertising services valued at $1,500,000 across ARN’s partner platforms over the next three years.”
Sandilands will share 19.9% of the revenue from his new show with ARN Media for three years.
Sandilands and Henderson were seeking $85 million and $82 million respectively from the ARN, and a date had been set for a single trial.
While the Sandilands matter has been resolved, the company said the Henderson case remains ongoing.
Henderson is demanding “at least 82 million 250 thousand dollars” in compensation for the unfair termination of his 10-year contract. He told the court he had complained to the ARN about Sandilands allegedly bullying him on more than one occasion.
The legal turmoil began when Sandilands and Henderson argued live on television and Henderson immediately took leave.
On March 3, ARN announced the pair’s breakfast show would be axed after Henderson said he could no longer work with his on-air partner of 25 years.
ARN chief executive Michael Stephenson said the agreement brought certainty to ARN and resolved the legal dispute.
“ARN remains focused on executing its strategy, including supporting a leaner, more efficient operating model,” Stephenson said.
