Radio host addresses media as board considers contract termination
Updated ,first published
Kyle Sandilands joked on live recording Australian Idol He said Tuesday night that he will soon be looking for a job at affordable men’s clothing chain Lowes.
“There’s nothing else on my mind except the excitement of voting,” said a cheerful Sandilands. Australian Idol Hosts Ricki Lee and Scott Tweedie for their thoughts on live voting for the singing competition. “I dress like this too [referring to his black suit] Because I have a job interview at Lowes after the show. With the radio guys, when you get off the radio the only thing you can do is sell socks at Lowes.
To cheers from the audience and a pat on the arm from fellow judge Marcia Hines, Sandilands continued: “I’ve got this job for now, and for now” – he glanced theatrically at his watch – “I still have my other job.”
Judge Amy Shark added: “You can note us for reference.”
Sandilands appeared cheerful on the show in the afternoon after claiming he had “many options” but had not heard from his employer just hours before the 14-day deadline set by KIIS owner ARN for the controversial broadcaster to repair its relationship with co-host Jackie “O” Henderson or have its $100 million contract terminated.
On Tuesday afternoon, Sandilands emerged from his Vaucluse mansion wearing a gray blazer and black T-shirt to address the media uproar and then headed off to do a live taping. Australian Idol He announced on Rooty Hill that his listeners wanted him back on the air.
“I can’t say too much as I haven’t heard anything yet,” Sandilands said. “I still want to do the show. Listeners want me to come back to the show.”
Sandilands said she could not predict what would happen to ARN, which went silent for two weeks after it suspended the presenter for alleged “serious misconduct” after she berated her co-host Jackie “O” Henderson on air last month.
As his manager Bruno Bouchet filmed Sandilands with an action camera and journalists peppered him with questions, the broadcaster answered questions for less than a minute before leaving. Sandilands left in a black van, although a luxury car was parked outside his home.
ARN’s board is expected to meet early Wednesday, after a midnight deadline set by the company expires.
The board will then consider whether Sandilands has resolved the issue and what further steps it can take, including whether to terminate Sandilands’ contract as it did with Henderson at the beginning of the month.
Henderson’s contract was terminated after he told the company through his lawyers that he could not continue working with Sandilands. Both signed 10-year deals in 2023, requiring them to fulfill those agreements. The Kyle and Jackie O Show for a total of $200 million. Without Henderson, Sandilands won’t be able to deliver this show either.
Asked about reports that he would seek to buy KIIS parent company ARN, Sandilands said: “There are lots of options, that’s all I have to say.”
Sandilands was this week photographed meeting Stuart Laundy, part of the family who agreed to buy talkback stations including 2GB and 3AW from Nine, which owns this imprint.
Stuart Laundy’s brother Craig, a former Liberal MP, along with their father Arthur, led the family in purchasing the radio network.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority imposed extra licensing conditions on ARN on Monday after finding Sandilands and Henderson had repeatedly breached its ethics code, making potential buyouts linked to the broadcaster difficult.
