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Nine Ends Karl Stefanovic Contract After Podcast Interview
Nine has ended its relationship with longtime Today host Karl Stefanovic after he posted and then deleted an interview with British activist Tommy Robinson. The network cited the independent podcast as outside its control but said it took the matter seriously.
The Sydney Morning HeraldAudio version
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Nine has ended its professional relationship with Karl Stefanovic, the longtime host of its morning program Today, following an interview he conducted on his independent podcast. The network said it had no involvement in the podcast but decided to part ways after a day of internal meetings. As of Thursday afternoon, Nine had not publicly confirmed the terms or timing of the departure.
Background to the Split Stefanovic had been a central figure at Nine for years.
" His position weakened after the departure of then-chief executive Mike Sneesby. The new chief executive, Matt Stanton, negotiated a one-year contract reportedly worth around $2 million and allowed Stefanovic to launch an independent podcast.
The podcast, launched in January, featured guests including One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, miner Clive Palmer, former senator Gerard Rennick, and chef Pete Evans. " Nine executives grew concerned after Stefanovic posted an hour-long interview with Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon.
Robinson has convictions for assault, mortgage fraud, using a false passport, and contempt of court. The network also noted an earlier Instagram post in which Stefanovic suggested accused war criminal Ben Roberts-Smith faced double standards. Nine had spent millions defending a defamation case brought by Roberts-Smith over reporting in this masthead.
Nine owns this masthead.
