Karl Stefanovic's high-profile radio debut on 'The Long Weekend' has been dealt a devastating blow after a podcast interview with UK far-right activist Tommy Robinson sparked outrage and threatened to torpedo his new gig. The Australian media personality was due to co-host the national show alongside Eddie McGuire, but his appearance has now been canned in the wake of widespread criticism.
ARN Media, who had hailed Stefanovic as one of the biggest stars in Australian media, are facing a perfect storm of controversy and commercial pressure. With key advertisers threatening to pull out, the company is reportedly reviewing its deal with Stefanovic - just weeks after CEO Michael Stephenson trumpeted the signing as a major coup.
As the fallout continues, it's been revealed that Nine Entertainment is on the brink of dumping Stefanovic altogether, despite his reported A$2.8 million contract set to run until year-end. The Sydney Morning Herald has confirmed that he'll be leaving the company - but details remain sketchy, with no official word from Nine.
ARN's already reeling from a previous advertiser boycott linked to Kyle Sandilands' Kiis FM show, which cost them a whopping A$12 million in damages. Now, it seems Stefanovic's return to ARN is on shaky ground - and his future in Australian media hangs precariously in the balance.
As the controversy rages on, an ARN spokesperson has attempted to distance themselves from Stefanovic's podcast interview, claiming it was conducted "in a personal capacity" outside of their control. Meanwhile, Aussie PM Anthony Albanese has weighed in, suggesting that Stefanovic's apparent ousting is a cautionary tale about straying too far from the mainstream debate.