6 days ago
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Rumours continue to swirl that Karl Stefanovic is preparing to walk away from his high-profile Today gig.
The Australian claimed on Monday that it is unlikely Stefanovic will extend his multi-million-dollar contract when it expires at the end of the year, and is eyeing a 'full-time switch to radio'.
Stefanovic reportedly had informal talks with Australian Radio Network (ARN) regarding the move 'as recently as a month ago' and is currently weighing up his options.
According to the report, Stefanovic told ARN boss Michael Stephenson during their meeting that 'he doesn't know what he is doing next year'.
The publication also claimed that Nine's decision to grant permission for Stefanovic to launch his own podcast, 'The Karl Stefanovic Show', was a 'mistake'.
It was suggested that executives 'underestimated Stefanovic's work ethic and commitment to the project', particularly his desire to keep the project independent of Nine.
Rumours continue to swirl that Karl Stefanovic is preparing to walk away from his high-profile Today gig
Nine did not comment to The Australian about the suggestion that Stefanovic was going against the Nine 'company line' regarding his podcast content, instead noting: 'This is an independent podcast entirely produced by Karl.'
During a recent episode of his podcast, Stefanovic revealed that he now regrets urging Aussies to get the Covid jab during the pandemic.
He made the admission during a wide-ranging interview with former Liberal senator and outspoken vaccine critic Gerard Rennick.
At the height of the pandemic in 2021, Stefanovic fronted Channel Nine's 'This is Our Shot' Covid vaccination television campaign alongside a host of network celebrities such as Scott Cam, Hamish Blake, Shaynna Blaze, Eddie McGuire, Liz Hayes and Richard Wilkins.
Almost five years on, backlash from viewers has prompted Stefanovic to have a change of heart about his involvement.
'The one thing they say about me is that I supported the Covid jab, and I have regrets from that time,' he said.
'I am definitely sorry for the role I played in not questioning the science, in not questioning more the government mandates, and I feel like I isolated people because of that, and I don't think the media should be involved in that kind of messaging.
'What I do believe is that we should have been there to offer some sort of education, but we shouldn't have taken that step further and been part of a campaign.'
The Australian claimed on Monday that it is unlikely Stefanovic will extend his multi-million-dollar contract when it expires at the end of the year, and is eyeing a 'full-time switch to radio'
The publication also claimed that Nine's decision to grant permission for Stefanovic to launch his own podcast, 'The Karl Stefanovic Show', was a 'mistake'
It was reported last week that Stefanovic 'had informal talks' with ARN about a possible move to radio.
With KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show imploding, leaving Jackie 'O' Henderson's seat beside host Kyle Sandilands vacant, Stefanovic's chat with the network piqued the interest of media insiders.
Stefanovic has appeared on The Kyle and Jackie O Show in the past, and is known to be friendly with Sandilands, with the pair sharing on-air chemistry.
While there is no suggestion at this time that Stefanovic is set to join Sandilands' top-rated breakfast show, the slot beside the radio kingpin is bound to be attractive to prospective co-hosts.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that no deal has been reached between Stefanovic and ARN at this time, and both ARN and Nine declined to comment.
Meanwhile, The Australian claims Stefanovic was given just a 12-month extension on his Today show contract last year after he vowed to turn the show's ratings around after consistently falling behind rival Sunrise.
The publication reports he received pay cut of around $1 million from his $3 million salary, but was given permission to go ahead with his podcast.
While it is unclear exactly how much Stefanovic is on, it's pennies compared to the pay packet Sandilands was taking home.
Stefanovic reportedly had informal talks with Australian Radio Network (ARN) regarding the move 'as recently as a month ago' and he is currently weighing up his options
Sandilands and his former co-host Henderson signed a 10-year deal with ARN in 2023.
They were paid a reported $200 million in that landmark negotiation and earned approximately $47,000 per episode.
The rumours come as Stefanovic approaches more than two decades at the helm of the number two breakfast show in the country.
Despite being partnered with a parade of high-profile co-hosts over the years – including Jessica Rowe, Lisa Wilkinson, Allison Langdon and most recently, Sarah Abo – Today has consistently been beaten by Sunrise under Karl's tenure.
Daily Mail has reached out to Nine for comment.
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