Samantha Armytage emerges as top contender to take over Kyle & Jackie O show as major stars enter secret talks with ARN

2 weeks ago 10

Samantha Armytage has been tipped as a favourite to replace the Kyle & Jackie O show after insiders revealed she recently received a call from ARN.

The radio network is currently embroiled in two separate legal actions against Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson over their cancelled $200million contracts.

However, this hasn't stopped ARN from contacting a slew of big names in entertainment to fill 'several new shows', The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Thursday.

Samantha, 49, is best known for her career in TV across Seven and Nine, but she is no stranger to appearing on radio in a guest capacity.

However, sources claim she is yet to have any fruitful meetings with ARN executives, as formal discussions have not begun.

And she's not the only TV figure being eyed for a position, as high-profile talent Karl Stefanovic is also said to have been pursued by the network.

Samantha Armytage, 49, has been tipped as a favourite to replace the Kyle & Jackie O show after insiders revealed she recently received a call from ARN 

The Today show co-host may be in a prime position to accept a radio role after the successful rollout of his self-titled right‑leaning podcast. 

There are also whispers ARN has thrown Eddie McGuire's name into the hat, though Samantha and Karl, 51, appear to be the frontrunners. 

Daily Mail has reached out to Samantha and ARN for comment. 

It comes as ARN Media is reeling from a devastating financial and legal double hit, with its market value now hovering dangerously close to the $100million mark as former radio powerhouses Kyle, 54, and Jackie, 51, both prepare to take on the network in court.

Once a dominant force in Australian radio, the KIIS 106.5 parent company has seen its valuation plummet to roughly $100million-$110million as of late March 2026.

At one point last week, ARN’s value dipped even lower, briefly hitting around $98.5million.

That figure is a staggering fall from previous highs - and, crucially, puts the company’s entire worth barely more than the combined damages the two stars are reportedly seeking.

The lawsuits themselves are nothing short of explosive.

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The radio network is currently embroiled in dual legal action against Kyle Sandilands, 54, and Jackie 'O' Henderson, 51, over their cancelled $200million contracts

Kyle is already pursuing a claim believed to be worth up to $85million, while Jackie has now launched her own legal action alleging adverse action and breach of contract.

She is seeking compensation of at least $82.25million, as well as a pecuniary penalty plus interest and costs.

If both claims land anywhere near their reported figures, ARN could be staring down liabilities exceeding $160million - well above its current market capitalisation.

If ARN were to lose its cases, the consequences could be existential.

A payout of that scale would likely force ARN into drastic measures such as raising emergency capital, selling off key assets, or even becoming a takeover target at a heavily discounted price.

Kyle himself is rumoured to be considering buying ARN.

Days before Kyle was officially fired last month, former radio executive Craig Bruce claimed Kyle had mentioned he wanted to buy the network if he was given the axe.

Bruce claimed he'd received a message from an audience member at a live taping of Australian Idol, who said they overheard Kyle claiming he would buy the network if he were fired.

Karl Stefanovic is also said to have been chased by the network, with the Today co-host in a prime position to accept a radio role after the successful roll-out of his right-wing podcast

It's unclear if Kyle made the comments seriously or in jest.

Kyle filed his lawsuit against ARN in the Federal Court on March 23.

Backed by a prominent legal team, the 54-year-old claims that ARN deliberately conspired to sabotage his $100million, 10-year contract in a calculated attempt to exit the costly agreement after just over 14 months.

Kevin Lynch, a partner at Johnson Winter Slattery, leads Kyle's legal team.

ARN also disputes the claims and will defend them.

Jackie meanwhile filed her own lawsuit on Tuesday, and alleges the termination of her contract was a breach of the Fair Work Act.

Jackie has filed in the Federal Court against the Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation, a subsidiary of KIIS 1065's parent company ARN.

She is claiming that the termination of her contract 'constituted adverse action.'

Jackie sent a complaint to CBC saying she 'cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands' and made 'psychosocial health and safety and bullying complaints in relation to the conduct of Mr Kyle Sandilands on and prior to 20 February 2026'.

She argues that making this complaint was her right as an employee – and that she was fired because of it, which would be illegal under the Fair Work Act.

She also claims ARN made 'misleading and deceptive statements under the Australian Consumer Law' when announcing her exit to the ASX on March 3.

Jackie rejected ARN's claim that she quit her radio show, releasing a statement on March 6 that read: 'Over the past few days, there has been a lot of speculation and misinformation about my departure on the show. I want to make one important point very clear: I did not quit or resign.'

ARN denies the claims and will fight the case in court.

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