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Karl Stefanovic has officially left the Today show and Channel Nine following the fallout from his controversial interview with Tommy Robinson this week.
His co-host Sarah Abo broke down in tears as she announced the news live on-air on Friday morning after mounting speculation about his future at the network.
'Look, we know there has been a lot of speculation about Karl’s future with the show. Today we wanted to inform you that Karl will not be returning to the Today show or to Nine,' she said.
Fill-in host Tom Steinfort said it was 'no longer possible' for Stefanovic to work on both the breakfast show and his podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show.
'As you know, he’s been pursuing a podcast project independently of Nine for the past few months, and it’s been decided he’ll be injecting all of his energy and attention into that, as doing both is no longer possible,' he said.
In a statement to The Daily Mail, Channel Nine said that Stefanovic is leaving the network 'immediately'.
Karl Stefanovic has officially left the Today show and Channel Nine following the fallout from his controversial interview with Tommy Robinson this week
His co-host Sarah Abo broke down in tears as she announced the news live on-air on Friday morning after mounting speculation about his future at the network
'Nine Entertainment and Karl Stefanovic have agreed that it is no longer possible for him to continue hosting Today at the same time as his independent podcast,' they said.
'While Karl and Nine had previously agreed he would leave Today at the end of this year, they have subsequently decided he will leave the Network immediately.'
Shortly after the announcement, Stefanovic addressed his Today show fans in a video upload to YouTube, declaring that he was 'free'.
He directly addressed his co-host Abo, asking her to take care of the Today show team.
'Hey guys some week, huh? So, I am free. Truly independent. I didn’t get the chance to thank my free to air audience for 21 great years, so thank you for riding the ups and downs. You have my thanks and have all of my love,' he said.
'To my colleagues, I'll ring you privately, but Sares look after everyone for me. I know they'll miss me desperately, especially Halos and Isaac and Abby and Timmy.
'But everyone there, I look forward to seeing you soon.
Stefanovic went on to thank the viewers of his independent podcast as he stressed about the importance of 'freedom of speech'.
'To my audience on this show, thank you for your messages over the last couple of days. It has really meant everything to me.
Stefanovic – who has been branded 'Joe Boga' thanks to his attempt at replicating the success of Joe Rogan's podcast – sparked controversy when he published the interview with Robinson which discussed Islam, immigration and Australian politics. Pictured: Tommy Robinson
'It wasn't easy this last couple of days, but we roll on. So, here's what I believe in. The public deserve to hear perspectives. This country was built by, you know, hardworking Aussies from all around the world, and they were bound by the same values, but very different experiences.
'So on my show, I've spoken to people who have different perspectives. I know that winds some people up. Sometimes I agree with everything a guest says, sometimes I don't. But importantly, you get to make up your mind. You have the right to hear from different voices.
'Freedom of speech here and around the world is what this show is about. You don't have to listen to my show. You have the power. You are smart enough to make up your own mind.
'I want to thank our sponsors who stood by us, who believe in the freedom of speech that we're talking about, who are proud to stand by us, to stand by you. I hope other proud sponsors join the show shortly. We're looking for them. Well, we keep going. Thanks, legends.
'Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do. Um, but I'll figure it out.'
The news comes after it was reported that Stefanovic was set to resign from Nine following late-night talks on Wednesday with the network over his interview with Robinson.
The Today show star uploaded a controversial chat with the British far-right activist to his YouTube channel podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, on Tuesday, only to delete it hours later after facing widespread backlash.
Stefanovic uploaded the controversial chat on Tuesday, only to delete it hours later after facing widespread backlash
Stefanovic, who was on two weeks' leave in London, was told the network 'wanted to part ways'.
The TV star, who has been a Nine stalwart for some 25 years, has six months and over $1million left to be paid on his 12 month contract.
According to sources via news.com.au, he is pushing for a full payout of the remainder of his contract - similar to the lucrative exits secured by former Nine radio heavyweights Alan Jones and Ray Hadley - despite their vastly different departure circumstances.
Stefanovic – who has been branded 'Joe Bogan' thanks to his attempt at replicating the success of Joe Rogan's podcast – sparked controversy when he published the interview with Robinson which discussed Islam, immigration and Australian politics.
By Wednesday morning, the interview had vanished from Spotify, Apple Podcasts and The Karl Stefanovic Show YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, activist group Mad F**king Witches (MFW) announced that it had launched a campaign against Stefanovic over the podcast with Robinson.
The grassroots organisation is known for launching advertising boycotts against media figures, having previously targeted Kyle Sandilands.
'Nine should be well aware: them taking Karl's podcast down won't stop us. In fact, it makes us even angrier they seem to think we're so easily fooled and silenced,' the organisation wrote on X.
In a statement to Daily Mail on Wednesday before Stefanovic's resignation, a Nine spokesperson said his podcast was produced independently, and while it had no affiliation with the TV network, they were treating the matter seriously.
'The Karl Stefanovic Show is a completely independent production,' a spokesperson told Daily Mail.
'Nine has no involvement, including in the guest selection and other editorial processes.
'However, Nine is taking this matter seriously.'
Pauline Hanson backed her 'good friend' Stefanovic before his resignation by uploading his pulled interview with Robinson to her own YouTube channel.
Hanson weighed in on the saga on X, accusing the Nine Network of trying to 'sack' the Today show host.
'It looks like they're trying to sack my good friend Karl Stefanovic for this video with Tommy Robinson!' she wrote.
Hanson then criticised Nine's performance and management and justified sharing Stefanovic's interview as a warning about immigration and extremism, arguing he was raising issues Australians need to confront.
Stefanovic, who has been a Nine stalwart for some 25 years, has six months and over $1million left to be paid on his current 12-month contract. Pictured with wife Jasmine
'Deb Knight was a huge flop for Channel 9 and while she was busy grilling me over One Nation's polling, Channel 9's ratings were in the toilet,' she added.
'In 2019 on live TV with her, I called on Channel 9 to bring back Karl. Now with six months to go on his contract the weak management of Channel 9 want to sack Karl over this interview.
'Tommy Robinson has a lesson for Australians. If we don't learn from the UK's mistakes on immigration and radical Islam, we are going to face the same destruction. This is exactly what Karl was trying to bring to Australia's attention.'
Hanson then concluded her post by asking: 'Have Channel 9 become just as bad as the ABC?'
Robinson has been a prominent figure in right-wing activism in the UK for almost a decade, and has a lengthy criminal record.
His convictions include violence, public order offences, contempt of court, stalking and harassing journalists, as well as financial and immigration fraud.
Stefanovic, one of Australia's most famous television presenters, has taken to interviewing right-wing personalities on his podcast, which he launched in January.
He has welcomed the likes of Hanson, and others from the party such as Barnaby Joyce and Sean Bell, onto the show.
Other right-wing guests include former Liberal prime ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard, and Coalition figures Alex Antic, Matt Canavan and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.
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