Jackie “O” Henderson’s dispute with Australian Radio Network (ARN) over her $10 million salary and contract termination has unfolded further in the Federal Court of Australia, with ARN directors asserting she was not worth the salary without her co-host Kyle Sandilands. The case stems from the breakdown of the Kyle and Jackie O show following an on-air confrontation on February 20, which led to Henderson’s departure.

In court documents, ARN directors expressed the view that Sandilands was the "major talent" responsible for the show's commercial success. Alison Cameron, an ARN director, stated in an affidavit that when Henderson declared she would not continue working with Sandilands, the network felt it had no option but to terminate her contract. Cameron added that Henderson’s request for a new time slot was not feasible, as other dayparts did not generate comparable revenue, and no immediate alternative was available.

Another director, Brent Cubis, described the split between Henderson and Sandilands as “like a divorce” and said he could not justify maintaining Henderson’s $10 million annual pay if she was no longer part of the breakfast show. Cubis argued that an afternoon show—potentially her new role—would earn only a fraction of the revenue generated by the Kyle and Jackie O breakfast program.

ARN’s CEO Michael Stephenson reinforced this perspective, emphasizing that the show’s strength and commercial value was derived from the combination of both hosts, and that either working separately would be less successful.

Henderson and her company, Henderson Media, are suing ARN Media and its subsidiary Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation, alleging unlawful termination and breach of contract. She claims she was dismissed unlawfully after raising concerns about Sandilands’ alleged bullying, seeking damages of at least $82 million.

ARN counters that they were entitled to end the contract after Henderson indicated she would no longer work with Sandilands, which was central to her role and compensation. The dispute has included contentious legal battles over document access, with Justice Ian Jackman recently dismissing Henderson’s attempt to release over 800 documents withheld under legal professional privilege, and rejecting ARN’s challenge to five documents Henderson claimed privilege over.

Meanwhile, Sandilands reached a $12 million settlement with ARN to resolve his own dispute with the network. Henderson’s case is scheduled for trial in April 2027.