Karl Stefanovic’s brief tenure in radio has ended following the cancellation of his contract with Australian Radio Network (ARN) amid controversy surrounding his podcast. This development occurs days after his long-standing association with Nine Network concluded, including his role as host of the television program Today.

Stefanovic was initially announced as co-host of the Friday afternoon radio show The Long Weekend alongside Eddie McGuire. The program launched three weeks ago but ran into difficulties after just two episodes when Stefanovic stepped away from the show. His departure followed public backlash over an interview he conducted on his podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, with alt-right figure Tommy Robinson. The interview was a key factor in the early termination of his television contract with Nine.

ARN declined to comment on the cancellation, and Stefanovic’s representatives did not respond to inquiries. It is understood that ARN’s decision to sever ties stemmed from the controversy surrounding Stefanovic, coupled with the threat of an activist-led campaign targeting the network. These activist groups have previously influenced ARN’s operations, notably affecting the company’s relationship with the Kyle and Jackie O Show.

At ARN’s annual general meeting in May, CEO Michael Stephenson acknowledged that advertiser withdrawals due to brand safety concerns had impacted company revenue. While Stephenson did not directly connect these concerns to Stefanovic’s situation, he noted that the company expected some revenue recovery in the latter half of the year.

ARN emphasized that Stefanovic’s podcast activities were undertaken independently and did not represent the network’s views or editorial standards. A spokesperson clarified that his involvement with ARN was limited strictly to specific radio programming. Following Stefanovic’s exit, McGuire will continue hosting The Long Weekend solo while ARN evaluates the show’s future direction.

Amid this transition, reports have emerged indicating a potential partnership between Stefanovic and prominent radio personality Kyle Sandilands. Domain registrations associated with websites such as kyleandkarl.com.au and karlandkyle.com.au were recently linked to Sandilands’ company, King Kyle Group Pty Ltd. Additional domain names—morningmen.com.au and themorningmen.com.au—were also registered earlier this year, suggesting ongoing planning.

Sources close to both broadcasters note that discussions about collaborating have been underway for several years, predating their respective departures from traditional media employers. While Sandilands has not publicly commented on the matter, it is understood the two have maintained regular communication since Stefanovic’s exit from Nine’s Today show, fueling speculation about future joint projects.