Nine has reportedly parted ways with longtime Today show host Karl Stefanovic following a day of high-level crisis talks sparked by his controversial podcast interview with far-right figure Tommy Robinson.
According to reports, senior executives met behind closed doors at the network’s North Sydney headquarters on Wednesday to discuss Stefanovic’s future after mounting concerns over his increasingly outspoken independent content. Nine published an article hours later saying Stefanovic was set to leave the network, paving the way for a major breakfast television shake-up.
The decision to sever ties is expected to be formalised once discussions are held with the presenter, who is currently in London on leave.
Stefanovic’s $3 million contract stipulates he should not bring Channel 9 into disrepute, reports say.
The fallout centres on an episode of Stefanovic’s podcast released earlier this week, in which he appeared alongside Robinson, an anti-immigration activist, in a segment that has drawn sharp criticism.
Stefanovic said he admired Robinson’s “tenacity” and “courage”.
In its strongest statement about Stefanovic’s contentious foray into podcasting, Nine said on Wednesday morning it is taking his most recent episode “seriously”.
“The Karl Stefanovic Show is a completely independent production,” a Nine spokesperson told The Nightly.
“Nine has no involvement, including in the guest selection and other editorial processes.
“However, Nine is taking this matter seriously.”
When the full interview was published, it further intensified scrutiny. Stefanovic faced backlash for failing to challenge Robinson’s views, instead commending him for speaking out. The segment was widely criticised for lacking balance and rigour.
Although Nine had previously sought to distance itself from Stefanovic’s podcast since its launch in January, the latest controversy heightened fears about reputational damage and potential commercial consequences, including advertiser concerns and shareholder complaints.
Stefanovic later removed the interview from his social media platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, Instagram and Apple Podcasts, within hours of it going live. While the decision was made after discussions with network executives, it is understood he was not explicitly directed to take it down.
The deletion did little to calm the situation. The interview quickly resurfaced online after being republished by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who shared the full 55-minute video with the headline “CANCELLED: The Full Karl Stefanovic and Tommy Robinson Interview”.
Hanson also claimed the network was attempting to sack Stefanovic over the controversy. She used the opportunity to criticise Nine and Stefanovic’s colleagues, including Deborah Knight, referencing the network’s failed 2019 breakfast show overhaul.
“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,” a statement on Hanson’s YouTube account said.
“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 has not explained how she obtained the interview after it was removed, nor whether she had Stefanovic’s consent to republish it.
Stefanovic, one of Nine’s most recognisable faces, has been with the network for more than two decades.
The latest in the Stefanovic saga came just hours after the Today host uploaded a new The Karl Stefanovic Show episode, featuring former Aussie soap star-turned right wing mouthpiece Holly Valance.
In the interview UK-based Valance, born Holly Vukadinovic, echoed Robinson’s endorsement of One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
She also likened Great Britain’s immigration issues to Australia’s.
“Yes it’s very welcoming to people, to a fault, but now unfortunately that is going to bite us all in the arse in Australia,” she told Nine star Stefanovic.
“You can see the signs now, so you’ve got people like Pauline who are desperately trying to put on the brakes and change things.
“I’m really behind her. I think she’s amazing.”
Valance has also been pictured alongside Robinson on several occasions.
When asked about her views by Stefanovic, 43-year-old Valance replied “I keep that for my weekend white supremacy marches” – possibly a reference to her attendance at last September’s Unite the Kingdom demonstration in London alongside the right-wing firebrand.
She has also been pictured with Robinson on a high-end steam train trip in 2025.
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