Kyle Sandilands escalates ARN stoush with court fight over axed $100m radio deal
Controversial broadcaster Kyle Sandilands has formally launched legal action against ARN Media, accusing the embattled radio network of unlawfully tearing up his $100 million KIIS FM contract and using an on-air bust‑up as a pretext to dump him.
Proceedings were filed in the Federal Court on Friday against ARN and its subsidiary Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation, which holds the KIIS 1065 Sydney licence, and disclosed to investors in an ASX announcement on Monday morning. Sandilands’ lawyers argue ARN’s claim that he engaged in “serious misconduct” during a 20 February on‑air argument with long-time co-host Jackie “O” Henderson is wrong, and that he did not breach his contractual obligations.
According to the filing, Sandilands alleges the termination was “invalid” and “unconscionable” under Australian Consumer Law. He is seeking specific performance of two contracts, payment of all amounts said to be due and payable at the time of judgment, and damages – a package that could run well beyond the $80 million reportedly left on his 10‑year deal.
The legal fight caps a spectacular unravelling of one of Australian radio’s most bankable partnerships. The Kyle and Jackie O Show, once drawing close to 800,000 daily listeners in Sydney and commanding a market‑leading share, was signed in mid‑2023 to a headline‑grabbing 10‑year, $200 million contract intended to anchor ARN’s strategy and fuel a...
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