Karl Stefanovic is leaving the Nine network immediately, following a controversy over his independent podcast interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The broadcaster announced the departure on Friday, describing it as a mutual decision between Stefanovic and the network.
Joint Decision After Podcast Fallout
In a statement, a Nine Entertainment spokesperson said: “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.” The spokesperson added that while Stefanovic had previously agreed to leave Today at the end of the year, both parties decided he would leave the network immediately.
Internal Email to Staff
In an internal email to staff, obtained by Guardian Australia, Nine’s chief executive officer Matt Stanton acknowledged the media reporting around Stefanovic’s future. “We’ve … announced this morning that after more than 20 years it’s the right time for Karl to move on from Today and from Nine,” Stanton wrote. He noted that Stefanovic had been a fixture on screens for over two decades, calling the change significant but timely.
Background of the Controversy
The departure comes days after Stefanovic used his independent podcast series to interview Tommy Robinson, a far-right activist known for his anti-Islam and anti-immigration views. The interview sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about Stefanovic’s role at Nine, given the network’s editorial standards.
Stefanovic had been a host on the Today show for many years and was one of the network’s highest-paid personalities. His exit marks a major shift for the morning program, which will now need to find a replacement host.
