After months of legal warfare, the very public battle between Kyle Sandilands and ARN has finally reached a settlement.
The ASX-listed radio company has entered a binding agreement with Sandilands and will pay the shock jock and former KIIS employee close to $14 million, including a $12.09 million cash settlement and a further $1.5 million in advertising inventory for his next venture.
An initial $3 million payment due in July with the remaining balance to be paid in monthly instalments until June 2029.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sandilands cannot work for a rival company until March 2027 and ARN will enter into a three-year 19.9 per cent revenue sharing arrangement with Sandilands on a new independent subscription-based live vodcast called Kyle Sandilands Live.
That show will go head to head with his former employer during the breakfast radio time slot that Sandilands and his former co-host Jackie Henderson dominated for decades.
The legal battle began after ARN abruptly axed KIIS’ Kyle & Jackie O Show earlier this year, citing what it described as “serious misconduct” by Sandilands towards Henderson live on air.
The broadcaster subsequently terminated his $100 million contract, prompting Sandilands to take Court action for unfair dismissal against his former employer.
“ARN remains focused on executing its strategy, including driving a leaner, more efficient operating model, strengthening its core radio network and continuing to invest in digital capabilities and long-term growth,” ARN chief executive Michael Stephenson said in an ASX announcement.
Henderson is currently embroiled in a separate court battle with ARN, alleging that her termination was in breach of the Fair Work Act.
