Nine Entertainment has confirmed that Karl Stefanovic will leave the “Today” show immediately.
It brings forward a departure originally scheduled for the end of 2026.
The network said Stefanovic and Nine had mutually agreed it was no longer viable for him to continue hosting “Today” while simultaneously running his independent podcast.
“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,” Nine said in a statement.
“While Karl and Nine had previously agreed he would leave ‘Today’ at the end of this year, they have subsequently decided he will leave the Network immediately.”
Nine Entertainment confirmed Stefanovic’s departure in a statement earlier this week, saying both parties had agreed it was no longer tenable for him to host Today while running an independent podcast. “While Karl and Nine had previously agreed he would leave Today at the end of this year, they have subsequently decided he will leave the Network immediately,” the network said.
In an internal email to staff, Nine CEO Matt Stanton acknowledged the volume of media coverage surrounding the exit and framed the departure as the right call for both parties. “After more than 20 years it’s the right time for Karl to move on from Today and from Nine,” Stanton wrote. “Karl has been a fixture on our screens for over two decades, so we know this is a significant change for our viewers and all of us here at Nine, however it’s the right time to make it.”
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Shortly after, Stefanovic took to YouTube to address the news.
“On my show, I’ve spoken to people who have different perspectives. I know that winds some people up. Sometimes I agree with everything a guest says, sometimes I don’t, but importantly, you get to make up your mind,” he said.
“You have the right to hear from different voices. Freedom of speech here and around the world is what this show is about. You don’t have to listen to my show. You have the power. You are smart enough to make up your own mind.”
He closed the video with characteristic candour: “Thanks, legends. Honestly, I don’t know what I’m going to do. But I’ll figure it out.”
The confirmation came after a turbulent 48 hours for the network.
Reports emerged on Wednesday that Nine executives had held crisis meetings to consider Stefanovic’s future after his independent podcast, ‘The Karl Stefanovic Show,’ published an interview with British far-right activist Tommy Robinson on YouTube.
The episode disappeared from the platform within 24 hours.
By Wednesday evening, Mediaweek reported that Stefanovic would leave Nine altogether.
Multiple other outlets, including The Guardian, had earlier reported Nine was expected to end his contract.
The controversy also drew political intervention. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson posted on X on Wednesday afternoon, defending Stefanovic, accusing Nine of “trying to sack” him, and alleging that the podcast’s removal was engineered to discredit what she called her “good friend.”
From Mediaweek