Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson sue ARN Media over contract termination
Consensus Summary
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson, former co-hosts of The Kyle and Jackie O Show on KIIS FM, are suing ARN Media for wrongful termination of their $100 million contracts each, totaling $200 million over 10 years. The dispute stems from an on-air argument in February 2026, where Sandilands accused Henderson of being 'off with the fairies' and criticized her work ethic, leading to her refusal to work with him. ARN countersued, alleging both hosts breached their contracts through bullying, expletive-laden rants, and loss of advertising revenue. Sandilands’ lawyer argues his conduct was 'desired and monetized' under their agreement, while ARN claims it constituted serious misconduct. Court documents reveal Sandilands repeatedly berated executives, censors, and listeners, including threats against the activist group Mad F---ing Witches. Henderson’s legal team alleges systemic bullying left her 'psychologically unwell' and that ARN failed to protect her. The Federal Court tentatively scheduled trials for October 2026, with both cases to be heard together despite objections from Henderson’s team. Sandilands, arriving in a Rolls-Royce, insists he wants to return to radio to boost ARN’s share price, while ARN’s barrister argues reinstatement is unlikely due to the 'utterly broken' relationship.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson were each on $100 million, 10-year contracts with ARN Media for The Kyle and Jackie O Show, totaling $200 million combined.
- Sandilands and Henderson were sacked in March 2026 after an on-air dispute in February 2026, where Sandilands accused Henderson of being 'off with the fairies' and criticized her work ethic.
- ARN Media is countersuing Sandilands and Henderson for breach of contract, lost advertising revenue, and legal costs, seeking millions in damages.
- Sandilands’ lawyer, Scott Robertson SC, argued that his client’s conduct was 'desired and monetized' under their contract, stating 'if you buy Kyle, you get Kyle'.
- Henderson’s lawyers allege Sandilands engaged in 'consistent and ongoing bullying' that left her 'psychologically unwell, defamed, and humiliated', and that ARN failed to protect her.
- The Federal Court hearing on April 24, 2026, tentatively scheduled the trials for October 12–23, 2026, with both cases to be heard together despite objections from Henderson’s legal team.
- Sandilands arrived at court in a Rolls-Royce Series 1 Phantom with the number plate KS20, worth up to $1 million.
- ARN alleges Sandilands made expletive-laden rants targeting executives, censors, and listeners, including calling ARN executives 'pussies' and threatening the Mad F---ing Witches activist group with private investigators.
- Henderson’s manager, Gemma O’Neill, stated in December 2025 that the bullying issue between Sandilands and Henderson was 'resolved', despite earlier complaints.
- ARN is seeking to claw back 87.92% of a $3 million signing bonus paid to Sandilands, totaling $2,637,732, due to alleged contract breaches.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Sandilands described the case as 'pretty ugly' and said he wanted to return to radio to 'get the share price back up' for ARN Media.
- Henderson’s barrister, Vanja Bulut, argued that the cases should not be heard together to avoid putting Henderson in the same 'enclosed space' as Sandilands, citing 'significant psychological harm'.
- Sandilands’ lawyer argued that his client’s contract included an 'immunity' for his conduct, which was 'desired and monetized'.
- Sandilands’ lawyer, Scott Robertson SC, stated that while the conduct was 'not nice', it did not amount to 'serious misconduct' under the contract.
- Sandilands arrived at court in a Rolls-Royce and called the legal battle 'pretty ugly', emphasizing he wanted to return to radio.
- ARN’s defence included allegations that Sandilands called the Mad F---ing Witches group 'dangerous lunatics' and threatened to use private investigators to find dirt on them.
- Sandilands called ARN’s defence a 'kitchen sink defence' and accused ARN of delaying his case.
- Henderson’s lawyers sent a letter to ARN stating she was 'psychologically unwell' and 'defamed' due to Sandilands’ bullying, and that she could no longer work with him.
- Sandilands allegedly said on air in September 2025, 'I’ve been carrying the whole show for a f---ing year ... I’m just left here with a limp dick in my hand.'
- Jennie Hill, founder of Mad F---ing Witches, filed a complaint with Victoria Police over threats made by Sandilands against the group, though no criminal offences were detected.
- ARN’s defence included a letter from Henderson’s lawyers stating she was 'attacked and bullied on live prime time radio' and that ARN failed to address the issue.
- Sandilands allegedly said on air, 'You can suck my dick' to Melbourne listeners who were not tuning in at expected rates.
- ARN argued that Henderson’s company was responsible for her health and safety, and that ARN had 'no ability or power' to stop Sandilands’ bullying on air.
- ARN claimed it had 'no ability or powers' to stop Sandilands from bullying Henderson on air, arguing her company was responsible for her safety.
- Sandilands’ lawyer argued that his client’s role as a 'dominant and abrasive personality' was 'congruent' with the character ARN desired.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian and SMH report that Sandilands was sacked in March 2026, but the ABC and The Age mention the termination occurred 'last month' (likely March 2026) without specifying the exact date.
- ARN’s defence claims Sandilands’ conduct was 'serious misconduct', while Sandilands’ lawyer argues it was 'desired and monetized' under the contract, with no clear consensus on whether it met the threshold for termination.
- Henderson’s lawyers allege ARN failed to investigate her bullying complaints, but ARN’s internal emails show Henderson’s manager stated the issue was 'resolved' in December 2025, contradicting the claim of ongoing failure to act.
- Sandilands claims he was wrongfully sacked and wants to return to radio, while ARN’s barrister describes the relationship as 'utterly broken down' and says reinstatement is 'close to hopeless'.
- The ABC and SMH report that Sandilands and Henderson have not spoken since February 2026, but Sandilands tells reporters he has not spoken to Henderson, implying a lack of communication without confirming the duration.
Source Articles
‘If you buy Kyle, you get Kyle’: Sandilands’ lawyer defends sacked Kiis FM shock jock in Sydney court
Radio presenter arrives by Rolls-Royce for case management hearing into allegations he breached his radio contract Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Kyle Sandilands’ conduct may not be “nice” but “if you buy Kyle, you get Kyle”, the federal court has heard in a high-profile legal fight the sacked shock jock describes as “pretty ugly”. Sandilands’ barrister, Scott Robertson SC, has told the court the allegations abo
KIIS turns tables on Kyle and Jackie O, sues pair for millions
The radio station has filed a letter with the Federal Court from Jackie “O” Henderson’s lawyers alleging Kyle Sandilands systematically bullied her as it defends contract claims from both stars.
Kyle Sandilands vows 'truth will raise its head' in case against ex-employer
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson have separately launched legal proceedings following the termination of their $100 million contracts.
Kyle slams Jackie O’s ‘bullshit’ legal strategy as chances of KIIS return dwindle
Kyle Sandilands erupted outside court, after his bid for an expedited trial was scotched, and the judge signalled it was highly unlikely he would order KIIS to take him back on air.
KIIS turns tables on Kyle and Jackie O, sues pair for millions
The radio station has filed a letter with the Federal Court from Jackie “O” Henderson’s lawyers alleging Kyle Sandilands systematically bullied her as it defends contract claims from both stars.
Kyle Sandilands repeatedly bullied colleagues, countersuit alleges
The company that broadcast the Kyle and Jackie O Show has launched a counter claim against the duo seeking damages for breach of contract, losses in profit and advertising revenue, and legal costs.
Kyle and Jackie O are finished, but The Kyle Show is just starting in court
The lewd shock jock is determined to be front and centre of an escalating legal battle involving his former studio partner and their erstwhile employers, ARN.
‘No power’: Network’s stunning Kyle defence
Kyle and Jackie O’s former network has filed its defence after the two stars sued the network, with the company making one big claim about bullying allegations.
Witches founder goes to police over Sandilands’ remarks
ARN Media is not the only group unhappy with Kyle Sandilands, who said he could “get nasty” with the Witches activist group that campaigned against his show.
Kyle Sandilands berated Kiis FM listeners and bosses in expletive-laden rants, court documents claim
Radio company ARN’s defence alleges the shock jock denigrated executives, censors, critics and the audience of the Kyle and Jackie O Show Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free weekly media newsletter here Kyle Sandilands repeatedly berated Kiis FM executives, the radio station’s censors, critics of the Kyle and Jackie O Show and the Melbourne audience in expletive-laden rants, according to federal court documents. The details of the alleged
Witches founder goes to police over Sandilands’ remarks
ARN Media is not the only group unhappy with Kyle Sandilands, who said he could “get nasty” with the Witches activist group that campaigned against his show.
More Business stories
Jetstar introduces new carry-on baggage fees and size restrictions from 2027
ABC retracts Four Corners episodes by sacked reporter Mahmood Fazal over accuracy concerns
NSW government announces partial Sydney toll road price reductions and reforms
CFMEU corruption inquiry implicates Mick Gatto in labour hire schemes and tax evasion
Australia considers first new oil refinery in decades amid fuel security crisis
Melbourne businessman convicted of rape after three-week trial
Latest cross-verified stories
Sydney Swans players linked to sexual assault allegations and club sanctions
Australia vs Bangladesh Test series in 2026, featuring historic upsets and batting struggles
Ukraine targets Wildberries warehouses and Russian infrastructure with drone strikes amid escalating war
Meta trial over social media addiction in children begins in California
Prince Harry and others ordered to pay legal costs to Daily Mail publisher after losing privacy lawsuit
Mass bird deaths linked to H5 bird flu in Australia’s southern states
Browse all stories from April 2026 in the archive.