Kyle Sandilands settles $12m lawsuit with ARN Media amid ongoing Jackie O legal battle
Consensus Summary
Kyle Sandilands has settled his wrongful termination lawsuit against ARN Media for $12.09 million, significantly less than the $85 million he initially sought. The agreement includes $1.5 million in advertising support for his new subscription-based online show, 'Kyle Sandilands Live,' and a 19.9% revenue share for ARN over three years. Sandilands is barred from competing radio stations for nine months, and the settlement resolves his claims while leaving Jackie 'O' Henderson’s separate $82.25 million lawsuit ongoing. The dispute arose after an on-air argument in February 2026 led to both being sacked from KIIS FM’s Breakfast Show, which had a combined contract value of $200 million over a decade. ARN’s share price surged nearly 30% following the announcement, reflecting relief over avoiding a costly trial. Henderson’s case focuses on alleged bullying and wrongful termination, with legal proceedings set for October 2026.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Kyle Sandilands settled his dispute with ARN Media for a $12.09 million cash payout, with $3 million payable in July and the balance monthly until June 2029.
- ARN Media agreed to provide $1.5 million in advertising services for Sandilands’ new media venture over three years as part of the settlement.
- Sandilands is barred from appearing on ARN Media’s direct competitors for nine months (until March 2027).
- ARN Media terminated Sandilands’ contract in mid-March 2026 after an on-air argument with Jackie 'O' Henderson in February 2026.
- Jackie 'O' Henderson’s separate legal action against ARN Media remains ongoing, with claims of at least $82.25 million in compensation.
- Sandilands and Henderson had a 25-year partnership on KIIS FM’s Breakfast Show.
- ARN Media’s share price rose nearly 30% after announcing the Sandilands settlement.
- Sandilands’ new venture is titled 'Kyle Sandilands Live,' a subscription-based live online show (audio and video) planned as a 6am breakfast product.
- ARN Media will receive 19.9% of revenue from Sandilands’ new venture for three years.
- Sandilands originally sought $85 million in compensation, while Henderson sought $82.25 million.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- ARN Media’s CEO, Michael Stephenson, stated the settlement brought certainty and allowed ARN to focus on a leaner operating model.
- Sandilands had told the court he wanted to return to KIIS FM, but the settlement severed all previous ties with the station.
- The legal stoush began after an on-air argument between Sandilands and Henderson, with Henderson taking immediate leave.
- The article mentions speculation about One Nation’s Victorian leadership, including Adam Giles and Aidan McLindon, with details about a fundraiser attended by figures like Gina Rinehart’s associates.
- The CBD (Canberra Business Digest) reports Sandilands’ new show will be 'uncensored' and live five days a week, targeting the same audience as his former FM radio show.
- The article notes KIIS FM’s breakfast ratings dropped 3.5% in Sydney and 0.4% in Melbourne after the show’s cancellation.
- The settlement was announced to the ASX on Wednesday morning, June 17, 2026.
- Sandilands’ lawyers argued his termination was invalid because Henderson’s contract had already been terminated, leaving no opportunity to remedy the alleged misconduct.
- Sandilands described the legal dispute as 'boring as hell' and 'daunting' but expressed happiness with the settlement, calling it worth '$15 million'.
- Economist Conrad Liveris predicted Henderson’s settlement could reach $20 million if she avoids litigation, citing emotional and workplace safety factors.
- Employment lawyer Fay Calderone called the revenue-sharing arrangement 'perplexing' given ARN’s public claims of misconduct by Sandilands.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian and SMH state Sandilands is barred from ARN’s competitors for nine months, while ABC specifies the ban lasts until March 2027 (a discrepancy in phrasing but consistent in duration).
- The Age mentions Sandilands’ new show will be 'uncensored,' but this detail is not explicitly confirmed in other sources beyond speculation.
- The Guardian and SMH report the settlement was announced on June 17, 2026, while The Age’s article was published on June 15, 2026, suggesting a timeline discrepancy in reporting.
Source Articles
Kyle Sandilands settles with former radio station for $12m and a helping hand with new media venture
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