Karl Stefanovic's firing from Nine's Today show after controversial Tommy Robinson podcast interview
Consensus Summary
Karl Stefanovic was fired from Nine’s Today show on June 25, 2026, after a controversial podcast interview with far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which was deleted within hours. Billionaire James Packer, a longtime friend and former Nine owner, defended Stefanovic, calling the interview 'not that bad,' while Nine executives cited cumulative issues with his podcast and behavior. Stefanovic’s interview with Robinson included a preview video where he called British PM Keir Starmer a 'wanker' and embraced Robinson, angering Nine’s leadership. The firing follows Stefanovic’s apology for a COVID-19 vaccine campaign, a soft interview with anti-vaccine advocate Pete Evans, and a public feud with ABC’s Media Watch over neurosurgeon Charlie Teo. Activist group Mad F---ing Witches had planned a boycott campaign, but Stefanovic’s departure may instead fuel free speech debates, with supporters like Nationals senator Matt Canavan criticizing the move. Stefanovic’s future includes an independent podcast, while his radio show with Eddie McGuire was canceled. Nine reportedly offered no severance, framing the departure as performance-related rather than a free speech issue.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Billionaire James Packer defended Karl Stefanovic, saying 'I didn’t think it was that bad' about the Tommy Robinson podcast interview
- Karl Stefanovic's hour-long interview with Tommy Robinson was deleted from Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Instagram less than 12 hours after release (June 25, 2026)
- Stefanovic called outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer a 'wanker' in a preview video of the Robinson interview
- Nine executives finalized Stefanovic’s departure on June 25, 2026, ending his near two-decade run hosting Today
- Stefanovic reportedly earned more than $2 million annually from Nine before his departure
- Stefanovic pulled out of his scheduled radio show appearance with Eddie McGuire on June 27, 2026, on Gold and Nine’s platforms
- Tommy Robinson is a former member of the British National Party and co-founder of the English Defence League, an anti-Islam movement
- Stefanovic joined Today in 2005 alongside Tracy Grimshaw and returned as co-host in 2020 after a 2018 departure due to poor ratings and personal scrutiny
- Nine agreed to allow Stefanovic to pursue an independent podcast as part of a 2026 pay-cut deal
- Stefanovic was photographed wearing a cap with the words 'Zero f---s' last month (June 2026) and issued an abusive statement to ABC’s Media Watch about neurosurgeon Charlie Teo
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Nine executives resolved on Wednesday afternoon (June 24, 2026) that Stefanovic had to go, with negotiations ongoing with his legal team while he was in London
- Stefanovic stayed at Packer’s multimillion-dollar Bondi apartment in 2016 after his separation and has spent time on Packer’s luxury yacht, IJE
- Stefanovic’s apology in March 2026 for participating in Nine’s COVID-19 vaccine campaign angered management
- Stefanovic’s interview with controversial former TV chef Pete Evans was criticized for being 'too soft' and mainstream media would 'never do this interview'
- The activist group Mad F---ing Witches was preparing a campaign titled #KancelKarl, which previously pressured Nine over Alan Jones and ARN over Kyle Sandilands
- Nationals senator Matt Canavan called Stefanovic’s firing a 'win for the thought police' and said journalists should 'not lose their jobs for talking to someone'
- 2GB host Ben Fordham (former Nine employee) questioned whether Stefanovic was sacked due to activist threats, poor Today show ratings, or his successful podcast
- Former Nationals leader David Littleproud suggested Stefanovic’s contract had provisions around acceptable behavior outside work
- Sources familiar with the talks said Nine planned to make no payout to Stefanovic to end his contract and were confident he would not return to its screens
- Nine planned to issue a statement emphasizing Stefanovic’s departure was due to cumulative problems caused by his podcast, not free speech issues
- Stefanovic recorded an interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan in London and may now be in Cannes
- Piers Morgan previously called Robinson’s social media activity 'bashing Islam and Muslims' and warned Stefanovic sounded like a 'bigoted lunatic' in an earlier interview
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The SMH states Stefanovic was in London during negotiations, while The Age mentions he may now be in Cannes, with no confirmation of his exact location during talks
- The SMH implies Nine’s statement will focus on cumulative podcast issues, while The Age explicitly states Nine planned to emphasize this in a future statement, with no confirmation it was released
Source Articles
‘I didn’t think it was that bad’: Billionaire James Packer defends Karl Stefanovic
Nine executives have spent much of Thursday finalising the terms of the Today host’s departure from the network.
‘I didn’t think it was that bad’: Billionaire James Packer defends Karl Stefanovic
Nine executives have spent much of Thursday finalising the terms of the Today host’s departure from the network.