‘Wrapped up soon’: Kyle Sandilands prepares to return to radio without Jackie O amid settlement talks
Kyle Sandilands $100 million contract being terminated has taken Australia by storm and now there has been another twist.
Kyle Sandilands is edging closer to settling with ARN and getting back on-air just over a month after he was terminated from the network.
A source told news.com.au the shock jock’s $100 million fallout with the network could be resolved in a matter of weeks with Kyle close to settling with his former employer.
“It will all be wrapped up soon,” the source claimed.
“It will end up just sorting itself out, and it will take two to three weeks max.”
Despite the fact that a legal battle has well and truly begun, with both parties set to return to court Friday, the source explained that Kyle is actually keen to resolve the matter out of court.
The source said negotiations are now “moving pretty quickly” and that the possibility Kyle returning to KIIS to host the breakfast show – without his on-air partner of 25 years Jackie “O” Henderson – could even be on the table.
“He would go back, yeah,” the source said.
“ARN has bitten off more than they can chew, and there are no hard feelings; it is just business, and there is a lot we can all learn from this.”
Kyle Sandilands has made it clear he is just desperate to get back to doing radio. Picture: Adam Yip
Jackie O’s contract was also terminated from ARN, and she’s launched a separate legal case. Picture: MediaMode
Having launched legal action against ARN last month, Kyle is currently claiming that the termination of his contract was “invalid” and has made it clear he wants to get back on the radio.
The broadcaster, in turn, has stood by the termination and accused the shock jock of “serious misconduct”, thereby breaching his $10 million-a-year contract and giving the broadcaster grounds to terminate.
There’s a lot going on, and over $80 million dollars on the line, but the Kyle is prepared to put all of that aside if it means he can get back on air.
The source explained that Kyle’s big lesson in the mess is that he needs to be more “connected with commercial elements of the business” going forward.
At this point, it is unclear whether Kyle would accept less money to return to the airwaves or whether he expects his $10 million-a-year deal to stand.
Kyle’s made it no secret that he wants to get back to the airwaves. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short
Kyle and Jackie were on-air partners for over 20 years. Picture: Commercial Radio Hall of Fame
Where his longtime former co-host Jackie fits into all this, the source said, largely remains a mystery to Kyle.
Jackie is running her own case against ARN, seeking “at least” $82 million in compensation after her 10-year contract was also torn up by the broadcaster in March.
It followed the now-infamous on-air spat about astrology and star signs between Kyle and Jackie on the 20th of February.
According to the source, Kyle “does not know” whether Jackie’s considering settling with her former employer.
The source stressed that the pair remain on good terms, but are not sharing with each other their legal moves amid their two separate cases.
Kyle just wants to get back on-air and he will host a show without Jackie if he has too. Picture: Thomas Lisson
Kyle and Jackie’s breakfast show was number one in Sydney when their show was canned. Picture: Supplied
What is crystal clear to Kyle, though, is that he wants to get back on-air, and he is prepared to do it without Jackie.
The big name that is being tossed around as Jackie’s replacement is Bachelorette alum and Aussie golden girl Sophie Monk.
There’s also whispers that the The Project alum Georgie Tunny, who is doing a guest spot in the breakfast slot this week with Mike-E, could be a contender.
Seven alum Samantha Armytage’s name has also been thrown out there, but again, nothing has been firmed up.
At this point, there seem to be many conversations, but no actual deals are being closed. ARN also hasn’t rushed to fill the giant Kyle and Jackie O hole in its breakfast line-up. Right now, Mike E is holding the fort while they plan their next move.
But could that move be bringing Kyle back? And if the broadcaster does, would Georgie, Sam, or Sophie be a fitting replacement for Jackie?
Would one of these ladies be Kyle’s co-host if he were to comeback? At this point, Kyle’s
prepared to work out those details later.
“If there is someone that is obvious – great, but the show could work solo,” the source explained.
Source: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/radio/wrapped-up-soon-kyle-sandilands-prepares-to-return-to-radio-without-jackie-o-amid-settlement-talks/news-story/e4201239dfa62c8470925e7423723171