Kyle and Jackie legal diagnosis: Does ARN have a case to terminate?

Lawyers consulted by Mumbrella on ARN’s attempt to terminate its contract with Kyle Sandilands say it’s not obvious the shock jock is guilty of “serious misconduct”. Because the case doesn’t seem to fall into definitions of workplace bullying, it is likely ARN’s claim is that Sandilands has instead breached his services agreement.

“One contention that Kyle Sandilands could put forward is that there was no breach. Because it wasn’t premeditated. It wasn’t misconduct that he planned.”

The Kyle and Jackie O show is no more, with Jackie Henderson giving notice on Tuesday that she “cannot continue to work” with Kyle Sandilands, and ARN therefore terminating its agreement with her umbrella company Henderson Media.

The most shocking revelation from Tuesday evening’s ASX filing is that ARN is also looking to terminate Sandilands’ ten-year, $100m contract due to an alleged breach of the services agreement, and has pulled him off air, “effective immediately”.

ARN told the market it has provided written notice to Sandilands and his contracting entity Quasar Media Services “stating that it considers that Mr Sandilands’ behaviour during the show on 20 February 2026 is an act of serious misconduct which is in breach of ARN’s services agreement with Quasar Media.”

Be a member to keep reading

Join Mumbrella Pro to access the Mumbrella archive and read our premium analysis of everything under the media and marketing umbrella.

Become a member

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

"*" indicates required fields

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.