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Karl Stefanovic could be in trouble with Nine management after his friend Kyle Sandilands claimed the Today host told him the network was struggling with revenue.
Speaking at ARN’s 2026 Upfronts showcase on Wednesday night, the KIIS FM shock-jock told a crowd of advertisers and analysts that Today show co-host Stefanovic had confided that Nine was losing clients after the departure of its former sales boss Michael ‘Stevo’ Stephenson.
Stephenson left Nine earlier this year after missing out on the CEO role, taking up the top job at ARN, which owns KIIS FM.
According to Mumbrella, Sandilands told the audience: ‘Stefanovic said, ‘We’re f***ed over here, bro, without Stevo. Stevo’s taken all the f***ing clients to radio.’
Perhaps coincidentally, Nine’s shares had dipped three cents to $1.15 by Thursday, down from $1.18 the previous day, and well below September’s high of $1.76.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Nine and ARN for comment.
Karl Stefanovic (right) could be in trouble with Nine management after his friend Kyle Sandilands (left) claimed the Today host told him the network was struggling with revenue
It comes amid rumblings of a major shakeup at the Today show, with rumours swirling that Sarah Abo could be replaced by Samantha Armytage.
According to The Australian, Nine is banking on the ‘Armytage effect’ which saw Sunrise score a ratings victory when Armytage joined the program in 2013.
Armytage left Sunrise in 2021 and has gone on to helm Farmer Wants A Wife and the upcoming Golden Bachelor.
Nine CEO Matt Stanton did little to dispel the chatter regarding Abo’s future at Today, giving The Australian a coy response when asked if Armytage was stepping into the role alongside Stefanovic.
‘I don’t know. I’m not into that level to be honest, I haven’t seen that level of detail,’ Stanton told the publication this week.
Meanwhile, Abo has reportedly hired celebrity accountant Anthony Bell to handle contract negotiations.
According to sources, Abo and her co-host Stefanovic haven’t signed their contracts yet but the ‘deal is all but done’.
Abo currently makes $800,000 a year, according to Mediaweek, while Stefanovic landed himself a $3 million per year contract.
It comes amid rumblings of a major shakeup at the Today show, with rumours swirling that Sarah Abo (pictured) could be replaced by Samantha Armytage
The TV presenter has hired celebrity accountant Anthony Bell to assist with her contract negotiations, Sunday Confidential has reported. (Pictured: Bell and his wife Annika)
