ARN Media settles with Kyle Sandilands for $12 million

Australian radio broadcaster ARN Media has reached a financial settlement with former star host Kyle Sandilands, resolving one half of a high-profile legal dispute that erupted after the dramatic collapse of a lucrative on-air partnership. The company announced on Wednesday that it would pay Sandilands $12 million, with $3 million upfront and the remainder in instalments over three years, and provide $1.5 million in advertising services on its partner platforms.

The settlement averts a potentially costly trial and stems from the termination of Sandilands' contract earlier this year. The breakdown followed a heated on-air exchange in February between Sandilands and his longtime co-host, Jackie 'O' Henderson. During the broadcast, Sandilands made comments that Henderson found offensive, including accusing her of being "off with the fairies." Henderson subsequently informed ARN she could no longer work with him.

ARN, which owns the KIIS FM network, terminated both hosts' contracts. The pair had signed separate 10-year deals in late 2023, reportedly worth a combined $200 million. Following their dismissals, both Sandilands and Henderson launched separate lawsuits against the...