Karl Stefanovic Leaves Channel Nine After 21 Years

By Michael Black

By Phoebe Pin

Topic: Media

Friday, June 26, 2026, at 6:13 am

In short:

Karl Stefanovic will leave Channel Nine after a controversial interview with Tommy Robinson.

Channel Nine confirmed they would part ways with Stefanovic immediately.

What's next?

Nine will reveal future plans for the Today show soon.

Karl Stefanovic is leaving Channel Nine, effective immediately.

This follows an interview with far-right extremist Tommy Robinson on Stefanovic's podcast.

The announcement was made to Nine staff via email this morning.

Fiona Dear, Nine's executive director for news, said the situation was challenging.

Protecting freedom of speech is at the core of 9News and Current Affairs.

Journalists have an obligation to ask difficult questions and interview controversial figures.

Part of what makes us tick is trying to understand why people think the way they do.

We welcome open debate and challenging norms with constructive arguments.

As journalists, we question, challenge, and hold people to account.

Plans for the Today show will be shared very soon.

Karl Stefanovic will part ways with Channel Nine.

Stefanovic's response

Stefanovic thanked the Today show audience for their support and said he would contact his colleagues privately.

The last couple of days were tough, but we move on.

The public deserves to hear different perspectives.

On my show, I've spoken to people with different views.

Sometimes I agree with guests, and sometimes I don't.

You have the right to hear from different voices and make up your own mind.

Freedom of speech is what this show is about.

Stefanovic has not made plans for the future.

He will figure it out.

Tough day

The Today program addressed Karl Stefanovic's departure.

Karl will not be returning to the Today show or to Nine.

Sarah Abo became emotional during the announcement.

This is a huge change for our viewers.

Karl's presence will be missed.

Karl Stefanovic is leaving Channel Nine after a 20-year career.

Stefanovic has been at the network for 26 years and co-hosted the Today show since 2005.

The Today show reaches hundreds of thousands of viewers every morning.

Stefanovic is known for his laid-back persona and ability to deliver hard news.

He won a Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality in 2006.

His approach to interviewing Tommy Robinson will see him leave the Nine network.

Political leaders react to Stefanovic's departure

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Nine's decision as consequential.

Words do matter, and prominent people's actions matter.

This is a matter for Nine and unfortunate for Stefanovic's career.

Karl Stefanovic must think about his actions and decisions.

Nine made a consequential decision.

Chris Minns criticized Karl Stefanovic's choice to interview Tommy Robinson.

Minns reacted to Stefanovic's departure on ABC Radio National.

I like Karl, but his choice of guest was strange.

Nine knew what they had when they employed him and gave him contracts.

The rise of the populist right is a global issue.

We must explain what we like about liberal democracies and what needs to change.

Stefanovic can't live a dual life

Stefanovic's podcast featured right-wing guests, including Pauline Hanson and Tommy Robinson.

Tommy Robinson is a divisive anti-immigration voice with convictions and jail time.

Stefanovic did not endorse Robinson's views but admired his tenacity and courage.

The interview was supportive of Robinson and not critical of his views.

Andrew Dodd, a journalism professor, says the interview was part of Robinson's propaganda machine.

This is not acceptable to Channel Nine.

Stefanovic is calling for new advertisers for his independent podcast.

Professor Dodd says this could be a worrying sign for the Australian media.

In a big market like the US, you can find advertisers who support right-wing podcasting.

Our market is smaller, and it's less clear if this will be the case here.

This kind of media is not healthy in Australia.

Friday, June 26, 2026, at 6:13 am

Friday, June 26, 2026, at 10:54 am

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