Kyle Sandilands' $100m Contract Revealed in Legal Battle with Kiis FM
The shock jock is suing ARN Media after it tore up his contract over his on-air behaviour towards co-host Jackie O. The federal court lifted a restriction on access to Kyle Sandilands' full $100m contract, offering a rare glimpse into the extraordinary deal between the radio personality and the broadcaster Kiis FM.
Contract Details Exposed
The deal, which lies in tatters after ARN Media terminated it and alleged Sandilands breached his contract by repeatedly berating colleagues including Jackie "O" Henderson and the audience on air, includes numerous perks. Sandilands is suing to be paid the remaining $85m after being taken off air just over a year into the 10-year agreement.
Highlights of the confidential exhibit reveal that Sandilands demanded a car parking space at the Kiis FM studio in North Sydney. When broadcasting from Melbourne, he expected airport transfers in a Mercedes Sprinter. Return business air fares and a suite at a five-star hotel were mandatory, on top of a flight allowance of $120,000 a year payable at $10,000 a month.
News Content Restrictions
Sandilands was very particular about news content on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, described as "not a news program". He would not be made to read news reports, and the company promised not to increase the program's news content. However, the presenter could "provide his response and opinion on news content aired during the program".
For an annual payment of $7.4m in cash, a consultancy fee of $200,000, and $500,000 contra air time, Sandilands was required to provide live programs, "best of" programs, 797 live reads, comedy segments, public appearances, pre-recorded commercials, and social media posts.
Audit Rights and Performance Bonuses
Sandilands had the right to audit the radio station's books to determine if he was owed bonuses based on performance. If Henderson negotiated an improvement of her terms, Sandilands had to be informed. ARN insisted he broadcast from the Sydney studio or a location with broadcast-quality sound, and he had to give the company seven days' notice of international travel.
If any programming was "defective", Sandilands had to redo it, and he had to pre-record 10 "emergency programs" a year in case of illness. He had to meet all applicable industry, professional, and quality standards, and the company would provide a censor to operate a 30-second dump button. The document was signed before the show once again breached decency rules in 2025 by broadcasting explicit sexual content.
Justice Angus Stewart set a date for a 10-day hearing in October.
Sandilands Teases New Project
Sandilands, who loves the limelight as evidenced by his theatrical court arrivals in a Rolls-Royce, teased a new project on Instagram on Thursday. He told fans he was "coming back, bigger than ever" but did not provide details about the platform or format. "Don't tell anyone, but I'm working on a new project, and all will be revealed soon," he said. "Thank you for your prayers – coming back guys, bigger than ever hopefully … actually not fatter."
