As Kyle Sandilands’ blockbuster legal stoush with the Australian Radio Network (ARN) heads to Federal Court, it seems the shock jock is winning hearts and minds over at Channel Seven.
Sandilands is currently a judge on Australian Idol, a position he has held for eight seasons.
Amid the controversy with ARN, insiders say that the impression that he has left at Seven lately could lead to a much bigger future with the network.
The controversial radio king, 53, has been on his ‘best behaviour’ behind the scenes of Idol this season, with producers reportedly impressed by a softer, more considered version of the star.
‘He’s been fantastic,’ a well-placed source told Daily Mail.
‘Kyle is showing up, doing the work and really leaning into the show.’
As Kyle Sandilands’ blockbuster legal stoush with the Australian Radio Network (ARN) heads to Federal Court, it seems the shock jock is winning hearts and minds over at Channel Seven
According to insiders, Seven executives have been ‘thrilled’ with his energy this season, noting that he’s not trying to reinvent himself.
He is just refining the version of Sandilands that works for mainstream audiences.
‘He’s not phoning it in and he’s not pretending to be something he’s not,’ the source added.
‘He’s still Kyle, just the version that Seven really likes.’
There’s even been talk that the door is now wide open for more Idol and potentially other opportunities within the network.
‘He’s doing a great job of ‘singing for his supper’ right now,’ another insider added. ‘And the network has definitely noticed.’
But it’s not just Seven West Media executives in charge, with Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) – Sandilands’ former employer – now the owner of the network.
SCA completed its blockbuster acquisition of Seven West Media in January, creating a combined media powerhouse reportedly valued at $2billion.
Sandilands is currently a judge on Australian Idol, a position he has held for eight seasons. Amid the controversy with ARN, insiders say that the impression that he has left at Seven lately could lead to a much bigger future with the network
‘He’s been fantastic,’ a well-placed source told Daily Mail. ‘Kyle is showing up, doing the work and really leaning into the show’
The development is particularly significant given SCA was once Sandilands’ former employer, back when he and co-host Jackie O Henderson dominated the airwaves under the Austereo banner at 2Day FM.
Sandilands and Henderson famously exited the network in 2013 to join ARN in a record-breaking deal, but their exit did not come without friction.
At the time, Kyle made it clear he felt undervalued by his former bosses.
‘I didn’t feel like we were wanted there anymore,’ he told the Sunday Telegraph following the split. ‘We weren’t appreciated the way we should have been.’
He also hinted that respect, not just money, played a major role in the decision.
‘It wasn’t just about the deal. It was about respect,’ Kyle added.
Now, more than a decade later, the media landscape has dramatically shifted and so too has Kyle.
‘Never say never with Kyle,’ another source said.
‘He’s not phoning it in and he’s not pretending to be something he’s not,’ the source added. ‘He’s still Kyle, just the version that Seven really likes.’ (Sandilands is pictured with fellow Idol judges Marcia Hines and Amy Shark)
But it’s not just Seven West Media executives in charge, with Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) – Sandilands’ former employer – now the owner of the network
‘The industry’s changed, the players have changed, and he’s in a very different headspace now.’
For Seven, however, the immediate focus remains on capitalising on Kyle’s renewed momentum.
With Australian Idol continuing to build traction, executives are said to be seriously considering how to keep him in the fold.
‘He’s proving he can play the game,’ the source added.
‘And that’s exactly what networks want.’
Sandilands joined Idol in 2005, replacing original judge Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson, when the popular reality series was broadcast on Channel Ten.
He stayed in the role until 2009, when he was sacked by Channel Ten just prior to the series premiere.
The network said at the time that content aired on The Kyle & Jackie O Show was not compatible with the Idol audience.
With Australian Idol continuing to build traction, executives are said to be seriously considering how to keep him in the fold. ‘He’s proving he can play the game,’ the source added. ‘And that’s exactly what networks want.’
Sandilands rejoined Idol in 2023 when it was revived by Seven after a 14-year hiatus, and he has been in the role ever since.
Meanwhile, Sandilands commenced action in the Federal Court on Friday, alleging that ARN deliberately sabotaged his $100million contract.
He claimed that the altercation with Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, which led to his dismissal and the axing of The Kyle & Jackie O Show, could not constitute serious misconduct, as such behaviour had been encouraged by his employer.
The pair’s 25-year broadcasting partnership imploded on February 20 when Sandilands slammed Henderson over what he described as her ‘fixation’ with astrology.
ARN is reportedly hoping to bring back Henderson at a much lower rate with a new program, after the network also terminated her own $100million deal last month.
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