A veteran broadcaster has warned that Karl Stefanovic has an uphill battle ahead when it comes to earning big bucks on his podcast.
The former Today star, who left the Nine network late last month after backlash over his controversial interview with far-right activist Tommy Robinson, is forging ahead with his The Karl Stefanovic Show on YouTube.
But radio legend Ray Hadley, 71, who rose to fame presenting his own show on 2GB, believes that without the support of a major radio or television network, Karl could struggle to earn the paycheques he is accustomed to after 21 years on the air.
Referring to both Stefanovic and shock jock Kyle Sandilands, who was recently punted from radio network ARN, Hadley offered a friendly warning.
‘The success they have enjoyed has been on mainstream media in TV and radio. Given they aren’t on those platforms anymore, I think it’s going to be difficult,’ Hadley told The Daily Telegraph.
‘There are certain challenges and it is going to be hard without the support of the radio and TV networks.’
A veteran broadcaster has warned that Karl Stefanovic has an uphill battle when it comes to earning big bucks on his podcast. Karl pictured with wife Jasmine
While the radio stalwart said success in the podcast sphere was ‘not impossible’, it was also unlikely, even for big-name stars.
‘The majority don’t make much money at all,’ Hadley said, listing a barrage of expenses podcasts incur, including overseas travel, accommodation, equipment and production crews.
Not everyone agrees that Karl’s independent podcast won’t be a money spinner in the long run.
During a chat with fellow divisive journalist Piers Morgan on The Karl Stefanovic Show last week, Stefanovic was advised that he could make tens of millions, if not much more, if he broadened his appeal and built a network of podcasts and offshoot channels.
Morgan encouraged Stefanovic to embrace his independence and increase his profile internationally, as well as establish a series of side-ventures in the social media space.
In following this model, Morgan told Stefanovic that he himself has made $150 million in the past 18 months from his own media empire, and suggested that Karl could find the same success.
Meanwhile, the television host may have the last laugh, as the ratings for his podcast have skyrocketed since he was ousted from Channel Nine.
Just weeks after his dramatic departure from the network, the broadcaster, 51, has found a new following through his independent podcast, with viewers flocking to hear his headline-making interviews.
Radio legend Ray Hadley (pictured), who rose to fame presenting his own show on 2GB, believes that without the support of a major radio or television network, Karl could struggle to earn the paycheques he is accustomed to after 21 years on the air
During a chat with fellow divisive journalist Piers Morgan (left) on The Karl Stefanovic Show last week, Stefanovic was advised that he could make tens of millions, if not much more, if he broadened his appeal and built a network of podcasts and offshoot channels
The digital success comes just days after Daily Mail revealed Today had suffered one of its weakest ratings weeks in years following Stefanovic’s departure, with rival Sunrise widening its lead in the breakfast television battle.
Stefanovic has barely been out of the news since his interview with Tommy Robinson sparked a chain of events that ultimately cost him both his role on Today and a newly announced ARN radio partnership alongside Eddie McGuire.
But Stefanovic appears to be forging a very different career path away from mainstream media.
His latest interview with Piers Morgan has attracted more than 320,000 views on YouTube in just a matter of days, while his growing channel has amassed around 172,000 subscribers as viewers follow his move into long-form digital content.
While YouTube views and OzTAM television ratings are not directly comparable, the strong online numbers suggest many viewers remain interested in Stefanovic’s next move, even as Today struggles to regain its footing.
Several recent interviews have comfortably surpassed the 200,000-view mark, suggesting there is strong curiosity surrounding Stefanovic’s next chapter.
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