ARN denies Kyle’s claim network has ‘signed’ Dr Chris Brown as replacement

The owner of KIIS FM has denied claims from Kyle Sandilands that Bondi Vet Chris Brown will replace the deposed shock jock.

Sandilands made the claim that Dr Brown would be his replacement on Sunday, appearing to get a tip-off during his new subscriber-based broadcast.

A spokeswoman for ARN Media, owner of Sandilands’ former home KIIS FM, denied the claim.

“Incorrect. We haven’t signed him,” the spokeswoman said.

Asked if the network was in discussions with Brown, the spokeswoman was less definitive: “We’re not commenting on any of the speculation. We’ll let you know when we have something to share.”

Speaking on the Sunday episode of his new show, Sandilands made the claim the well-known veterinarian and presenter must have soured on his contact with Seven West Media, which owns ARN rival Southern Cross Austereo.

“I’ve got an announcement to make. A little sneaky bit of information I’ve got,” Sandilands said.

“They’ve just signed Dr Chris Brown to replace me over at KIIS.”

Asked by a co-host how he knew, Sandilands said he knows “everything that happens in radio”.

Sandilands claimed in June that he had been working with One Nation and Pauline Hanson, advising the party on how to get its messaging across.

One Nation chief of staff James Ashby was “not at all” working with the party in any official or unofficial capacity.

This first week of Sandilands’ new show was tainted by technical issues.

Monday’s debut was glitchy as the podcast audio and video repeatedly cut out. Friday’s four-hour show barely made it two hours, with persistent issues forcing producers to pull up stumps early.

On Sunday, after making the claim about his replacement at KIIS, Sandilands complimented the staff holding down the fort at KIIS since his and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson’s on-air breakdown.

But he had a crack at the prospect of Dr Brown replacing him.

“Now, I like Dr Chris Brown, but this whole show is a flop from before you even start.

“Chris Brown polls favourably amongst those that are stupid enough to answer any questions, like polls.

“No one has a bad opinion of Dr Chris Brown, but no one’s going to tune in to listen either.”

Sandilands conceded he did not have any more information about the supposed replacement deal at KIIS.

In June, Sandilands settled a lawsuit he brought against ARN after the network suspended him and terminated his $100m contract.

ARN agreed to pay $12.09m, with $3m upfront.

Sandilands and Henderson were dumped following an on-air clash in February, when Sandilands told Henderson she was “off with the fairies”, “unfocused” and that she did not “give a s***” in an attack which brought his longtime co-host to tears.

Henderson is also suing ARN for unlawful dismissal. That case is ongoing.