{"id":697644,"date":"2026-05-27T10:12:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T10:12:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/697644\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T10:12:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T10:12:21","slug":"major-karl-stefanovic-problem-revealed-as-channel-9-faces-months-long-dilemma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/697644\/","title":{"rendered":"Major Karl Stefanovic problem revealed as Channel 9 faces months-long dilemma"},"content":{"rendered":"

Karl Stefanovic<\/a> has been accused of ruining Channel 9’s<\/a> credibility due to his new venture, which has become his biggest priority outside his Today show commitments<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s only been a few months since the TV star<\/a> waded into the podcast world with his namesake show, and he\u2019s done more than 50 episodes<\/a> covering a range of topics close to his heart.<\/p>\n

But the guests whom he\u2019s invited have raised a few eyebrows as they typically land on the right side of politics, including Pauline Hanson, Matt Canavan, Gerard Rennick, Barnaby Joyce, Clive Palmer, Jacinta Price, Tony Abbott, and Bob Katter.<\/p>\n

The only politician on the left has been Anthony Albanese<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Media commentator Andrew Mercado told Yahoo Lifestyle that going down the right-wing rabbit hole could have greater implications.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

\u201cIf he keeps doing that podcast with right-wing figures, he is actually damaging the credibility of [Today],\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to be seen as being neutral.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether or not he’s a right-winger or whether or not he’s realised that he can make more money interviewing right-wing figures, that podcast is positioning him as the Joe Rogan of Australia, or Joe Bogan, and that’s not a good look when you’re supposed to be a neutral host on the Today show.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew said there\u2019s \u201calways\u201d money to be made in \u201cwhipping up\u201d the right-wing crowd but found it a \u201cshame\u201d Karl appeared to be leaning that way.<\/p>\n

\"Andrew<\/p>\n

Andrew Mercado said Karl Stefanovic could ruin the Today show’s credibility if he keeps interviewing right-wing guests on his podcast.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com<\/p>\n

Karl\u2019s U-turn on COVID and apologises to controversial figures<\/p>\n

In addition to politicians, Karl has welcomed a range of well-known Aussies to discuss their lives and views on the country at the moment.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s had controversial surgeon Charlie Teo, chef Curtis Stone, shock jock Kyle Sandilands, an economist to discuss the budget, farmers, Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and iconic NRL coach Michael Maguire.<\/p>\n

His latest guest was disgraced former My Kitchen Rules judge Pete Evans.<\/p>\n

Some of Karl\u2019s listeners called it \u201cgross\u201d and \u201cdisappointing\u201d<\/a> to have someone like Pete on his show.<\/p>\n

They discussed the cookbook author and chef\u2019s \u201ccharacter assassination\u201d during COVID, and Karl personally apologised for contributing to the pile-on.<\/p>\n

In addition to peddling COVID misinformation, Pete was also fined thousands of dollars for selling a $15,000 Biocharger device<\/a> that claimed to address the virus; he was dropped by his book publisher for sharing an image on social media that included a symbol used by neo-Nazis<\/a>, and he also encouraged people to stare into the sun<\/a> without protection.<\/p>\n

During their chat, the Channel 9 star spoke about his regrets in pushing the vaccine during the height of the pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got it wrong. I personally believe I got it wrong,\u201d he told Pete.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can’t speak for everyone else out there, but legitimately I feel that I got it wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t the first time he\u2019s expressed this sentiment on his podcast, as he told Senator Gerard Rennick he was sorry for \u201cnot questioning the science\u201d and \u201cnot questioning the government mandates\u201d more.<\/p>\n

Senator Rennick was criticised during the pandemic for \u201cspreading misinformation and Covid-19 conspiracy theories\u201d, according to the Australian Press Council<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How does Channel 9 feel about Karl\u2019s podcast?<\/p>\n

Yahoo Lifestyle understands that Channel 9 views Karl\u2019s podcast as separate from its own editorial policies and standards, and that the 51-year-old is free to speak about whatever he likes on his own show.<\/p>\n

Karl\u2019s Channel 9 contract, which is rumoured to be worth at least $2 million, is set to expire at the end of the year.<\/p>\n

He recently announced he\u2019d be doing a weekly radio show<\/a> with Eddie McGuire<\/a>, which will also be hosted on Nine\u2019s 9Now streaming service and Stan.<\/p>\n

\"Karl<\/p>\n

Karl has been running his own podcast since January and has racked up more than 50 episodes.<\/p>\n

But there has been a lot of speculation that Karl could soon leave Today<\/a> after more than two decades.<\/p>\n

Andrew, who has worked in the media industry for decades and is a TV historian, said it would take something massive for Channel 9 to rip up Karl\u2019s contract early.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey’d probably want to keep him as long as they could,\u201d he told Yahoo Lifestyle.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut his podcast ultimately could damage that show. And if they start getting the feeling that what he’s doing in his private time is affecting the show, they will act.\u201d<\/p>\n

Considering Karl has whipped up more than 50 episodes of his podcast since late January, he could have 50 more controversial guests or hot takes over the coming months to test Channel 9\u2019s patience.<\/p>\n

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