Insiders claim Karl Stefanovic’s self-funded show is booming, but the high-profile lineup and his new independence are making some Nine executives nervous.
Karl Stefanovic’s new step into podcasting is reportedly raising eyebrows among senior figures at the Nine Network, with claims his choice of headline-making and sometimes divisive guests has caused internal concern. The 51-year-old Today host launched the self-funded project in January, saying he wanted to “unleash his inner beast” through open, wide-ranging chats.
Since the launch, Stefanovic has hosted a string of prominent names, including One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, radio personality Kyle Sandilands, neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The audience has grown quickly, too, with The Karl Stefanovic podcast attracting more than 61,000 YouTube subscribers and 143,000 Instagram followers.
Despite that early momentum, an insider told New Idea the venture has put some network executives into “a state of pure panic”. “There’s been some high-stakes crisis meetings to discuss the trajectory of Karl’s podcast and vodcast venture, and what it means for Today,” the source claimed. The same insider suggested the biggest issue is the type of guests coming through the door, saying: “He (Karl) is building an ark … with some very opinionated guests boarding.”
The source also pointed to Stefanovic bankrolling the project himself as a sign he is operating with a new level of independence. “[It signals] a man willing to risk it all… Many of his mates believe he is no longer worried about what comes next. He’s just doing what he loves.”
Away from the cameras, Stefanovic is believed to have strong support from those closest to him, including his wife Jasmine. Jasmine’s friend, marketing expert Keshnee Kemp, is also understood to have been central to getting the podcast off the ground. Kemp, who runs digital marketing agency August One, said on Instagram the concept had been building “for years” before it became a reality.
“This partnership with Karlos started first as a conversation on holidays – with an idea that’s been in his brain for years,” Kemp wrote when the series launched. “He absolutely loves people – talking to people and bringing out the nuances and very human experience of their stories. We decided to do it together.” She added: “I’m really proud of what we have coming. We’ve given and will continue to give it everything because we absolutely love this s**.”
The reports of internal concern also follow Stefanovic’s recent comments about his involvement in the network’s Covid-era vaccine campaign. In an interview with former Liberal senator Gerard Rennick, he said: “I have regrets from that time, and I am definitely sorry for the role I played in not questioning the science, in not questioning more the government mandates. I feel like I isolated people because of that, and I don’t think the media should be involved in that kind of messaging.”
Stefanovic said he now believes the media should have approached the pandemic differently, arguing journalists “should’ve been there to offer some sort of education” rather than becoming part of the messaging.
