The federal court has lifted a restriction on access to Kyle Sandilands' full $100m contract, offering a rare glimpse into the extraordinary deal between the shock jock and broadcaster Kiis FM. The contract has since been torn up by ARN Media, which alleged Sandilands breached his agreement by repeatedly berating colleagues, including co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson, and the audience on air.
Sandilands is now suing ARN Media for the remaining $85m after being taken off air just over a year into the 10-year deal. The contract reveals extensive perks, including a car parking space at the North Sydney studio and, when broadcasting from Melbourne, airport transfers in a Mercedes Sprinter. Return business-class air fares and a suite at a five-star hotel were mandatory, alongside a $120,000 annual flight allowance paid at $10,000 a month.
The agreement stipulated that The Kyle and Jackie O Show was 'not a news program', and Sandilands could not be made to read news reports. The company promised not to increase the program’s news content, though the presenter could 'provide his response and opinion on news content aired during the program'. For an annual payment of $7.4m in cash, a consultancy fee of $200,000 and $500,000 in contra air time, Sandilands was required to deliver live and 'best of' programmes, 797 live reads, comedy segments, public appearances, pre-recorded commercials and social media posts.
Sandilands had the right to audit the station’s books to check for bonuses owed based on performance. If Henderson negotiated improved terms, Sandilands had to be informed. ARN insisted he broadcast from the Sydney studio or a location with broadcast-quality sound, despite his preference to work from home, and he had to give seven days' notice of international travel. Any 'defective' programming required a redo, and he had to pre-record ten 'emergency programmes' yearly for illness. The company was to provide a censor for a 30-second dump button. Justice Angus Stewart has set a 10-day hearing for October.
