Kyle Sandilands

Five ACMA investigations into programmes broadcast between June and December 2024 resulted in repeated findings of highly offensive content or strong, explicit sexual references. In March 2026, ACMA imposed additional conditions on ARN licence holders for five years in relation to programmes hosted by Sandilands and/or Jackie O.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Following the deterioration of his professional relationship with Jackie O Henderson and an on-air confrontation on 20 February 2026, ARN characterised Sandilands' behaviour as 'serious misconduct', then terminated his contract and that of his company Quasar Media. Sandilands challenged the process. In June 2026, the parties reached a comprehensive settlement including 12,09 million Australian dollars and advertising support for his new venture.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Sandilands was criticised by doctors for a campaign promoting Mosh, a telehealth platform offering, among other services, medication-based weight-loss treatments. Criticism centred on celebrity influence, remote assessments and the risk of normalising prescription medications.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

During a programme about the Tokyo Paralympic Games, Sandilands made remarks deemed mocking and degrading towards athletes with disabilities. Two days later, a segment concerning criticism of the programme contained a threat against a named journalist. ACMA found breaches of decency rules in both segments.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

In a segment about mpox, Sandilands made remarks stereotyping gay men and collectively attributing responsibility for spreading the virus to them. ACMA concluded that the segment breached decency rules.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Sandilands used insults and ableist terms on air concerning colleagues or industry competitors. The segment prompted criticism and concern among some advertisers.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Sandilands made sexually explicit and mocking remarks about the Virgin Mary. Christian and Muslim leaders condemned the comments, demonstrations took place outside the station, and Sandilands subsequently delivered a lengthy series of on-air apologies.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Sandilands and his programme repeatedly questioned sports journalist Erin Molan about an alleged breast enlargement. The segment was widely criticised as sexist and intrusive; Molan left her regular segment shortly afterwards.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After a journalist criticised a television programme, Sandilands insulted her on air in sexist terms and said he would 'hunt her down'. Several advertisers withdrew their advertising, and ACMA subsequently found the remarks deeply degrading and contrary to decency standards.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

During a segment using a fake lie detector, a 14-year-old girl disclosed that she had been raped. The way the programme continued questioning her provoked national outrage. Sandilands and Jackie O were suspended, Network Ten dismissed Sandilands from his role on Australian Idol, and ACMA subsequently found a breach of the broadcasting code.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Sandilands attacked Magda Szubanski's weight and used a concentration camp comparison. The remark triggered another controversy a few weeks after the lie-detector incident.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated