The chairman of Southern Cross Austereo has refused to address...

The chairman of Southern Cross Austereo has refused to address speculation that the network is looking to lure Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson back to the station they left 10 years ago.

In July, it was reported that Kyle and Jackie O were linked to a move back to 2DayFM, having anchored breakfast KIIS since 2014. With their current contracts up at the end of 2024, it was rumoured that SCA were “pretty aggressive” in their pursuit of the ratings powerhouse duo.




When asked about the reports at its annual general meeting last week, especially given the fact that the network has since fielded a takeover bid by radio rivals ARN – which owns KIIS – SCA chair Rob Murray shut down the rumoured move.

“We won’t comment on the speculation,” Murray said.

“It’s for a matter that ARN should choose to, whether they need to, divulge the terms on which they employ Kyle and Jackie O.

“They’re clearly going to be a very expensive act, but we’re not going to comment on that speculation. It’s really for ARN to comment.”

It’s expected that Sandilands and Henderson will finalise a speculated $200 million deal over ten years by the end of the year.

Last Friday’s AGM also saw Murray and SCA CEO John Kelly confirm that the network is in discussions about the ARN takeover proposal and, apart from that its annualised cost base will be reduced by more than $15 million, with $10 million to come out this financial year (by June 30, 2024).

While an in-principle agreement is hoped to be reached by ARN and SCA by December, Murray was less enthusiastic about the timing saying it is “highly optimistic and frankly, we’re not going to be rushed”.