‘Where’s Karl?’: Podcast falls silent as advertising deal ends

Karl Stefanovic’s independent podcast has not uploaded new content in more than two weeks, raising questions about the program’s future as his main advertiser ended its contract with the former Today host.

The Karl Stefanovic Show has not posted new podcast episodes or social media content across all social channels since August 24, leaving Stefanovic’s subscribers asking whether the former TV star will be returning at all.

The former TV host was sacked by Nine after he interviewed British far-right figure Tommy Robinson just over two months ago. After he was forced from his multimillion-dollar contract, Stefanovic said he was finally “free” and “truly independent”, allowing him to properly pursue his podcast.

Country clothing brand Ringers Western confirmed its sponsorship deal with the independent show has ended, with no plans to renew the deal, when approached by this masthead over the show’s inactivity. A spokesperson from the brand said the deal was planned to end in September.

Stefanovic’s video content heavily promoted Ringers Western, with Stefanovic often appearing in videos in its clothing, including during an interview with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson in August.

The Karl Stefanovic Show has not posted any content since its last episode was published, featuring an interview with men’s surgeon Dr Buck Parker, discussing whether humans can de-age through “reprogramming ageing cells”, peptides and wellness treatments.

In the week prior, Stefanovic uploaded five full episodes and often uploaded episodes several times per week to his YouTube channel, including almost daily posts on his Instagram and TikTok pages.

Both Stefanovic and his business partner and producer Keshnee Kemp did not respond to requests for comment when asked to explain the absence on Tuesday afternoon. Kemp did also not respond to questions regarding the show’s ongoing funding after its partnership with Ringers Western came to an end.

Stefanovic posted a video on his personal Instagram page on August 29 showing him attending Griffith’s Taste of Italy Festival.

Brand partnerships and sponsorships are key to Stefanovic’s funding model, which also relies on ad revenue from different social media platforms, largely YouTube. A company linked to Kemp’s digital marketing company August One owns 45 per cent of Stefanovic’s new venture, while Stefanovic owns 45 per cent himself. The final 10 per cent is owned by celebrity accountant Anthony Bell, as reported by the Financial Review in June.

Some recent episodes published in August appeared without a brand partner, with Ringers Western the only partner listed on most videos on Stefanovic’s YouTube page. Some interviews were also sponsored by payroll platform Tanda.

Stefanovic conducted the interview with Hanson in Mount Isa wearing Ringers Western clothing, while the One Nation leader appeared in a custom orange S Kidman hat, the clothing brand owned by party donor Gina Rinehart.

A wellness supplement company Revive5 publicly backed Stefanovic in June after his sacking, but has not appeared on any recent episodes.

Stefanovic launched the new podcast at the start of this year, agreeing to a deal with Nine which allowed him to launch his own show while continuing to present the Today program.

It quickly became clear that the podcast, pitched as an unscripted and uncensored platform for him to uncover “bloody good stories”, was instead an attempt to capture the growing chunk of Australians moving toward far-right, populist politics alongside the rise of One Nation in the polls.

One Nation politicians including Hanson and Barnaby Joyce became regular fixtures, as did Family First senator Gerard Rennick, who is a regular guest alongside conspiracy theorists and foreign far-right figures such as British MP Rupert Lowe.

Stefanovic’s followers have begun leaving comments on his various social media accounts, asking if the show will be returning at all.

“Karl we miss you mate hope you’re ok!“; “wheres karl??“; “Where’s the podcast gone?!” commenters wrote on his social media pages.

Stefanovic’s interview with Robinson, who is a fascist and convicted criminal, was the final straw for Nine, despite Stefanovic removing the interview shortly after it was uploaded.

“Here’s what I believe in: the public deserve to hear perspectives,” Stefanovic said in a statement published online shortly after he was dismissed by Nine.

“On my show, I have spoken to people who have different perspectives; I know that winds some people up. Sometimes I agree with everything a guest says, sometimes I don’t. But importantly, you get to make up your own mind.”

During the interview, Stefanovic took a deferential tone with Robinson, at one point telling him “god, I love ya”.

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