How KIIS cashed in on Kyle & Jackie O’s ‘explosive fights’

Kyle Sandilands has admitted to repeatedly berating his co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson on and off air, but told the Federal Court that the KIIS network encouraged him by promoting clips of the pair’s blow-ups with titles telling listeners to hear the “EXPLOSIVE off air fight”.

Court documents seen by this masthead reveal Sandilands has admitted, as ARN alleged, that he had used harsh words towards Henderson multiple times, but argues none of these constituted a breach of contract because KIIS then used the material to make money.

Sandilands and Henderson’s professional relationship imploded in February this year, after Sandilands berated Henderson during a live broadcast on the February 20 edition of “The Kyle and Jackie O show” for looking into horoscopes.

KIIS’ owner ARN then terminated their contracts and both broadcasters separately sued the network for more than $160 million in total. In its defence, the network laid out several times Sandilands had verbally attacked Henderson on air, which it said amounted to serious misconduct. In the court filing lodged on Friday, Sandilands’ lawyers admitted many of those incidents, but did not concede they constituted bullying or harassment.

But Sandilands’ lawyers also went further, documenting other incidents between Sandilands and Henderson. Among the revelations are an off-air argument the pair had in early 2025, when Sandilands said Henderson was “on it hard” that morning. “Like you were away with the fairies,” Sandilands said.

“We were laughing because you were off with the fairies and weren’t paying attention.”

When Henderson replied she was “constantly getting f—ing gas lit around here”, Sandilands shot back: “Don’t go pulling up those f—ing lying statements.” The off-air episode was later mentioned by Sandilands on air and placed into a podcast by ARN entitled “Kyle & Jackie’s unheard EXPLOSIVE off air fight” on May 5 2025.

According to the document, Sandilands and Henderson asked ChatGPT therapy-style questions live on air in November 2024. “How should I stop making drug related jokes around my colleague who’s currently a recovering addict?” the pair asked. Henderson had gone public about her battles with alcohol and prescription medication addiction just one month earlier.

Sandilands also asked the AI service, “How do I tell my work colleague I think she’s dating way too many different fellas”.

Sandilands is seeking more than $85 million in damages from ARN in the Federal Court, claiming the termination of his contract was invalid.

Across three pages, his legal team outlined several examples of the type of behaviour that they said was not a breach of his contract because, in essence, ARN had created an expectation it was acceptable under the terms of his agreement.

“[ARN] publicly exploited and thereby sought to monetise the conduct,” Sandilands’ lawyers continue in their reply. “[They did this] without directing or requesting Mr Sandilands or Ms Henderson, not to engage in conduct of that kind.”

In one, Sandilands’ lawyers mention an episode in late 2023 where Sandilands stormed out of the studio.

The following day, Henderson asked on-air whether this fight would be broadcast. “Why didn’t we put it? Oh, well, what are you going to do, put a podcast? People would tune in for that. They would actually probably get our highest ratings.”

The podcast episode for this show was titled “The REAL reason Kyle left the show yesterday”, with the description “have a listen for all the details”.

Henderson is also suing ARN, alleging the network failed to provide a safe workplace for her and that she regularly raised concerns about workplace bullying.

ARN is countersuing both Sandilands and Henderson in addition to defending against both their claims. The network is demanding they pay for advertising that KIIS lost after they allegedly breached their contracts.

ARN declined to comment. Henderson and Sandilands representatives were contacted for comment.

The matter is due back in court in June.

Read more on Kyle and Jackie O

The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.