Kyle and Jackie O take pay cut as ARN moves to protect jobs

KIIS FM shock jock Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson have been forced to cop a pay cut due to the COVID-19 crisis. Other radio hosts have also taken a salary slice. Here’s how much they have lost.

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Radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands has taken a pay cut due to COVID-19.

The popular breakfast radio host and co-star Jackie O Henderson are among the big names on the books at Australian Radio Network (ARN) to take a reduction of 10 per cent in their fees across various control measures because of the impact of coronavirus.

“These decisive measures have been put in place to protect jobs and ensure ARN remains in a strong position as a stable business – and employer – in the long term,” ARN chief executive Ciaran Davis said in a statement.

“Australia is facing a widespread fall in marketing and advertising activity and our response to this crisis is being reviewed on an ongoing basis as we assess the revenue performance over the coming weeks and months.”

Kyle Sandilands has taken a pay cut as ARN moves to protect jobs.

In October, ARN declared Kyle and Jackie O would remain hosting breakfast on its KIIS FM station for another six years in a deal said to be worth up to $50 million.

Other big names signed to ARN include WSFM breakfast duo Amanda Keller and Brendan Jones, as well as the likes of Christian O’Connell, Robyn Bailey, Terry Hansen, Bob Gallagher, Jason Hawkins, Polly ‘PJ’ Harding, Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw from other metro markets across the country.

Executives at ARN meanwhile will take a 20 per cent reduction in salaries for an initial six month period and will also forgo all incentive and bonus payments for the year.

KIIS 1065’s Kyle & Jackie O have accepted a ten per cent pay cut as the network tightens its belt during the coronavirus crisis.

“Although ARN is in a strong position, like all media businesses our revenue has been significantly impacted by COVID-19,” Davis said.

“During times when the nation needs a sense of community, connection and some normality, the power of radio is undisputed and we remain dedicated to providing the best possible content for our audiences and delivering solutions to our clients across broadcast radio, on-demand audio, and digital. I am confident the measures we have implemented today will put ARN in the strongest position possible to endure and succeed in these uncertain times.”

The ARN news comes after rival network Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) took similar measures last week in cutting ‘talent’ earnings by 10 per cent.

SCA talent Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little. Picture: Tony Gough

High profile SCA talent include Carrie Bickmore, Tommy Little, Ash London, Lawrence Mooney, Eddie McGuire, Dave Hughes, Ed Kavalee, Jane Kennedy, Mick Molloy, Fifi Box and Brendan Fevola.

Across the board at SCA, employees earning more than $68,000 have had their renumeration reduced by 10 per cent. Staff have also been asked to take no less than 10 days leave before June 30.

“We have taken these measures swiftly to protect the long-term health of our business and importantly job security of our people. These measures are part of a growing list of measures and actions we are adopting in these unprecedented and difficult times,” SCA chief executive Grant Blackley said.

“These measures will impact all of us and I would like to thank and acknowledge the unwavering support of our incredible people across our 65 offices for their support and commitment to our business.”