Tensions escalate as Nine claims contract breach over Karl’s wedding photos

Tensions are escalating between Channel 9 and Karl Stefanovic with the media network claiming the former Today host’s lavish Mexican wedding caused a breach of contract, The Saturday Telegraph can reveal.

• Another one gone: Dickie replaced on Today
• Karl back in Sydney to face sacking reality

The ugly stoush between Channel 9 and Karl Stefanovic has escalated to the point where the broadcaster has called in its lawyers.

The reality of the past few days hit home for Stefanovic yesterday morning as the 44-year-old former Today host and his new bride Jasmine Yarbrough landed in Sydney after a long-haul flight from the US where they have been honeymooning.

“I suppose, as they say, a change is as good as a holiday, I’m looking forward to getting back to work. I’m moving forward with a sense of excitement about what’s to come,” Stefanovic said.

Stefanovic arrived home in Sydney on Friday morning after his wedding and honeymoon.

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“I’m happy to be home with my family and friends. I’m looking forward to Christmas with loved ones. I’ve got a lot to be thankful for.”

On Wednesday Nine announced it had moved Stefanovic from his post on Today alongside Georgie Gardner, who it has since been revealed had demanded executives move against him.

That timing fits with Gardner’s replacement of Lisa Wilkinson a year ago and a Nine executive then saying she “would only have to do one year with Karl”.

Stefanovic’s younger brother, Peter, was sacked from the network as host of Weekend Today on Tuesday.

Karl Stefanovic, who will at this stage stay on with Nine hosting This Time Next Year, appeared weary but upbeat as he made his way to a waiting car at Sydney Airport yesterday morning.

Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough wedding shoot for Who magazine. Picture: Who

Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough outside the Mexican chapel where they held their wedding ceremony.

According to sources, Nine has told its former breakfast TV host he may have breached his contract by allowing rival media outlets to publish images of his wedding in Mexico.

Nine claims the Gold Logie winner was wrong to give Who magazine and Vogue Australia access to photographs in Mexico.

But The Saturday Telegraph can reveal Nine not only knew of the arrangement but that the company’s publicity department had actively been part of a PR rollout plan.

Contrary to Nine’s spin that Stefanovic’s lavish wedding was the catalyst for executives to move him from his job, it can also be revealed the network participated in the planning and daily push of content to media and the strategic seeding of stories.

“Nine hedged a bet each way with the wedding depending on how it was perceived,” a senior industry source said. “If things went well, they were going to take credit. If there was backlash, Karl was going to suffer.”

Stefanovic’s dumping comes less than a fortnight after he married Jasmine Yarbrough.

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After sacking Peter and moving Karl on, Nine has also shifted entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins from Today to the lower profile Today Extra, replaced by triple j’s Brooke Boney. Sport journalist Tim Gilbert has also been sent packing with Nine paying out the year he had left on his contract.

It all comes less than a fortnight after Stefanovic and Yarbrough were blissfully married in Mexico.

Meanwhile, Australia’s top agents have waded into the messy saga.

The $3 million host is still bankable and will make a comeback, they say, despite the two years of negative headlines have tarnished his reputation.

Titus Day, who managed Lara Bingle through the Brendan Fevola nude photo scandal, Grant Denyer in the midst of drug allegations and Matthew Newton when he fought domestic violence charges, said the once loveable larrikin is still a sought after media man and can repair his reputation if managed correctly.

“My professional opinion on Karl is that while his brand has taken a battering and his career is on a knife’s edge, it can be turned around,” the founder of 6 Degrees Group said. “He is a wonderful television talent, which hasn’t changed, and other media personalities have come back from doing far worse than he has. The Australian public will always forgive you if you are honest, humble, apologise and own your mistakes.”

Top celebrity agent Titus Day.

Jennifer Hawkins’ long time agent Sean Anderson has simple advice for the father-of-three, who was just two years ago Nine’s golden boy.

He believes he needs to sort out his personal life before he plots his next career move.

“Speaking as both a manager and a lawyer, my best career advice to Karl would be to find peace with (ex wife) Cassandra (Thorburn),” Anderson said. “I knows it’s easier said than done but the drama playing out between them in public is so damaging. Happy ex-wife, happy life.”

Another high profile agent added: “If he’s smart, comes back with the right attitude and has good council he can turn this around and potentially even endear himself to more of the Australian public than he did at the height of his popularity. The focus now needs to first be on supporting his children, being a good role model, putting his head down and working hard.