We’re sorry for Kyle’s comments, says Southern Cross Austereo CEO
Southern Cross Austereo boss Rhys Holleran tonight issued “sincere apologies” for the comments made about a female journalist by 2Day FM presenter Kyle Sandilands.
SCA issued a statement from Holleran saying: “Kyle speaks his mind, however, in this case we recognise that his opinions have caused offence and we sincerely apologise.”
Holleran said the SCA “does not condone” Sandilands’ comments.
The statement said that the organisation would be “addressing issues with Kyle personally and assessing internal systems and processes.” It added:
“We value our listeners and clients dearly and hold the utmost respect for their opinions and actions.”
The row first erupted after Kyle & Jackie O’s Night With The Stars aired on Monday night.
Journalist Alison Stephenson posted a story on news.com.au summarising negative tweets about the show.
On Tuesday morning Sandilands launched into a tirade against Stephenson, describing her as “a piece of shit” and making personal comments about her appearance.
Later that morning, the ratings for the show proved to be poor.
By Wednesday, sponsors and advertisers were coming under pressure from the public, with Holden, The Good Guys and Vodafone withdrawing.
These were followed on Thursday by Telstra, Blackmores, Harvey Norman, Fantastic Furniture, Crazy John’s and Medibank.
This morning Sandilands addressed the issue, saying that he was sorry if Stephenson had been offended, but that she should think again before criticising him next time.
Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large.
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Well done Rhys for getting on front foot and taking it head on
Doug
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There appears to be some serious mismanagement and representation here. I am not a fan of Kyle Sandilands and certainly do not support or favor his consistent approach to responding to criticism in what i deem to be a less than mature manner. In saying this and without any intent to defend his behavior I wonder whether Kyle is more a product of our creation.
There are media rules and regulations that he has clearly breached time and time again with what seems as no recourse. He is promoted and expected to behave in a manner that he is known for and yet what he chose to say this time people reacted to?
Perhaps Kyle’s management need to hold themselves for allowing this type of character have more free reign that he can handle. Perhaps his counterpart Jackie should be more responsible by not laughing at these statements and therefore indirectly supporting / encouraging the situation.
Kyle, Jackie and their associated management need to take a long hard look at this situation and put measures in place for this not to happen again. I don’t feel that Kyle should be the scape goat on this one. Many people ( you know who you are) need to stand up and recognize your contribution.
Poor form by all involved. Make it right.
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So the turd needs someone to apologize for him. lol.
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Is this the end or is there a new episode?
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If they’re really sorry – they’ll take that arrogant, foul-mouthed cretin off the air. Otherwise, all they’re sorry about is losing money.
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Once again, the mysogonistic pig and his giggling side kick are let off the hook by management. The ad industry needs to keep the pressure up and black ban the show, otherwise, it’s just a matter of time til they offend and disrespect their clients, listeners and fellow staff members. Too soft SCA….too soft!!!
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Not. Good. Enough.
More has to be done to stop the race to the bottom.
All 3 (Kyle, Jackie and Boss) should go.
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how come you are only ‘sorry’ after the sponsors have pulled out?
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Isn’t something missing from this report.
He also made the statement at the end of his rant , “Watch your mouth, girl, or I will hunt you down”.
Am I allowed to say that to him on national radio if i don’t like what he say’s, and does anyone think he’s going to be wearing a white ribbon any time soon?
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Get the ugly fat twat off the air if you’re really sorry. if you dont then you are hypocritical shits.
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So another excuse for this grub.
Just sack him.
We,ve heard all this before.
Show some moral leadership Rhys,otherwise more advertisers will dump you.
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Sorry about losIng sponsor dollars
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SCA & Kyle seem very quick to say sorry after advertising $$ are starting to disappear… why didn’t SCA come out earlier and apologise??
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KYLE SANDILANDS IS A VILE MISANTHROPE. HE SHOULD BE PROSECUTED UNDER VILIFICATION LAWS.ALL THE ‘APLOGIES’ ARE (UNDERSTATEMENT) NOT GOOD ENOUGH. OBVIOUS YOU DO NOT CARE RHYS HOLLERAN AND ALL THOSE WHO DEFEND THIS REVOLTING NASTY MAN. WICKEDNESS IS INTENTIONAL. YOU ARE ALL A DISGRACE.
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They’ve lost AMEX now as well. The brands that are staying are taking a hammering on their Facebook pages. An apology is nice but what are they going to do to stop it continually happening?
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If Rhys has had to step up and make comment, Kyle is certainly a dead man walking come time to renew the contract. Kyle won’t get fired, but will probably “leave to pursue other interests”.
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I’m with Kerry J and Soft on this one. Not good enough SCA.
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I’m sorry Southern Cross Austereo, but I don’t believe you…Kyle should be fired for his actions. Plus he insulted, denigned and put a death mark on that female interviewer from News Corp (and News Corp should get revenge for that…assuming they have the guts!).
PS. And to make it more clear, first chance I get I’m gonna call the Kyle and Jackie O Show (soon to be the Jackie O show) and really f**k him up!
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You’re kidding right?
That is not even close to an apology.
That is the problem Rhys “Kyle speaks his mind” and you guys have no control over that. His views are highly offensive.
All you really care about is losing money, be honest.
Seriously, you guys look pathetic over there at 2dayfm pandering to this bully.
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A slap on the wrist and an apology from the SCA CEO just to appease the advertisers who pulled out or moved their advertising slots to different shows … really I wasn’t expecting much from SCA but this is an all time new low. Now wonder I don’t listen to the SCA stations anymore and as a former employee of Austereo many years ago, I’m truly disappointed that you guys still let rubbish presenters like Kyle Sanderlands and talking head Jackie O’ on air – I was once proud the fact that I used to work there.
There are much more talented people available on the market than these two has beens. Let someone else step up and get rid of the rubbish presenters / dead wood you have, especially these two.
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“Well done Rhys for getting on front foot and taking it head on”
On the front foot? Hilarious. Austereo has never been willing to take responsibility for putting Kyle to air. Taking responsibility would mean sacking him and it’s clear they just hope the whole thing will once again blow over. Not so sure this time News seems to want his scalp…
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If this is a sign of the future actions of the new southern cross management, this business is in trouble. Prediction 2012 is going to be a disaster for Austereo and DMG and ARN are going to continue their ascendancy.
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@Tania – most excellent points Tania
Kyle is a bully, and there are many, many known methods for dealing with bullies, and none of them include large financial rewards and forums to continue speaking their “mind”.
If management cannot clearly see Kyle as a liability, when there are so many other talented people out there, and cannot grow some balls and take him to task for being a shit, then he will continue to behave like the spoilt-brat bully he is.
good point @Albie, plenty other talent out there who can keep an audience engaged without resorting to this inanity from #vileKyle.
Not like he really provided anything of value to the world.
And while we’re on the subject, does anyone know what the point of Jackie-O is? Still trying to work that out. Amazing how someone with such a pretty face can be so amazingly forgettable.
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Guys, they aren’t losing advertisers, one just has to listen to the station to realise that a lot of these good clients are still on air in other sessions and even some that say they have cancelled are still in breakfast. Clients are just trying to leverage the publicity and get exposure so people will shop there still
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If I was an employee of SCA I would be deeply ashamed by the lack of ethical standards shown by my CEO. Kyle made a threat to this lady and used hate based language. Imagine if he had said this to someone using relegious or ethnic references instead of gender based. I find it extrordinary that Rhys Holleran thinks this will just go away.
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Rhys loses $1.2 million in advertising revenue and then he says “sorry”. Just shows where his priorities lie.
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Why didn’t he attack the tweeters?
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@chopper Jackie O is just there to be a pretty face. Like i said a talking airhead with no substance what so ever.
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Spot on Bill Posters & Failed Management.
They have crucified Southern Cross TV and next in line is Austereo. Little country radio cowboys who think they’re bigger than Quo Vadis….and if you’ve evr encountered this “management team” you’ll know they probably write Kyle’s scripts.
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Yes Rhys, you don’t condone Kyle’s comments etc. But you DO pay him to say them! What are you going to do? Sack him? No, Have a stern chat with a wink and a nod. Ah ha. That’s not respecting your listeners or sponsors. But then again when was the last time respecting anyone or thing paid the bills?
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They should sack him. instead they’re giving us plattitudes. They’ll keep enabling him for as long as his chauvinistic and immature listeners stay on, and therefore enough advertisers. We can only hope that he chokes on his own bile.
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Not that I’m condoning ANYTHING this guy EVER done, but how many times have people in the media called Kyle fat with intent of derogation? Seems a bit of a double standard.
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Well done Rhys but he still has to go. This type of thing continue to happen. Kyles address this morning shows once again how removed from the real world he really is.
“This morning Sandilands addressed the issue, saying that he was sorry if Stephenson had been offended, but that she should think again before criticising him next time”.
He is not sorry and how couldn’t Alison Stephenson be offended by his comment.
He is in the public arena, Kyle this means you are open to critics as you are so critical about so many other.
I have signed this petition
http://www.change.org/petition.....o-vilekyle
Hopefully anyone else that believes this type of thing is not acceptable should sign also. We do so much to try to stop bullying in our schools and workplaces but for some reason a statement from Austereo and Kyle address the matter on air is meant to make it all better. NEWS FLASH…. Not good enough, get rid of him!
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Anyone noticed all of you and your hipocracy…absolute hipocracy…!!
You criticise Kyle for calling her names and yet you one by one line up to do the same to him…some of the vile names you call Kyle, are exactly what you criticise him for…
Wow- take along hard look at yourselves….and settle down..Just turn him off- simple as that…
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One of the most distrusted phrases by consumers is: ‘We value our listeners/customers/clients dearly….’
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I’m concerned that some of the comments above are just as bad as those that Kyle made. Some of Kyle’s comments were indefensible as were Jackie’s acceptance of them but some of the comments above are awful too and make me feel uncomfortable.
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“… his opinions have caused offence”
Rhys, threatening to hunt down a journalist is not an opinion. I can’t believe how weak your response to this is – I’m so happy that the company I work for was one of the first to pull out.
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So its alright for Sandilands to criticise people, but not vica versa. Can we all put the hat around and raise some money so we can take a contract out on this pig.
Cos doesnt look like Rhys is gonna have the balls to pull him off air anytime soon.
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I have another idea, put him in a room with Deni Hines……
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ARE YOU SERIOUS?
How dare he offer an apology and a threat at the same time!
Kyle AND Jackie should be put off. Giggling in the background – she should be ashamed of herself. And if those same words (that were used by Kyle) were used by another media commentator about Jackie herself or indeed Kyle – what would be the reaction do we think? Would SCA take legal action?.
Put it in the perspective of K&J’s behaviour towards a very very tame report on what others were saying.
PLEASE, EVERYONE – VOTE WITH YOUR EARS AND YOUR WALLETS!! ITS THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS – AND A HALF HEARTED APOLOGY / THREAT DOES NOT APPEASE – BY A VERY LONG WAY
Please don’t let this become acceptable in our society …
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I note that a Russian TV station immediately fired a newscaster for raising her middle finger when referring to Barrack Obama. Her action was described as “unprofessional”.
Pity SCA doesn’t have the same standards.
here’s the clip:
http://media.smh.com.au/entert.....96977.html
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What a cop out. mealy mouthed response.
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There’s nothing more to do or say, just fire him and find an inspirational replacement that might salvage the station.
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“This morning Sandilands addressed the issue, saying that he was sorry if Stephenson had been offended, but that she should think again before criticising him next time.” Why should she not be allowed to criticise him? She did it in a non-threatening and socially acceptable manner. She made no reference to his weight and nor did she threaten to physically harm him for making such a crap show. This can no longer be tolerated – specifically in the very week when we are asking men to pledge their allegiance to a campaign to stop violence against women. I know it is an empty threat however he has a million impressionable boys listening to his show and soaking up everyone of his misogynistic thoughts.
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Just throwing it out there, why is it ok to speak with the same bile towards Kyle as what he did to that reporter. Two wrongs don’t make a right..
#hypocritical
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Today’s White Ribbon Day. Some of Austereo’s biggest personalities have sworn not to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence towards women but that same network is allowing Kyle to threaten to hunt someone down and excusing it (Rhys) and remaining silent about it (Jackie O).
Would be great to see them refuse to remain silent about Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O’s behaviour and get them and their producer away from our airwaves.
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Seriously – fire Kyle already! Talk is cheap. Nobody cares about your apology Rhys – you are still condoning this behaviour by continuing to employ #VileKyle
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Hey Kimba – great idea. We put Kyle, Deni Hines, and Ray Hadley together in a padded cell. But first, we tell Ray that Kyle thinks he’s cute….
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