Karl Stefanovic wipes Today show and Channel Nine from Instagram after shock TV exit

Karl Stefanovic has wiped Channel Nine and the Today show from his Instagram bio, pivoting to promote his independent media venture just days after his shock exit from the network.

The veteran broadcaster, whose 21-year tenure at Nine came to an abrupt end, has updated his Instagram bio to remove any mention of the Today show, instead directing followers to contact his management and watch The Karl Stefanovic Show via YouTube.

The social media makeover marks Stefanovic’s clearest signal yet that he is leaving his free-to-air television career behind as he doubles down on building his own independent platform.

Since his departure was confirmed, the former Today host has repeatedly embraced the language of independence and free speech, suggesting his new venture will allow him to have conversations that were not always possible within traditional television.

Hours after Nine announced his immediate departure, Stefanovic released a video declaring he was “free” and “truly independent” while thanking viewers who had supported him throughout more than two decades on Australian television.

“I’m free, truly independent,” Stefanovic said.

“I didn’t get the chance to thank my free-to-air audience for 21 great years, so thank you for riding the ups and downs, you have my thanks and you have all of my love.”

He also thanked the audience that had rallied behind him following his departure.

“To my audience on this show, thank you for your messages over the last couple of days, it has really meant everything to me.”

The television veteran admitted the past few days had been challenging but said he was focused on what comes next.

“It wasn’t easy this last couple of days, but we roll on.”

The former breakfast television host has also publicly thanked billionaire Elon Musk, praising X as a platform where he believes free speech is protected.

Stefanovic said his independent podcast would focus on exposing Australians to a broad range of viewpoints, arguing audiences should be trusted to make up their own minds.

His departure followed mounting scrutiny over his interview with far-right British activist Tommy Robinson, which sparked widespread backlash and intensified questions about whether his independent podcast was compatible with his role as host of Today.

In a statement announcing the split, Nine said both parties had agreed it was no longer possible for Stefanovic to continue hosting the breakfast program while producing his own independent media content.

“Nine Entertainment and Karl Stefanovic have agreed that it is no longer possible for him to continue hosting Today at the same time as his independent podcast,” the statement read.

“While Karl and Nine had previously agreed he would leave Today at the end of this year, they have subsequently decided he will leave the network immediately.”

His former co-host Sarah Abo became emotional while announcing his departure to viewers.

“Karl will not be returning to the Today show or to Nine,” she said.

In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Stefanovic fought back tears as he opened up about the toll his recent sacking has taken on his family.

Morgan asked Stefanovic: “Have you felt emotional since (being fired from Today)?”

“Just when I was thinking about my um just my wife,” Stefanovic replied, his voice shaking.

“Because she puts up with a lot and it’s not you know her finding out this stuff and having to deal with me because I’m a lot and I’m in the public eye a lot and I really do work hard and I’m away a bit and she knows what I’m trying to do with this podcast so I’m doing that and that and some radio and it’s like I’m doing it all for the family but she’s on her own a lot and and for me you know to hear her upset is it was the hardest thing.”

The interview was released on The Karl Stefanovic Show soon after reports emerged that he had lost his radio role alongside Eddie McGuire, and a week after he was axed from the Today show following controversy surrounding his podcast interview with Tommy Robinson.

However, the podcast appears to have been recorded only hours after Stefanovic was dismissed from Today.

“Are we just going to pretend that we are going to now do the interview we were going to do where you were going to interview me about life after morning shows?” Morgan asked.

“Because it does seem a bit ridiculous Karl because literally in the last few hours you’ve just been fired. What has happened?”

Despite his axing, Stefanovic insisted he was optimistic about the future.

“We’re just getting started. There’s a lot to do. I’m committed and I can’t wait to bring you these interviews. My first with Pierce Morgan,” he said in the opening of the episode.