ARN has today announced the signing of Karl Stefanovic and Eddie McGuire for new cross platform format The Long Weekend, with Nine also set to stream the series across its platforms.
The new weekly format will see the pair tackle the biggest stories in news, sport and entertainment, airing across ARN Media’s broadcast, streaming and digital platforms before becoming available across Nine’s streaming services within 24 hours of first going to air.
The move marks one of ARN’s biggest talent plays under its new executive team, led by former Nine executive and now ARN Chief Content Officer Kerri Elstub, as the company ramps up its push into premium audio, video and social content.
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Launching next month, The Long Weekend will air live Fridays from 12pm to 3pm across the GOLD Network, with live streaming and on demand access also available through iHeart, 9Now and Stan.
ARN says the format will feature guests, opinion driven discussion and what it describes as “unmissable banter” aimed at setting the tone for the weekend ahead.
ARN Chief Executive Officer Michael Stephenson described the signing as a major moment for the company’s evolving content strategy, positioning the show as a showcase for its broader ambitions beyond traditional radio.
“Karl and Eddie are two of the biggest stars in Australian media and they are now at ARN.”
Nine Managing Director Streaming and Broadcast Amanda Laing said the new partnership was a natural extension of the company’s growing investment in podcasting and vodcasting content across its streaming platforms.
“Karl and Eddie are great broadcasters and we look forward to showcasing The Long Weekend, adding to the expanding content available to our audiences on 9Now and Stan.”
The deal also extends internationally, with the show set for distribution through the iHeart network across markets including New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Mexico and the UK.
ARN and McGuire Media will additionally collaborate on a separate sport focused iHeart original podcast series, with both projects produced alongside JAM TV.
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The announcement also arrives amid continued industry speculation around Stefanovic’s long term future at Nine, following the growing success of his independent podcast and recent comments hinting radio could play a larger role in his future plans.
As previously reported, Stefanovic and Today co host Sarah Abo are understood to have signed only a one year extension with Nine late last year, although the network has stressed both Stefanovic and McGuire’s existing commitments remain unchanged.
Elstub’s appointment at ARN earlier this year raised eyebrows across the industry given her long history at Nine, where she previously held senior roles across Today, A Current Affair and nine.com.au before moving across to lead ARN’s content division.
The Long Weekend now becomes one of the clearest examples yet of ARN leveraging those long standing television relationships as it reshapes its talent roster and multiplatform ambitions.
The Long Weekend launches June 19 across the GOLD Network, iHeart, 9Now and Stan.
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