Karl Stefanovic was reportedly in talks to jump ship from Channel Nine to ARN months before the radio network axed its flagship The Kyle & Jackie O Show.
As speculation mounts over Stefanovic's future at Nine, News.com.au reported on Friday that the network approached the breakfast television star following the success of his recently-launched podcast.
The Karl Stefanovic Show has proved to be a huge success, with its first season generating more than 7.9 million listeners and 49.5 million views on YouTube and Spotify.
The podcast was launched in January, almost three months before ARN officially terminated The Kyle & Jackie O Show.
Its popularity is said to have caught the attention of ARN chief executive Michael Stephenson, who was previously the head of sales at Nine.
It is claimed the effort to entice Stefanovic to ARN was part of a wider plan by Stephenson and chief content officer Kerry Elstub to strengthen its roster of talent across the network, rather than just being known for Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson.
Karl Stefanovic was reportedly in talks to jump ship from Channel Nine to ARN months before the radio network axed its flagship The Kyle & Jackie O Show, thanks to the success of his podcast.
The podcast was launched in January, almost three months before ARN officially terminated The Kyle & Jackie O Show.
Elstub also has a long history with Nine, previously leading the network's digital platform, as well as taking on senior roles across such shows as A Current Affair and Today.
The publication claimed that given ARN's interest in Stefanovic prior to Sandilands' and Henderson's terminations, it is likely that the network is not chasing him to fill the coveted breakfast slot.
It was suggested that he could be enlisted to front a drive show for the network, given that the contracts of current hosts Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw expire at the end of the year.
Given Stefanovic's early success in the podcast space, it was also claimed that he could be brought in to shake up the network's podcast arm.
Daily Mail reached out to ARN, who declined to comment.
It comes as former KIIS star Kyle Sandilands teased an exciting new project to fans on Thursday.
With speculation swirling about what form that might take, insiders claimed to News Corp this week that Sandilands has designs on becoming Australia's answer to Piers Morgan.
As speculation mounts over Stefanovic's future at Nine, News.com.au reported on Friday that the network approached the breakfast television icon off the back of his podcast success.
They claimed the effort to entice Stefanovic to ARN was part of a wider plan.
The publication claimed that he has hopes of teaming up with a video-sharing platform for an uncut live-streamed show, similar to the polarising British broadcaster's popular YouTube show Piers Morgan Uncensored.
The format, which sees Morgan engage in fiery interviews and intense debates around controversial topics of the day, could be a perfect vehicle for the outspoken former shock jock.
Sandilands, who is locked in a legal battle with his former network ARN, teased his new project via the Kyle Sandilands Fans page on Instagram late on Wednesday night.
'Let me tell you a little secret... shhhh, don't tell anyone,' the 54-year-old began.
'I'm working on a new project and all will be revealed soon. I'm coming back, guys, bigger than ever!'
Sandilands did not reveal what the project will be; however, he was shown seated in what appeared to be a recording studio, with a sign in the background reading, 'Kyle Sandilands Live.'
The shock jock then addressed his long-time manager, Bruno Bouchet, whom he thanked for standing by him despite 'not being paid'.
'That's Bruno. He's paid to say that; well actually he's not paid at the moment!' Sandilands said after Bruno told Kyle he was looking well.
It comes as former KIIS star Kyle Sandilands teased an exciting new project to fans on Thursday.
With speculation swirling about what form that might take, insiders claimed to News Corp this week that Sandilands has designs on becoming Australia's answer to Piers Morgan.
The caption on the Instagram Reel read: 'EXCLUSIVE: Kyle has a little message for the fans! Returning to the airwaves? Podcast? We can't wait!'
There was a telling clue in the sign visible behind Kyle in the clip, which showed an image of the radio host alongside the words 'Kyle Sandilands Live', implying that the new show Sandilands is working on will go live to air.
Sandilands did not, however, specify when this new project would launch.