ARN has signed Karl Stefanovic and Eddie McGuire to co-create The Long Weekend, a new weekly news, sport and entertainment format launching on June 19, 2026.
Nine Entertainment (Nine) made the announcement today, with the radio show to stream on 9Now and Stan, in a multi-platform arrangement with ARN.
The Long Weekend will be available as a vodcast from Friday 12pm – 3pm each week, in addition to being broadcast across the iHeart and GOLD Networks.
Nine Managing Director, Streaming and Broadcast, Amanda Laing said: “Nine has a deep commitment to audio through podcasting and vodcasting and it makes perfect sense for two of Nine’s talent to have their new show streamed on their home network.
“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.”
Nine’s announcement confirmed “both Karl and Eddie’s respective commitments with Nine remain unchanged.”
9Now and Stan will stream The Long Weekend from 19 June 2026 through to December 2026.
ARN said the format will feature discussion on the week’s biggest news, sport and entertainment stories, with guests involved in the moments shaping national conversation.
A multi-platform play for ARN
The Long Weekend will be distributed in Australia across broadcast radio, live radio streaming, podcast, social, free-to-air streaming and subscription streaming.
It will also be available internationally through the iHeart network in New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, the United States and the UK.
The launch forms part of ARN’s broader push to build an entertainment business around audio, video, social content and live experiences for audiences and brands.
ARN will also work with McGuire Media on a new sport-focused iHeart original podcast series for global distribution. Both formats will be produced in partnership with JAM TV, McGuire’s production company.
Michael Stephenson, Chief Executive Officer of ARN, said: “Karl and Eddie are two of the biggest stars in Australian media and they are now at ARN. The Long Weekend is an excellent example of our strategy coming to life, premium audio and video content distributed across every platform, amplified on social and distributed across the globe on the iHeart Network. This is going to be brilliant.”
ARN CEO Michael Stephenson
Kerri Elstub, Chief Content Officer of ARN, said she had known Stefanovic for 20 years, since his first day on Today.
“When big moments happen, there is no one better – he has a unique ability to relate to Australian audiences. Eddie needs no introduction. His influence and broadcasting prowess is legendary. I can’t wait to show you what they can do together,” Elstub said.
Stefanovic and McGuire reunite on radio
McGuire said the partnership had been years in the making.
“This is a wonderful new chapter. Karl and I have been talking about working together for years, and to do it on this scale, nationally on GOLD, internationally on iHeart, on 9Now and Stan and with JAM TV as a production partner is a once in a career opportunity,” he said.
“We’re going to bring our audience along to wherever the big news, sport and entertainment is happening, with great music in between. Karl is one of my closest mates in the industry. Now we get to do this together. Off we go.”
Stefanovic said radio had long been a major influence.
“Since I was born, I’ve been a student of radio and announcers. The intimacy of the medium is powerful. Working with Eddie makes it even more exciting for me. We’ve been friends for a long time,” he said.
“We are both ready to disrupt the status quo and let me tell you, we’ll have plenty of fun along the way. God, don’t we all need that. ARN have given us this opportunity, now watch us go and have a proper crack.”
Stefanovic is best known as the long-time co-host of Nine’s Today, where he has been a regular presence in Australian television for more than two decades.
McGuire has worked across television, radio, sport and production for more than 40 years. His credits include The Footy Show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, and 13 years as co-host of Triple M’s Hot Breakfast.
Top image: Eddie McGuire and Karl Stefanovic