The Australian Communications and Media Authority imposed stringent new conditions on the broadcasting licences of ARN Media's (ASX:ARN) KIIS FM stations in Sydney and Melbourne.
The regulatory intervention follows a series of investigations into the now-defunct Kyle & Jackie O Show, which was recently pulled from the airwaves after a volatile on-air dispute between the veteran co-hosts.
ARN Media confirmed that the ACMA intends to publish these specific licence conditions in the Government Gazette, marking the commencement of a mandatory five-year compliance period for both metropolitan hubs.
The heart of the ACMA's ruling targets the future output of Kyle Sandilands and Jacqueline Henderson.
Under the primary conditions, any program hosted by or featuring the duo—whether appearing together or individually—must strictly adhere to refined broadcasting standards.
The regulator has mandated that their content must not contain strong or explicit sexual references, a move designed to address long-standing concerns regarding the program's tone and boundary-pushing segments.
ARN Media has moved quickly to reassure shareholders and advertisers, stating that it has already implemented internal protocols to ensure total compliance and brand safety moving forward.
While the network previously enjoyed the high ratings generated by the pair’s controversial style, this five-year "probationary" period signals a shift in the Australian radio landscape.
At the time of reporting, ARN Media's share price was $0.34.