It comes as an internal investigation by Warner Media continues into a series of shocking allegations by past and current employees who described a "toxic work environment" with a culture of "racism, fear and intimidation".
They also claimed there was widespread sexual misconduct among the top executives at the show.
DeGeneres is set to return to work for Season 18 of her talk show in September, which currently screens in NZ on TVNZ.
However, earlier this month, Channel 9 refused to confirm whether or not it would air the new episodes, explaining that it was awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
"Do we have rights beyond this year? The answer to that is no," Nine programming director Hamish Turner told TV Tonight.
"We'll wait to hear from Warner Brothers as to the results of their internal inquiry, because at the moment, they haven't even come forward with what the show is, or when it might go back into production."
Turner added: "We're waiting to see what the US are doing and then obviously we'll need to negotiate rates.
"There's a lot to go under the bridge before we even get to that stage. We haven't got a clear picture yet."
Last week, it was revealed DeGeneres had offered up a suite of incentives to staff in order to boost morale amid the mounting allegations.
According to Page Six, the host, 62, offered staffers increased paid time off and a generous medical leave policy.
DeGeneres has experienced a swift and dramatic fall from grace throughout 2020. Photo / Supplied
It comes after the comedian directly addressed the "insane" no-eye-contact policy allegedly enforced on employees.
"I don't know where it started," DeGeneres said. "Please talk to me. Look me in the eye."
Describing the rumoured rule as "insane," she continued: "It's crazy, just not true, I don't know how it started. (It's) not who I am."
According to Variety, she was "emotional" as she addressed the team.
A former producer of the Today show in July revealed DeGeneres' staff's "bizarre" demands when she made an appearance on the show back in 2013.
"'She'll come in, she'll sit down, she'll talk to [host] Richard [Wilkins] and then Ellen will leave,'" Neil Breen recalled her staff telling him. "And I sort of said, 'I can't look at her?' I found the whole thing bizarre."
Warner Media is reportedly nearing the end of its investigation into The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which already ousted three top producers from its ranks – executive producers Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman.
Instead, DeGeneres' in-house DJ, Stephen "tWitch" Boss, who recently said there's "been love" on set, has been named co-executive producer, Deadline reported.
The top producers' removal came after staffers accused them of a toxic work environment and sexual misconduct.
Rumours had swirled for some time about the culture behind the scenes on The Ellen Show, but were laid bare for the first time in a recent Buzzfeed report, which collated the claims of misconduct and harassment from a number of current and former employees.
Hours before the report was published, the television personality had issued a letter to staff.
In her note, as published by The Hollywood Reporter, DeGeneres apologised for what had gone on, insisting that steps would be taken to "correct the issues" going forward.
But the letter was slammed by many on social media, who accused Ellen of passing the buck and throwing her own staff under the bus.
2020 has been a tough year for Ellen. Photo / Getty
"As we've grown exponentially, I've not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I'd want them done. Clearly some didn't. That will now change and I'm committed to ensuring this does not happen again," she wrote.
The comedian has also come under fire this year for failing to communicate the status of staff members' jobs and pay amid the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, beauty influencer Nikkie de Jager, who appeared on her talk show in January, claimed DeGeneres was particularly "cold" and gave preferential treatment to A-list guests.
DeGeneres' alleged bad reputation was further supported by Tom Majercak, a former bodyguard who protected DeGeneres at the 2014 Oscars. In an interview with Fox News, Majercak branded the host as "sly" and "demeaning".
Perhaps the moment the tide turned for Ellen – an intensely awkward interview with actress Dakota Johnson in November last year, in which Johnson publicly called Ellen out for not coming to her birthday party.
