NOVA Entertainment has unveiled exciting new line-ups for its Sydney Breakfast and national Drive shows on the Nova FM Network, set to launch on Monday, February 9. This strategic move aims to invigorate the station’s programming and connect more deeply with audiences across Australia.
The new Sydney Breakfast show, Ricki-Lee & Tim, will be hosted by Ricki-Lee Coulter and Tim Blackwell. Known for their chemistry and engaging content, the duo plans to build on the legacy of Nova FM’s Sydney Breakfast shows by delivering a live and local program every weekday from 6am to 9am.
New Line-Up Details
Meanwhile, Nova’s national Drive show will see the launch of Fitzy, Wippa & Kate, hosted by Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald, Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli, and Kate Ritchie. This show will be broadcast live from 4pm to 6pm each weekday, reaching audiences across the country. Following the Drive show, Ricki-Lee & Tim will also host an hour-long national show from 6pm.
Ricki-Lee Coulter expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I’ve had so much fun working with Tim and Joel over the past few years and I am constantly blown away by how much people love our show all around the country. Stepping into Sydney Breakfast is a huge honour, and I can’t wait to wake up with Sydney and start every day making the people of this beautiful city smile.”
Behind the Scenes: Strategic Decisions
The announcement comes as part of a broader strategy by NOVA Entertainment to leverage its talent and create compelling content that resonates with listeners. Brendan Taylor, Nova Network’s Group Programming Director, emphasized the timing of this change, saying, “Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel have been a consistent number one show in their timeslot, and now is the right moment for a new sound for Sydney.”
He added, “Fitzy, Wippa and Kate are a powerhouse combination and their chemistry, humour, and heart resonate deeply with audiences. They’ve delivered excellent results together and this move to Drive allows us to share their magic with all of Australia.”
Reactions from Hosts and Industry Experts
Kate Ritchie, reflecting on her transition from Sydney Breakfast to the national Drive show, remarked, “I’ve absolutely loved my time with the boys on Sydney Breakfast and I’m thrilled we now get to share our show with all of Australia.” Her co-host Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli humorously noted, “Fourteen, fifteen, who knows how many years we’ve been doing breakfast? The time has come to share the love with the rest of the country.”
Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald echoed this sentiment, expressing pride in their achievements and excitement for the national reach.
“I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved with our audience in Sydney over the past 15 years, but equally excited to open up to our national family.”
Peter Charlton, CEO of NOVA Entertainment, highlighted the importance of consistency in their success, stating, “This evolution is all about continuing to give our incredible talent the perfect platforms to deliver great content, market-leading audiences, and trusted environments for our advertising partners.”
Looking Ahead
The move represents a significant shift in Nova’s programming strategy, aiming to strengthen its position in the competitive radio market. As the new shows prepare to launch, listeners can expect a blend of humor, heart, and engaging content that has become synonymous with Nova FM.
Ricki-Lee & Tim on Nova 96.9 Sydney can be heard weekdays from 6am-9am, starting Monday, February 9. National listeners can also tune into the show across the Nova Network every weekday from 6pm-7pm. Fitzy, Wippa & Kate will be on air weekdays from 4pm-6pm. Listeners can also stream the shows live or catch up with the daily podcast on the Nova Player.
