Effectively-placed sources have instructed Mediaweek that Nova is getting ready a significant nationwide realignment of its on-air line-up this 12 months, with plans in movement to maneuver Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie out of Sydney Breakfast and into nationwide Drive.
Underneath the proposed construction, Ricki-Lee Coulter and Tim Blackwell would take over Breakfast, changing the present Fitzy & Wippa and Kate Ritchie workforce, whereas Joel Creasey is predicted to shift right into a full-time position at Nova Perth, leaving the Sydney present.
If confirmed, the modifications would symbolize one among Nova’s most vital programming strikes in years, resetting its two most commercially necessary dayparts – Breakfast and Drive – throughout the community.
How the proposed line-up would change
The plan would successfully see Nova execute a straight nationwide reshuffle of its two greatest exhibits.
• Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie would transfer from Sydney Breakfast to nationwide Drive
• Ricki-Lee Coulter and Tim Blackwell would transfer from Drive into Breakfast
• Joel Creasey would relocate to Nova Perth in a full-time on-air position
The shift would see Ricki-Lee and Tim entrance the Breakfast program with out Joel, whereas Fitzy, Wippa and Kate would develop into Nova’s key Drive providing nationally.
Brendan Taylor beforehand denied comparable rumours
Nova Community Group Programming Director Brendan Taylor was requested about this precise state of affairs by Mediaweek in September final 12 months, when hypothesis about Fitzy & Wippa transferring to Drive and Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel shifting to Breakfast first emerged.
On the time, Taylor rejected the concept main modifications have been imminent.
“Look, it’s that point of 12 months. I obsess over our exhibits, and there’s little doubt I’m continually excited about what our long-term success is. There’s fixed curiosity and speak about what shall be subsequent, however the numbers we’re delivering right now present that each one our groups are in a very robust place.
“Relating to the rumours, I don’t purchase into them. When there’s one thing to say, we’ll say it. However proper now, I’ll simply depart it at that – rumours,” he stated.
Community-wide implications
Sources counsel that cost-cutting is behind the present plan, which is being thought of as a network-wide nationwide realignment, fairly than a Sydney-only adjustment, with Nova reviewing how its greatest manufacturers are deployed throughout key markets.
Mediaweek has reached out to Nova for remark.
