{"id":257242,"date":"2026-01-29T07:04:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T07:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/257242\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T07:04:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T07:04:09","slug":"major-network-changes-on-the-way-for-nova","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/257242\/","title":{"rendered":"Major network changes on the way for Nova"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Well-placed sources have told Mediaweek that Nova is preparing a major national realignment of its on-air line-up this year, with plans in motion to move Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie out of Sydney Breakfast and into national Drive.<\/p>\n

Under the proposed structure, Ricki-Lee Coulter and Tim Blackwell would take over Breakfast, replacing the current Fitzy & Wippa and Kate Ritchie team, while Joel Creasey is expected to shift into a full-time role at Nova Perth, leaving the Sydney show.<\/p>\n

If confirmed, the changes would represent one of Nova\u2019s most significant programming moves in years, resetting its two most commercially important dayparts \u2013 Breakfast and Drive \u2013 across the network.<\/p>\n

How the proposed line-up would change<\/p>\n

The plan would effectively see Nova execute a straight national reshuffle of its two biggest shows.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie would move from Sydney Breakfast to national Drive<\/p>\n

\u2022 Ricki-Lee Coulter and Tim Blackwell would move from Drive into Breakfast<\/p>\n

\u2022 Joel Creasey would relocate to Nova Perth in a full-time on-air role<\/p>\n

The shift would see Ricki-Lee and Tim front the Breakfast program without Joel, while Fitzy, Wippa and Kate would become Nova\u2019s key Drive offering nationally.<\/p>\n

\"Brendan<\/p>\n

Brendan Taylor previously denied similar rumours<\/p>\n

Nova Network Group Programming Director Brendan Taylor was asked about this exact scenario by Mediaweek in September last year, when speculation about Fitzy & Wippa moving to Drive and Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel shifting to Breakfast first emerged.<\/p>\n

At the time, Taylor rejected the idea that major changes were imminent.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, it\u2019s that time of year. I obsess over our shows, and there\u2019s no doubt I\u2019m constantly thinking about what our long-term success is. There\u2019s constant interest and talk about what will be next, but the numbers we\u2019re delivering today show that all our teams are in a really strong position.
\u201cWhen it comes to the rumours, I don\u2019t buy into them. When there\u2019s something to say, we\u2019ll say it. But right now, I\u2019ll just leave it at that \u2013 rumours,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Network-wide implications<\/p>\n

Sources suggest that cost-cutting is behind the current plan, which is being considered as a network-wide national realignment, rather than a Sydney-only adjustment, with Nova reviewing how its biggest brands are deployed across key markets.<\/p>\n

Mediaweek has reached out to Nova for comment.<\/p>\n

Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the\u00a0Mediaweek\u00a0Morning Report\u00a0\u2013 delivered for free every morning to your inbox.<\/a><\/p>\n

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