Paul Jackson talks Nova lineup ‘tweaks’ in Sydney and Melbourne

Matt De Groot, Sarah McGilvray & Matty 'J' Johnson

Nova Sydney and Melbourne have entered 2020 with multiple lineup changes.

Kent ‘Smallzy’ Small has jumped from Mornings to Afternoons on Nova 96.9 Sydney, now on-air between 12pm and 3pm weekdays, in addition to Nights.

“It’s just a tweak in terms of the lineup,” says Paul Jackson, NOVA Entertainment’s chief programming and marketing officer. “I think for Smallzy’s life and sanity … it made sense for a move to afternoons.”

The change also means that Small’s top-rating Nights show, Smallzy’s Surgery, is back to broadcasting live after celebrating 51 consecutive metro survey wins last November.

The switch sees Dan ‘DC’ Cassin return to Mornings, on-air between 9am and 12pm in Sydney.

Smallzy with global superstar Katy Perry

There are also two new pre-brekky shows in Sydney and Melbourne for early risers and shift workers.

In Sydney, Matt De Groot and Sarah McGilvray are on-air between 5am and 6am, leading into Fitzy & Wippa.

“They’ve been very impressive,” says Jackson. “We are measuring our ratings performance on all radio stations from 5.30am already, so it makes sense.”

De Groot and McGilvray, with The Bachelor‘s Matty ‘J’ Johnson, continue their Saturday Breakfast show.

“Sarah and Matt have worked hard to evolve and act together and it’s extremely good and entertaining,” he adds.

In Melbourne, Chrissie, Sam & Browny anchor Dean ‘Deano’ Thomas has teamed up with producer Jack Charles for a 30-minute radio showdown at 5.30am on Nova 100.

“Deano is a key part of Chrissie, Sam & Browny and Jack’s a real superstar for us,” says Jackson. “Jack’s a super talented guy and producer of their show.

“It’s a great team spirit and camaraderie there in Melbourne,” he adds.

Both shows began quietly in February and their early impact will be seen –at least in part – when the first GfK survey results for the year are released on March 10.

Two-thirds of Nova’s drive team, Tim Blackwell and Kate Ritchie

Kate, Tim & Marty, who have held the position as the number one national drive show for 22 consecutive surveys, get a third hour in 2020.

Tim Blackwell will go live at 3pm for an hour of “best bits” before co-hosts Kate Ritchie and Marty Sheargold join at 4pm.

After a year-long trial in Adelaide, Jackson believes “people want more” of the trio on their drive home, with the three o’clock hour featuring more music up against KIIS FM’s 3PM Pick-Up and Hit Network’s Carrie & Tommy.

“We rolled this out in Adelaide last year and wanted to see the longer-term impact on that,” says Jackson.

“We’ve got one of the most popular [Drive] shows in the country and its been at the peak of its power for a number of years now, and has dominant ratings in each market.

The point of difference, says Jackson, is “just the right balance of music and content”.

“It worked brilliantly in Adelaide, so we felt it was the right time to roll it out around the country.”