Just days after Nova confirmed its breakfast show with Chrissie Swan, Sam Pang and Jonathan Brown was ending after seven years, its replacement hosts have been announced.
From January 2023, Melbourne’s popular Nova 100 will be fronted by broadcasters Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton, who currently run the same timeslot on Nova 919 in Adelaide.
The duo will be joined by their longtime producer Belle Jackson, with the show being called, Ben, Liam and Belle.
The news was announced on both stations this morning.
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“We’re all so grateful for the opportunity to wake up to the people of Melbourne every day – we love the city and can’t wait to call it home. Melbourne has the most competitive radio market in Australia and we’re looking forward to prove ourselves against some of the biggest shows in the country,” Harvey said.
It comes after Nova’s announcement that the Chrissie, Sam and Browny show would come to an end this year sent shockwaves through the industry, given the trio’s continued success.
However, it was revealed on Thursday that Swan is staying with the Nova family and will host her own national radio show from January 2023 titled The Chrissie Swan Showis broadcast weekdays from 2 to 4 p.m.
“It was a dream come true to be part of Melbourne’s Nova breakfast show and connect with our listeners,” Swan said in a statement.
“I’ve accomplished so much professionally and personally over the past seven years, and I’m excited to take this new opportunity to embrace a new audience across the country in this brand new timeslot.”
Elsewhere, Pang, who stars in Channel 10’s Have you been paying attention? confirmed that he is leaving the Nova network.
“I have loved my time at Nova and would like to thank everyone involved in the program over the past seven years,” said Pang. “I would especially like to thank the listeners for their support. It has been a wonderful experience. I’ve made lifelong friends and feel so lucky to have worked with such an amazing team.”
And AFL legend Browny said he will continue in his role with the Fox Footy team.
Meanwhile, Harvey and Stapleton’s move to the Melbourne show comes after a decade-long partnership between the pair, who first teamed up on Adelaide community station Fresh 92.7.
But his popularity soared after he jumped to Triple J in 2016, where his breakfast show experienced record ratings for the youth station.
They have been hosting Nova 919 in Adelaide since 2020.
Ben Latimer, head of programming for Nova 96.9, Nova 919 and National Shows, said he was delighted with his appointment.
“We knew Ben and Liam were talented radio broadcasters with great potential when they joined the Nova Network three years ago. They had built an incredible following during their time as Triple J’s national breakfast show before moving to se at Nova 919 in Adelaide, with his long-time producer Belle,” said Latimer.
“Over the past few years, the proud Melbournian Belle has taken a more prominent role on air and, combined with Ben and Liam’s chemistry, compelling storylines and quick humour, the breakfast show has delivered exceptional results in a short time . We can’t wait to share his unique show with Melbourne listeners.”
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