Nova has unveiled the next phase of its major programming shake-up, announcing Joel Creasey will launch a new national lunchtime show across the Nova Network from April, extending the broadcaster’s push to build scale and commercial inventory deeper into the workday.
The Joel Creasey Show will air live nationwide on weekdays, giving Nova a new personality-led appointment between breakfast and drive, and moving Creasey out of his long-running Drive role with Ricki-Lee and Tim Blackwell.
The announcement also puts to bed weeks of industry speculation about Creasey’s future, after reports suggested he was heading back to Perth.
“The family WhatsApp was a buzz”, Creasey said on air.
Ricki-Lee shot back: “I mean, you are renovating an apartment in Melbourne.”
Creasey leaned into the chaos. “So that should be a little giveaway, right? And, you know, I like to hobnob around the country as you know, I was born in Sydney… I was raised in Perth. I live in Melbourne.”
“You’re a woman of the world!” Ricki-Lee replied.
“I am, I am. I like to get around, you know, the People’s Prince, some might say. Currently, I am guest-hosting the Perth Breakfast show with the legendary Nathan, Nat and Shaun. They have broken records. It’s incredible. I grew up listening to them, and it’s been an honour to be filling in, but I am just a guest fill-in on that show for the next little while,” Creasey said.
“So while you guys change over, there will be a little break for me, but I’m a working show gal, you’ll still be able to listen to me on Perth breakfast, and that is not the announcement, nor am I joining Chrissie Swan, so you’re safe, Jack Charles!”
Creasey said that he was “very much inspired” by Swan, revealing that he was “going solo”.
“You’ll be able to hear the Joel Creasey Show nationally at lunchtimes. And yeah, I guess the boss has figured the world is already on fire. Let’s just pour more gasoline onto it and see what chaos he can cause!”
A new daytime commercial play
Nova Network Group Programming Director Brendan Taylor said Creasey had already proven his value in Drive.
“Joel has been instrumental to the success of Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel, which has consistently held the number one spot in its timeslot. We’re thrilled to announce this new show. Joel is an immensely talented broadcaster and comedian, and this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase his talents in an entirely new part of the day. We’re excited to add another world-class talent to our new weekday line-up.”
Nova Entertainment CEO Peter Charlton said the move was also about building new advertiser-friendly listening windows.
“Nova has proven, with the success of The Chrissie Swan Show, an ability to create new opportunities to listen in the workday. Joel is an enormous talent, and this new lunchtime show highlights our commitment to great content for listeners and new commercial opportunities for brands.”
“It’s going to sound very different”
On air, Creasey framed lunch as his natural habitat.
“And when you think about it, lunch time for you is kind of breakfast radio for you… we’re all kind of getting up earlier,” Tim Blackwell said.
“You’ve got your own version of breakfast!” Ricki-Lee added.
“I really do! That is my breakfast,” Creasey replied.
Ricki-Lee continued: “I love that. How exciting. So you have your own Joel Creasy national show on Nova. Don’t fret, everybody. You’re still gonna get your Joel Creasey fix.”
“Yeah, and it’s not starting for a little while. I’ve got some things to put in place, and I know it’s very cliche and people feel like it’s gonna sound really different. It’s gonna sound really different. But you have worked me for a long time. Me solo? Oh, it’s gonna sound very different!” Creasey said.
Blackwell couldn’t resist: “Would you like me to teach you how to panel?”
“… I’m auditioning panelists at the moment. I’ve got Oprah and Gail fighting it out,” Creasey shot back.
Tim Blackwell, Ricki-Lee Coulter.
The wider Nova reshuffle
Creasey’s move is part of a broader network reset that kicks off on Monday, February 9.
Ricki-Lee & Tim will take over Sydney Breakfast on Nova 96.9, while Fitzy, Wippa & Kate will become Nova’s new national Drive show, airing from 4pm to 6pm across Australia.
Creasey is currently appearing as a guest host on Nova Perth’s Breakfast show as the network bridges into his April lunchtime launch.