Nova is the latest radio network to axe jobs amid COVID-19 recession

© Provided by Daily Mail
MailOnline logo

Nova has axed at least four staff members in the latest round of job cuts to affect the radio industry during the COVID-19 recession.

On Tuesday, Radio Today confirmed that the network had decided to cut local workdays in Brisbane and Adelaide.

This change will see Nova 106.9 hosts Katie Mattin and Jack Tree, and Nova 919 announcers Rosie Panetta and Jarrod Walsh depart the business or ‘possibly be redeployed’.

© Provided by Daily Mail
Job cuts: On Tuesday, Radio Today confirmed that Nova had decided to cut local workdays in Brisbane and Adelaide. Pictured: Nova hosts Kate Ritchie (who is not affected) and Jack Tree

The presenters were reportedly notified of the changes on Friday after their shifts.

In Sydney and Brisbane, Kent ‘Smallzy’ Small is now set to host afternoons, while Dan ‘DC’ Cassin will do mornings.

© Provided by Daily Mail
Changes: In Sydney and Brisbane, Kent ‘Smallzy’ Small (pictured) is now set to host afternoons, while Dan ‘DC’ Cassin will do mornings

Adelaide and Melbourne will see Jamie Row take on mornings, while Mel Tracina will host the afternoon shift.

Meanwhile, Perth is set to remain local, with Ross Wallman tackling mornings and Katie Lamb on afternoons.

Nova’s programming and marketing boss, Paul Jackson, told Radio Today the network had been forced to ‘review’ its business as a result of the pandemic. 

© Provided by Daily Mail
Official word: Nova’s programming and marketing boss, Paul Jackson (pictured), told Radio Today the network had been forced to ‘review’ its business as a result of the pandemic

‘It’s been a tough time for all media industries during COVID and as a result we’ve reviewed every aspect of our business, including programming, to ensure we continue to deliver our listeners with the best content, announcers and shows, in the most efficient way,’ he said.

‘As a result of this review we’ve looked carefully at all our Nova workday announcers and unfortunately this has resulted in some talented broadcasters being made redundant.’ 

It comes after SCA’s Hit Network announced last month that it was cutting 19 regional breakfast programs, leaving many communities without a local brekky team.

© Provided by Daily Mail
Restructure: It comes after SCA’s Hit Network announced last month that it was cutting 19 regional breakfast programs. The affected communities will now be serviced by larger regional shows, such as Hit101.3 Central Coast’s Gawndy & Ash Pollard

The affected breakfast shows will be replaced by syndicated broadcasts from larger regional stations, such as Hit101.3 Central Coast’s Gawndy & Ash Pollard.

The impacted radio hosts are reportedly being redeployed where possible, but some will be leaving the network.

It is yet to be confirmed how many employees are set to leave the business. 

© Provided by Daily Mail
New brekky show: The Gawndy & Ash Pollard breakfast show from Hit101.3 Central Coast will now be heard across most regional stations in New South Wales. Pictured: Ash Pollard

Southern Cross Austereo’s content boss, David Cameron, said at the time that the business had to ‘adapt’ to the COVID-19 recession. 

‘SCA has adapted to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 environment and will deliver a different programming model across our Hit regional network,’ he said. 

‘The changes will mean that unfortunately a number of our local breakfast shows will be impacted, and we would like to thank our dedicated and talented people who are affected today by this new approach.’ 

© Provided by Daily Mail
Sad reality: Southern Cross Austereo’s content boss, David Cameron, said at the time that the business had to ‘adapt’ to the COVID-19 recession


Read more