DMG ends Nova 969’s Merrick & Dools Breakfast Show
Nova 969’s Merrick & Dools Breakfast Show will go to air for the last time next Friday, dmg has announced.
Merrick Watts, who has hosted the breakfast show slot since the station’s inception 10 years ago, will remain at Nova along with co-host Scott Dooley, however their new roles have not been announced.
The ratings survey released this month saw the show’s share jump from 5.3% in the previous survey to 6.4%. Industry rumours suggested Sydney drive-time hosts Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli (Fitzy & Wippa) would take over the show had it not rated well.
Paul Jackson, dmg Radio group program director, told Mumbrella: “It’s not about an individual survey, we look at this over an extended period of time. We’re always thinking about what is the best output we can make and the best line-up we can put up.”
When asked to shed light on rumours of Fitzy & Wippa taking over, Jackson said: “The announcement will be made on Friday at 8. I can’t say anything before then.”
The announcement is one of six changes to the station’s Sydney breakfast show in just over three years.
Good move and will definitely shake up the pretty tired Sydney FM breakfast market
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If Fitzy and Wippa do go into Nova breakfast show its game on! They are the 2 funniest blokes on radio now
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Wow. This is certainly going to make us re-think things. It makes me a little nervous. But enough of that now I’m going to write a whole heap of negative things about my competitor
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I think dmg are shooting themselves in the foot again. They’ve mucked about with the breakfast program since Rosso left and never given their audience time to get to know the new co-hosts before they pull them for another lot. Audiences lose faith in the brand when you start doing that.
Bringing Kate Ritchie in was a mistake from the start though.
I for one will be tuning out of NOVA permanently if Fitzy & Wippa take the slot – 2 of the biggest bogans and most irritating people on radio.
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I reckon Brisbane is losing Meshel Laurie to Sydney, whether to Breakfast or Drive.
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shivers
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Dools should never have left Triple J- he was heaps funnier when he was given more license to be himself. That and Suffa from the Hilltop Hoods’ regular film review segment.
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Note to Merrick.
-Talking loud does not make you funny.
-Sounding funny does not make you funny.
-Thinking of funny things to say and then saying them does make you funny.
therefore, you are not funny. Now go away.
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And across town Rosso quietly smiles to himself…
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Imagine an FM breakfast show that was not overproduced with fake laughter, loud laughter and forced talking points.
Sounds Different?
Rick Melbourne, Uncle Doug, Ian McRae, Wendy and Peter?
Hire some good talent and don’t employ more than one producer.
Here’s your chance Nova………………………..go for it!
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I reckon this is a smart move by nova. Any change they made around Merrick came with baggage. By changing the show completely it’s a reset and fresh start in breakfast. Personally I’m looking forward to seeing how it pans out
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At least Nova isnt getting rid of him all together. He is a huge asset to the station.
Absolutly adore Merrick and Dools- they will be missed ALOT!
Fingers crossed Fitzy & Wippa DO NOT go in that slot. Although, whoever does take their spot it will at least still be better then 2Day FM.
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Wow, there really is no competition for 2Day FM now.
Fitzy and Wippa would be terrible and you can’t bookend the day with bogans by putting Meshel Laurie in the slot.
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From what used to be a cool media company with some of the smartest and funnest people in the industry, it is so sad to see what they have done in the last 12 months. All the work of a certain new owner and its familiy name synonomous with unethical ways and lack of appreciation for true talent.
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2dayfm have made a lot of money by putting a bogan at a bookend.
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Note to @Rushie
1. You are not funny or whitty,
2. Your are an AwesomeTr00L gall bladder
3. Please stop leaving n003 comments, go back to Twitter
that is All
Merrick = FUNNY
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DMG talked us through their line up today and I gotta say its the strongest line up we’ve seen on nova for a long time. We predict a good year for most of their Nova stations next year
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@steve ironic statement given 2day is full of bogans masquerading in bentleys and dating horrors
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Well Nova Brisbane is making an announcement at the same time (8am Friday).
Here are some thoughts I reckon might happen.
Sydney Brekky: Marty Sheargold, Tim Blackwell & Meshel Laurie (All Nova 106.9)
OR Fitzy, Wippa & Meshel
Then Mez and Dools or Marty and Tim could do drive?
Who knows, but super keen to find out!
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DMG have been talking up their line up and programming for 95.3 and 969 for years now.
I bet that next year both stations will rate about the same as they do now.
What makes me say that?
The last five years of ratings data for 95.3 and the last two years of 969s ratings. Evidence based predictions are more scientifcially realistic than mere guesses.
I take this all back if 969 actually does something diferrent at breakfast. Or if they do something different musically to 2Day.
Waiting, waiting, waiting………………..
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It amazes me that DMG continues to fight the same old contrived war with 2Day.
What they should do is embrace the next generation. Reduce the amount of fake programming, tired pranks and stunts and engage with the people. Provide some interface for user contributions to programming and interaction with the show. Listeners will define what is programming not some old programming computer
I have removed all Nova stations from my car radio which is the only access point from which I would ever have accidentally listened to Nova. As soon as an internet device is available for use in cars I think the it will put significant pressure on 2Day and be the final nail in the coffin for Nova
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@AgencyGirl – that’s not a high bar…
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@delusional and social media will kill mass media and TV is dead and the interweb will take over the world. Get your gen y head out of your…. Content works across all channels and the best content wins. You’re right you are delusional
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Who is this Merrick chap – do people still actually listen to radio?
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Bring back charlie and carrie that filled in from the seven pm project. At least they had something intelligent to say – and were v funny too
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