Dean Buchanan departs DMG

DMG Radio’s programming director Dean Buchanan is to leave the network after a decade in the role, the company said today.

DMG’s main radio brands are Nova and Classic Rock, which recently replaced Vega.  

Buchanan issued a statement saying: “I have loved my time with DMG and in particular the development of the Nova Network from inception. After 10 years it is time to have fresh ears and direction on the brand, and itʼs a good time for me to pursue new challenges. DMG is a great company and Iʼll always be grateful for the opportunity to work with so many talented people. There have been some amazing highlights over the last decade and I look forward to watching the team and the brand continue to reach new heights in the future.”

DMG CEO Cathy OʼConnor said: “We thank Dean for his significant contribution to DMG over the past 10 years and wish him all the best for the future. He has played an important role in the development of our brands.”

This week saw a set of mainly mediocre results for DMG in the radio ratings survey. Last year Buchanan told Mumbrella surveys are his “eight worst days of the year” (4m.02s)

No replacement for Buchanan has yet been announced.

Tim Burrowes

Tim Burrowes founded Mumbrella in 2008. He worked on Mumbrella until 2021. At various points he was editor, content director and editor-at-large. He returned to Mumbrella as Publisher in January 2025

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topics Classic Rock Dean Buchanan DMG Nova radio ratings Vega

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Comments: 5

Nick 12 Aug 10

“Drive time shows need to be entertaining and give people traffic and weather updates”

Breakthrough thinking.

Hmmmmm Dean leaves a few days after the ratings come out.

I think Murdoch’s is in the building.

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mumbrella 12 Aug 10

Hi Nick,

I feel a certain degree of sympathy for Dean over this. Whenever you choose to leave, it’s likely to be either before or after a set of ratings. And unless you happen to have just had the best set in history, every station is number one in every market, questions will be asked about the timing.

I’ve no inside knowledge, but we should probably at least allow for the simple possibility that after ten years he fancies something new.

Cheers,

Tim – Mumbrella

Nick 13 Aug 10

Hi Tim,
I do not know Dean and wish him well, changing jobs is always stressful (and exciting at the same time). He always come across as a nice guy in interviews. Nova certainly changed the Sydney radio scene for the better. I love dance music and before 969 it was a rarity on Sydney radio.

I simply wanted to point out there have been quite a few changes at DMG since Murdoch entered the fray. Classic Rock, 2 ads in a row gone, Dean leaving…….

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Tim 13 Aug 10

Dean,

Thanks for your support of Musicoz and our Australian Music Awards. It was appreciated as was your friendly support.

Thanks and we wish you all the best in a new challenge.

Pat, Tim and The Musicoz Crew

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Lom 17 Aug 10

Dean “resigning” had to happen, Nova has lost it’s identity this year, which is a great shame as it was such a strong brand, now it’s a bit of a joke in the industry.

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