Nick Cody joins Fox FM breakfast for 2021 as Byron Cooke departs
Southern Cross Austereo has announced changes to its breakfast lineup at 101.9 Fox FM in Melbourne, with Nick Cody to join the show from 2021.
Cody has spent the last two years with SCA in Brisbane as a co-host of Triple M breakfast, and his move to Melbourne signals the departure of long time anchor and co-host Byron Cooke from Fox.
Fifi, Brendan and Nick will host Fox FM breakfast in 2020
Stand-up comedian Cody will join Fifi Box and Brendan Fevola on the show next year, and the former said he’s excited to return to his native Victoria.
“I’m so pumped to be joining Fifi and Fevola in 2021! Fifi is an absolute legend and let’s be honest, there is only one bloke that can keep up with one of the best full forwards of all time and that is me – 1999’s Werribee Under 12’s third best and fairest,” he said.
“It’s insane that they’ve let a kid from Hoppers Crossing join the breakfast show on the biggest radio station in the country. 2020 was a hectic year for Melburnians but we are on our way back to the life we love.”
The addition of Cody to the show comes after a poor 2020 result in the GfK radio ratings compared to the lofty standards Fifi, Fev and Byron set over the years.
As recently as 2019 the show was rating in double digits and was the #1 FM breakfast show in the market, a position it occupied on several occasions over the past few years.
But as of survey seven this year, the second book to follow the ratings lock-down period, Fifi, Fev and Byron had fallen to a 5% share.
Fifi and Fev celebrate a #1 ratings survey
Box and Fevola both said they’re looking forward to having Cody join the show.
“I’m a huge fan of Nick. He’s such an exciting, hilarious comedian setting the comedy world on fire and I know we’re going to have so much fun in the studio. He also has a very impressive beard,” Box said.
“I thought I was the funny one, but I hate to admit it, The Fox has found someone even funnier than me. I can’t wait for Nick to start in 2021, he’s unreal!” Fevola added.
Box has been in the slot since 2014, with Fevola joining in 2016.
Cooke had anchored the show since 2016, and his name was first included in its title a year later.
In a statement, SCA said Cooke will depart to pursue “other projects he is passionate about”, with his last show to take place this Friday, November 27.
The Fox content director Amanda Lee said the lineup change is aimed at helping bring Melbourne back to life after a tough 2020.
“2020 has been the most extraordinary year. For most of it our shows were broadcasting from home and I couldn’t be prouder of them. Our team and our listeners have shown us there is nothing like Melbourne and we just love making a show for the people who live here,” she said.
“In 2021 we will be focused on nothing but fun and being part of bringing our city back to life. There will be no place like The Fox in 2021 and we are excited Nick is joining us for the celebrations.
“Fifi, Fev and Nick have a comfortable chemistry, are Melbourne born and bred and are ready to wrap their arms around the city and people they love.”
Cody’s move also leaves the breakfast lineup for Triple M Brisbane up in the air, while SCA is also yet to announce the lineups for Triple M Melbourne breakfast following the departure of Eddie McGuire, and the newly launched Triple M Perth.
This latest talent shakeup also means SCA will have at least five new breakfast shows in metro markets in 2020, including the recently announced 2Day FM breakfast show with Hughesy, Ed and Erin.
Dave ‘Hughesy’ Hughes and Ed Kavalee will make the move from national drive to Sydney breakfast next year, with SCA announcing this week the extension of Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little’s early drive show for an hour rather than bring in a new show to replace Hughesy and Ed.
Fox FM’s new Fifi, Fev and Nick breakfast show will debut on Monday, 18 January.
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Zanda Wilson was a reporter and podcast producer at Mumbrella, specialising in radio reporting. He left Mumbrella in September 2021.
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topics
Brendan Fevola
Byron Cooke
Fifi Box
Fifi Fev and Byron
Fox FM
Nick Cody
SCA
Southern Cross Austereo
Triple M Brisbane
