Nova’s popular breakfast program Fitzy and Wippa, starring Kate Ritchie, is facing a major shake-up that insiders fear could jeopardize the show’s momentum.
From early next year, long-time co-host Ryan “Fitzy” Fitzgerald, 47, will relocate to Adelaide with his family – but will continue to host the show remotely.
However, one industry insider fears the move could damage the undeniable chemistry between the co-hosts and potentially turn away listeners.
“Fitzy moving to Adelaide and doing the show from there is a big risk.” “The chemistry is never the same when the presenters are not in the same studio,” they told Yahoo.
“Nova will have to work hard to maintain the same energy so that long-distance transmission does not occur over the air.”
Nova’s popular breakfast program Fitzy and Wippa, starring Kate Ritchie, is set to undergo a major shake-up next year, which insiders fear could threaten the show’s momentum. Pictured from left to right: Ryan “Fitzy Fitzgerald”, Kate Ritchie and Michael “Wippa” Wipfli
They added that this was a particularly risky move because the hosts’ contracts might not be renewed if the show lost viewers as a result.
The show has been struggling for some time and earlier this month it was reported that the show’s ratings had fallen since Kate Ritchie, 45, joined in March.
The recently released Radio Ratings 2023 Survey 7 results showed the breakfast show had fallen 0.2 points from 7.3 to 7.1.
From early next year, long-time co-host Ryan “Fitzy” Fitzgerald, 47, will relocate to Adelaide with his family – but will continue to host the show remotely
Radio king Kyle Sandilands quickly offered his own theory as to why listeners are tuning out.
“What’s going on with Nova? “They put Kate Ritchie on the breakfast show with Fitzy and Wippa to try and make it not look like a boys’ club,” he began.
“Error, it’s only 7.1.” “It was at 7.3, it’s slowly decreasing.”
However, one industry insider fears the move could damage the undeniable chemistry between the co-hosts and potentially turn away listeners. “The chemistry is never the same when the hosts are not in the same studio,” they told Yahoo
And earlier this year Fitzy, Wippa and Kate were shocked when one of their beloved stars quit the live broadcast.
In November, long-time news anchor Matt de Groot announced he was stepping down from the post after 10 years.
An emotional de Groot, 35, held back tears as he surprised listeners with the news, revealing he will be moving to London with his family early next year.
They added that this was a particularly risky move because the hosts’ contracts might not be renewed if the show lost viewers as a result