Nova 100
| Company type | Commercial broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | December 3, 2001 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Headquarters | South Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Owner | Nova Entertainment |
| Website | www |
Nova 100 (call sign: 3MEL) is a commercial broadcaster based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, transmitting on the 100.3 MHz frequency. It is part of the NOVA Entertainment portfolio and shares ownership with its sister station, smoothfm 91.5.
History
Nova 100 began transmission at 7 am on Monday, 3 December 2001, becoming Melbourne’s first new commercial radio outlet in over two decades. The inaugural on-air voice was breakfast host Kate Langbroek, with Missy Elliott’s track "Get Ur Freak On" serving as the first song played.
The station’s original morning program, Hughesy, Kate & Dave, featured hosts Dave Hughes, Kate Langbroek, and Dave O'Neil. In July 2006, O'Neil left to join Vega 91.5, while Hughes and Langbroek continued their roles until November 2013.
Nova 100 initially embraced a 'Sounds Different' format, focusing on alternative, hip-hop, pop, and dance genres with an emphasis on fresh releases. However, in 2010, it transitioned to an Adult Contemporary format to directly challenge Australian Radio Network’s KIIS 101.1. That same year, the station increased commercial advertising during peak periods from 12 to 21 spots per hour.
In December 2013, the breakfast show lineup changed as Meshel Laurie and Tommy Little succeeded Hughes and Langbroek with Meshel & Tommy. After their departure at the end of 2015, Nova introduced a new morning team comprising Chrissie Swan, Sam Pang, and Jonathan Brown, launching Chrissie, Sam & Browny in January 2016. Concurrently, Meshel Laurie moved to KIIS 101.1.
December 2016 marked a shift when Nova network personalities Greg Burns and Dan Cassin from Sydney's Nova 96.9 replaced the local presenters at Nova 100.
Although Nova 100 has not yet achieved the top position in overall ratings according to the GfK surveys, it holds the leading spot among women aged 45–54 and ranks fourth nationally for its drive-time show Kate, Tim & Marty.
In April 2019, Nova refreshed its daytime lineup by adding Matt Tilley, who remained until November of that year.
On 21 October 2022, Nova announced the conclusion of Chrissie, Sam & Browny after a seven-year run, with their final broadcast airing on 2 December. The following Monday, 5 December 2022, saw the debut of a new breakfast team Ben, Liam & Belle, featuring Ben Harvey, Liam Stapleton, and Belle Jackson.
In January 2023, Nova 100 moved its studios from its longtime location at 678 Victoria Street in Richmond (shared with smoothfm 91.5) to new premises at 257 Clarendon Street in South Melbourne—previously occupied by Southern Cross Austereo’s stations Fox FM and Triple M.
In February 2024, Nova Entertainment revealed that Jase & Lauren would take over as Nova 100’s new breakfast show hosts in Melbourne. Meanwhile, the existing team of Ben, Liam & Belle will transition to hosting a national drive program across the entire Nova Network.
Transmission
Nova 100 transmits on the FM band at 100.3 MHz from the TXA Observatory Rd tower situated on Mount Dandenong. The station utilizes a Broadcast Electronics FM 10S transmitter equipped with an FXi digital exciter, operating at an output power of 9.5KW and delivering an effective radiated power (ERP) of 56 kW.
Announcers
- Jase & Lauren, 6:00am–9:00am
- Mel Tracina, 9:00am–2:00pm
- The Chrissie Swan Show, 2:00pm–4:00pm
- Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel, 4:00pm–6:00pm
- Ben, Liam & Belle, 6:00pm–8:00pm
- Smallzy's Surgery, 8:00pm–10:00pm
- The Maddy Rowe Aus Music Show, 10:00pm–12:00am
- Nova Nation airs on weekend evenings and late Friday nights
- Jase & Lauren broadcast nationwide on Sunday mornings
News
- Clint Stanaway (Breakfast)
- Michelle Stephenson (National News Manager)