Nova Entertainment
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media, Radio broadcasting |
| Predecessor | DMG Radio Australia |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Lachlan Murdoch (owner/controller) |
| Products | Commercial radio networks, digital media brands |
| Owner | Illyria Pty Ltd |
| Website | novaentertainment |
NOVA Entertainment is an Australian media company that manages commercial radio networks along with digital brands serving both metropolitan and regional areas across Australia.
The company is under the ownership of Illyria Pty Ltd, controlled by Lachlan Murdoch, which purchased the remaining 50% share from Daily Mail and General Trust in September 2012. NOVA Entertainment's core activities revolve around radio broadcasting and media-related services.
History
The origins of Nova Entertainment trace back to early 1996 when it was established as DMG Radio Australia. At that time, it acquired an 85% interest in Broadcast Media's regional radio stations for A$46 million. Soon after, the group expanded its portfolio by adding FIVEaa. The company’s first chairman was Charlie Cox, with Paul Thompson serving as CEO.
In September 2004, DMG Radio Australia sold the majority of its regional radio assets to Macquarie Group, keeping only Hot 91 Sunshine Coast (which was later sold in early 2005) and Star 104.5 based in Gosford.
Following a period of declining audience figures, on 21 May 2012, the stations 91.5 FM Melbourne and 95.3 FM Sydney were rebranded as smoothfm, aiming at women aged 35 and over with a format centered on smooth, easy-listening music.
In December 2013, DMG Radio introduced the pay-TV music channel Smooth on Foxtel, extending the smoothfm brand into television; this channel ceased broadcasting on 30 June 2020.
By February 2014, DMG Radio Australia transitioned to the name Nova Entertainment to better represent its expansion beyond traditional radio into wider media and entertainment fields, building upon the established Nova FM brand legacy.
Radio
NOVA Entertainment runs two national radio networks alongside various standalone stations throughout Australia via terrestrial broadcasts, digital platforms, and online streaming. All stations can be accessed through the Nova, Smooth, FIVEAA, or Star Player mobile applications.
NOVA
The Nova Network is a commercial adult contemporary radio group. Each FM station is either fully owned or operated by NOVA Entertainment (with Perth being a joint venture alongside ARN). Local Breakfast programs are produced in each market while daytime, drive-time, and evening shows are networked.
| Station | Callsign | Frequency | Location | Format | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nova 96.9 | 2SYD | 96.9 MHz DAB+ | Sydney, New South Wales | Top 40 (CHR) | ||
| Nova 100 | 3MEL | 100.3 MHz DAB+ | Melbourne, Victoria | Top 40 (CHR) | ||
| Nova 106.9 | 4BNE | 106.9 MHz DAB+ | Brisbane, Queensland | Top 40 (CHR) | ||
| Nova 93.7 | 6PER | 93.7 MHz DAB+ | Perth, Western Australia | Top 40 (CHR) | Joint venture with ARN | |
| Nova 91.9 | 5ADL | 91.9 MHz DAB+ | Adelaide, South Australia | Top 40 (CHR) | ||
| Nova Nation | N/A | DAB+ | Sydney, Melbourne | Dance radio | ||
| Nova Fresh Country | N/A | DAB+ | Brisbane | Country music format | ||
| Nova Throwbacks | N/A | DAB+ | Brisbane | '90s and '00s hits (Contemporary hit radio) | ||
| Nova Jamz | N/A | DAB+ | Adelaide | Rhythmic CHR format |
smoothfm
smoothfm launched in 2012 following a rebranding from Classic Rock. Since February 2020, it has adopted a Hot Adult Contemporary format featuring upbeat and dance-oriented music.
| Station | Callsign | Frequency | Location | Format | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| smooth 95.3 | 2PTV | 95.3 MHz DAB+ | Sydney, New South Wales | Hot AC | Formerly Vega 95.3 & Classic Rock 95.3 | |
| smooth 91.5 | 3PTV | 91.5 MHz DAB+ | Melbourne, Victoria | Hot AC | Previously Vega 91.5 & Classic Rock 91.5 | |
| smooth Brisbane | N/A | DAB+ | Brisbane, Queensland | Hot AC | ||
| smooth Perth | N/A | DAB+ | Perth, Western Australia | Hot AC | ||
| smooth Adelaide | N/A | DAB+ | Adelaide, South Australia | Hot AC | ||
| 'smooth Relax' | 'N/A' | 'DAB+' | 'Sydney, Melbourne' | 'Soft Adult Contemporary' | ||
| 'N/A' | 'DAB+' | 'Sydney, Melbourne' | Oldies | |
Independent Radio Stations
NOVA manages a variety of standalone radio outlets:
Coles Radio | N/A | DAB+ | Major metropolitan areas & Coles supermarket locations | Adult Contemporary | Marketed specifically for Coles Supermarkets Star 104.5 | 2GOS | 104.5 MHz FM DAB+ | Central Coast, NSW | Top 40 (CHR) | Previously affiliated with the Star FM network, now part of the Hit Network FIVEAA | 5AA | 1395 kHz AM DAB+ | Adelaide, SA | Talk radio | Collaborates with Nine Radio on news and sports content KIIS 97.3 | 4BFM | 97.3 MHz FM DAB+ | Brisbane, QLD | Top 40 (CHR) | Operated as a 50/50 partnership with ARN Media Priceline Radio | N/A | DAB+ | Sydney & Melbourne plus Priceline retail outlets | Adult Contemporary | Branded for Priceline stores Sky News Radio | N/A | DAB+ | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane | News talk | Audio simulcast from Sky News Australia| Station | Callsign | Frequency | Location | Format | Additional Information |
|---|
In addition, NOVA Entertainment streams the UK-based talkSPORT channel through its website and the NOVA Player application.
Additional Online Platforms
- novafm.com.au – digital portal offering news, music, and lifestyle content
- smooth.com.au – online destination for news, music, and lifestyle updates
- fiveaa.com.au – dedicated news website
- star1045.com.au – web portal featuring news, music, and lifestyle information
Foxtel Smooth
Foxtel Smooth was a pay-TV music channel broadcasting for 18 hours daily alongside Foxtel Arts on Foxtel’s satellite and cable networks. It launched on 3 December 2013 with a focus on easy listening adult contemporary tracks and discontinued operations on 30 June 2020.
GOAT
GOAT served as a pop culture, news, and entertainment site aimed at millennials but has been inactive since 2018.