Jase and Lauren announce new home after KIIS dumping

Breakfast radio duo Jason Hawkins and Lauren Phillips, better known as Jase & Lauren, have announced their next move, after being dumped by ARN’s KIIS station last year to make way for Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson’s inaugural Melbourne show.

The duo will host Nova 100’s new Melbourne breakfast show, replacing current trio Ben, Liam & Belle, however a start date is yet to be confirmed.

(L-R): Jase & Lauren

Known to Melbourne listeners after joining KIIS in 2021, the duo have firmly established themselves as a leading breakfast show, having led to record ratings figures by the time the show concluded last year.

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Brendon Taylor, group programming director for the Nova Network, said: “Lauren and Jase are world-class radio broadcasters and their track record speaks for itself.

“As hosts of the second-highest rating show in Melbourne, we knew their blend of humous, honesty and chemistry would feel right at home on the Nova network.

“We had to pursue this opportunity and not let a great team disappear from the airways,” he continued. “The timing was right and they’re such a natural fit for us. We can’t wait to welcome them to the Nova family.”

Last year, ARN signed a “historic” deal with radio duo Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson that will see them enter the Melbourne market, alongside Sydney.

The deal, where the duo will remain with KIIS for another decade, comes amidst ARN’s takeover bid for SCA that would see the network create a “focused” metro radio network of 10 stations across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth with each city featuring a KIIS and Triple M brand.

Phillips said of the move: “I’m beyond excited to be joining the Nova family. I’ve been a longtime fan of the station and to be joining Nova 100 really is a dream come true.

“I’ve made the most of having a few months off, but my plans of becoming a professional dog walker are now on hold, and I’m so ready to get back to work with Jase here in Melbourne.”

Hawkins joked that he’s thrilled to not be unemployed anymore.

“I’m wrapped to have a job again. I’m even more over the moon that we get to join Nova,” he said.

“My whole career, I have always wanted to be a part of this network, it’s the perfect fit for Loz and I. So, I’m sorry Nova, we’re never leaving. Melbourne, we’re back. So join us and come over to Nova.”

The duo will replace current Nova breakfast trio Ben, Liam & Belle, who will move to host a brand new national show on the Nova network, ‘Late Drive’, from 6-8pm weekdays.

“Ben, Liam and Belle are an incredibly talent hosting team and we knew they had great potential when they joined the Nova Network straight from triple j’s national breakfast show back in 2020,” Taylor said.

“They’ve since delivered some outstanding results and have developed a great connection to their audience during their time with the network,” he continued. “We’re excited they’ll be back at the helm of this newly created Late Drive show and taking their unique content back to a national audience.”

The trio said they’re excited for this next step.

“During our time at Nova, we’ve always aimed to entertain as well as support our listeners and community, so to be hosting a national show together is a dream,” they said.

“We’re pumped that we’ll be able to connect with even more listeners around the country.”

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