It’s a great time to be a country artist with radio and DAB+ providing platforms for local and international acts to shine. Even The Wiggles have released a country album showing just how deeply country has permeated pop culture.
In Australia, Brisbane will get another DAB+ country station from NOVA Entertainment, with Nova Fresh Country now available. Nova Fresh Country debuted on the Nova Player in June 2024 with the move to DAB+ the next step in NOVA digital radio expansion to provide a greater array of genre-focused stations.
Nova Fresh Country will feature chart-topping global country stars like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson rising names like Bailey Zimmerman and cross over act Jelly Roll, plus home-grown acts, with plenty of Queensland artists like Bella Mackenzie, Amy Sheppard, Homegrown Trio, Sara Berki and Travis Collins featured.
Scott Baker-Smith, Head of Music at Nova Network, said:
“The response to Nova Fresh Country since its launch has been amazing. Country music has blended into the Nova playlists for some time now, with artists pushing the boundaries and redefining what both pop and country sound like today. That’s exactly why we created Nova Fresh Country; to give fans a dedicated space for the country music they love, while reflecting how the genre is evolving. If you enjoy the country songs you hear on the Nova Network, you’ll love Nova Fresh Country.”
With the ABC, commercial and community stations already embracing the genre, alongside flourishing festivals like The Tamworth Country Music Festival and The Gympie Muster, Nova Fresh Country joins on DAB+ in Brisbane MMM Country, ABC Country and iHeartCountry.
The latter has also expanded across the ditch with New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) today launching iHeartCountry New Zealand. Ad-free for now, iHeartCountry New Zealand will be available on iHeartRadio and broadcast across FM frequencies in Auckland, Northland, Gisborne, Nelson, Christchurch, West Coast and Wānaka.
The new station too will celebrate global country music superstars alongside New Zealand talent such as Kaylee Bell.
Jason Winstanley, NZME Chief Audio Officer said:
“We’re so excited to be launching iHeartCountry New Zealand, filling what we see as a significant gap in our local audio landscape. Country music is experiencing a massive surge in growth globally, with mainstream audiences embracing the genre like never before.
Recent sold out shows from artists like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen and Chris Stapleton in New Zealand demonstrates the strong and growing appetite for country music here. NZME is proud to be a trailblazer in introducing a dedicated country music station to the market and I have no doubt it’s going to be hugely popular.”
Legendary NZ concert promoter Brent Eccles from Eccles Entertainment said:
“Yes…! I’ve been telling anyone who will listen for a couple of years now, that someone should start a country music station in NZ and it makes me feel all warm inside that it’s finally being done. Lots of great country artists are coming down to New Zealand and Australia now and this will be compelling reason to have them play here. Add to this our amazing local country talent and it all adds up to a bloody good idea.”
Listeners can now tune in to iHeartCountry New Zealand on iHeartRadio or via:
• Auckland – 105.4 FM
• Northland – 95.6 FM
• Nelson – 104.0 FM
• Christchurch – 91.7 FM
• Gisborne – 88.3 FM
• West Coast – Greymouth 91.5 FM & 97.1 FM, Reefton 99.9 FM, Westport 92.5 FM
• Wānaka – 104.2 FM
Nova Fresh Country is on DAB+ in Brisbane or across Australia on the Nova Player and at novafm.com.au.