Nova 100 has announced it will continue its longstanding partnership with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for the 12th consecutive year when it kicks off next Wednesday.

Nova 100’s Chrissie, Sam & Browny will hold a live outside broadcast on Wednesday from 6am at the Melbourne Town Hall (Lower Town Hall) to celebrate the launch of the festival, and will also showcase over 30 comedy shows and interview some of the featured comedians throughout the event.

Nova 100 and ahm Health Insurance will present the Hits & Giggles comedy gala event, featuring some of Australia’s freshest new comic talent on Saturday 8 April at The Forum Theatre from 5pm. Guests can only win tickets to this exclusive event by heading to novafm.com.au or listening to Nova 100.

For the first time, Nova will also launch the Comedy Kombi to take comedy to the streets by putting on free pop-up comedy gigs in suburbs throughout Melbourne.

Greg Burns, Nova 100’s morning announcer, will appear alongside two international comedians for Best of the Edinburg Fest at the Forum Theatre and Melbourne Town Hall.

 Friday Funnies (but not always on a Friday) will see Nova 100 roll out intimate and exclusive stand-up shows for key agencies and clients throughout April, delivering a unique and comedic take on the standard office drinks.

Furthermore, Nova will feature ticket giveaways to shows on the circuit and will cover the festival online with reviews, highlights and videos, pop-up comedy and interviews.

Peter Colosimo, NOVA Entertainment’s general manager for Melbourne, said: “We love this time of year and are delighted to again partner with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. This partnership is one of our most rewarding and longstanding relationships and gives us the opportunity to provide listeners and clients access to some of the most talented, established and up-and-coming comedians around the country.”