Bridge's Newstalk ZB role confirmed

Newstalk ZB owner NZME has confirmed Ryan Bridge will join the station as early morning host, as reported by last month.

Bridge, pictured, will take up the role of Early Edition host, broadcasting from 5-6am weekdays, on Monday, July 8.

“Ryan is a popular, talented broadcaster with significant radio experience, extensive knowledge of local and global issues and a special ability to engage and connect with audiences,” NZME chief audio officer Jason Winstanley said. “I know our listeners will enjoy waking up to Ryan sharing the latest news and providing analysis of the stories making headlines each weekday morning.”

reported several weeks ago that Bridge was understood to be first in line for the role, which has been lacking a permanent host since Kate Hawkesby stood down after six years at the end of 2023.

Bridge was the host of Three’s AM from 2021 to 2023. When he stepped down, Three owner Warner Bros Discovery NZ announced that he would front a new 7pm current affairs show in 2024, but this was axed along with the rest of WBD NZ’s news operation, Newshub, in early April. He served as a business reporter on RNZ’s Morning Report, and hosted the drive show on Magic Talk, which later became Today FM, before joining The AM Show.

NZME chief executive Michael Boggs said Bridge’s appointment fits within NZME’s strategic goal to be No 1 in audio.

“We are focused on growing our audiences nationwide and to do this we need to have the very best on-air hosts who connect with our listeners every day, keeping them informed, engaged and entertained,” he said. “It’s great to be welcoming someone of Ryan’s calibre.”