Discovery has today announced that Melissa Chan-Green will join Ryan Bridge as co-host of Newshub’s all-new morning show ‘AM’.
Featuring a new name and logo, ‘AM’ will be a mix of news and entertainment, sports and weather, launching in early 2022 on Three and ThreeNow.
Newshub’s Director of News, Sarah Bristow, says: “Mel is an extraordinary journalist with experience as a news reader, reporter and foreign correspondent. Along with that credibility, she’s also so much fun and a great conversationalist, which is a winning mix in the mornings.”
Since Ryan joined The AM Show, we have seen audiences respond with share growing in almost every demographic. They love what he is bringing to the mornings and together Ryan and Mel will be an irresistible combo.”
“They have incredible chemistry,” says Bristow. “Mel and Ryan will be the most vibrant, energetic, surprising and inquisitive morning TV hosts in New Zealand.”
“I’m thoroughly excited about the ambition we share for the new ‘AM’ for 2022, and making it the very best show it can be for a television audience.”
Chan-Green will continue hosting Newshub Live at 6pm with Mike McRoberts until Samantha Hayes returns from maternity leave in January. InChan-Green’s 14 years as a presenter and journalist with Newshub, she has travelled Aotearoa and the globe covering everything from the Arab Spring uprisings to the funeral of Nelson Mandela, Gallipoli centenary and Paris terror attacks. She has reported from several Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cups.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for morning telly since that’s where I started in broadcasting 20 years ago,” saysChan-Green.
“To now come full circle and co-host the new ‘AM’ alongside Ryan is really special – he’s a brilliant broadcaster and great friend. I can’t wait to join Ryan, and viewers from around New Zealand, in the mornings.”
Bridge is a former political journalist-turned news presenter and interviewer. Prior to hosting The AM Show, he fronted the drive show at RadioLIVE and its successor at Magic Talk. He reported and presented for Three’s former current affairs show, Story, as well as Newshub Live at 6pm.
“I cannot wait to show Kiwis what we’ve been working on behind the scenes,” says Bridge.
“The opportunity to build a brand new morning telly show was not to be missed. The icing on the cake is doing it all with my good mate Mel at my side. She’s charming, smart and there’s a genuine warmth to her that I know our viewers are going to love.”
In 2021, more than 1.5 million Kiwis began their day with The AM Show and the morning show has seen growth in The AM Show’s share this year.
The co-hosts will be joined in the studio by a news and sports presenter as well as a roving weather presenter whose identities will be revealed in coming weeks.
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