NZ Herald unveils Herald NOW, its new news streaming channel with Ryan Bridge

AUCKLAND, Today: The Herald is launching Herald NOW, a cutting-edge news-streaming platform bringing live news and premium journalism video content. Kicking off in Q2 2025, it debuts with a morning news show hosted by Ryan Bridge.

Streaming live from NZME’s new Auckland Central studio, Herald NOW will be available on the Herald homepage via desktop and mobile. It will deliver breaking news, exclusive interviews, investigative journalism, and coverage across entertainment, business, and more.

Murray Kirkness, NZ Herald editor-in-chief, says the new platform reflects NZME’s commitment to innovation and digital transformation.

“NZME and the Herald have been at the forefront of digital innovation in New Zealand’s media industry, having launched the country’s first mainstream digital news subscription service and continually adapting to the different ways audiences consume news.

“Herald NOW is another example of this creativity in action. We’re really looking forward to providing our audiences with something new and different to complement the Herald’s current quality offering.”

“We’re also so pleased to announce Ryan Bridge as our launch host. Ryan’s charisma, versatility and news nous are well-known and we believe audiences will enjoy engaging with this new way of watching video news.” – Sarah Bristow

Sarah Bristow, NZ Herald Managing Editor, Multimedia Content, says video is becoming a preferred way for audiences to consume news, creating demand for high-quality video content.

“Herald NOW is an ambitious offering that will fill a gap that currently exists in the New Zealand media market. It’s an exciting opportunity. The content will perfectly complement the Herald’s current trusted, quality content and allow us to further adapt to how Kiwis are consuming news, making it more accessible and engaging than ever before.

“We’re also so pleased to announce Ryan Bridge as our launch host. Ryan’s charisma, versatility and news nous are well-known and we believe audiences will enjoy engaging with this new way of watching video news.

“From a commercial perspective, video is a high-value advertising medium, which has been illustrated by the demand we’ve experienced in speaking to clients about our new offering. We’re pleased to already have some foundational partners on board and we expect many more to follow,” says Bristow.

Bridge says, “I can’t wait to get stuck in when we launch. I’m looking forward to extending my role from behind the microphone as ZB host to having great debates on screen, holding the powerful to account and bringing the Herald’s excellent journalism to life at Herald NOW.”