The ABC’s flagship morning program, News Breakfast, is set to debut a refreshed line-up in 2025, with James Glenday stepping into the co-hosting role alongside Bridget Brennan. The announcement was made live on Monday’s show by outgoing host Michael Rowland, who declared Glenday “the best person for the job.”
Rowland, who has been part of the program since 2010, is the latest in a series of high-profile departures from News Breakfast, following Lisa Millar in August and Tony Armstrong in October.
Justin Stevens, ABC Director, News, said: “We’re delighted to welcome James to the News Breakfast couch. As well as being an experienced journalist James is a terrific and natural presenter who has already developed a warm connection with News Breakfast viewers.”
Glenday, a seasoned journalist and former host of the ABC’s 7pm News bulletin in Canberra, acknowledged the weight of the role during Monday’s broadcast. “Big shoes to fill,” he said. “Bit nervous, I must admit, coming on the couch like this next to greatness.”
“It will be a beautiful thing to present the show with Bridget, a longtime friend and fellow millennial. We’re quite different people, but for some inexplicable reason she tolerates my terrible jokes, so we get along well.”
A revamped team
Joining Glenday and Brennan in January is Catherine Murphy, who has been named the full-time sports presenter, replacing Armstrong. “I’ve loved working with the team when I’ve filled in and I’m so excited for 2025. News Breakfast is the only show I’d set my alarm at 3am for,” she said.
Other returning team members include roving reporter Charles Brice, Emma Rebellato, and Friday presenter Nate Byrne.
Stevens added: “The new line-up of James and Bridget with Nate, Catherine, Emma, and Charles will continue brekky’s great tradition of providing the most robust, trusted, hefty, interesting, and entertaining news in Australian media each morning.”
James Glenday (left) will replace Michael Rowland as co-host of News Breakfast, with Bridget Brennan. (right)
End of an era
Michael Rowland’s farewell marks the culmination of an era for News Breakfast. Reflecting on his departure, Rowland handed the reins to Glenday with confidence and gratitude for the decade-plus he spent shaping the program.
Glenday will officially join the team in January, as viewers look forward to seeing the dynamic new duo of Glenday and Brennan take on the morning news landscape with a fresh perspective and enduring commitment to quality journalism.