‘American Ninja Warrior’ Taps New Co-Host for Season 7 (Exclusive)

There’s a change coming to American Ninja Warrior’s seventh season.

Kristine Leahy has been tapped to co-host the NBC’s summer reality competition series, replacing Jenn Brown, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Leahy will join fellow co-hosts and play-by-play duo Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila this season. Brown will not be featured.

Read more No Winner? No Problem: How ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Stands Out From the Reality Pack

Leahy comes to ANW from CBS Sports where she worked as a sideline reporter covering March Madness and college football. She also has contributed to KCAL’s Dodgers pregame show, Think Blue, and anchored CBSLA’s Sports Central in addition to covering the NBA playoffs, MLB playoffs and the L.A. Kings’ run to the Stanley Cup. 

ANW kicks off production this weekend in Venice with the first of its qualifying rounds before heading to Houston, Kansas City, Orlando and Pittsburgh en route to its Las Vegas finals.

The series this season is also teaming with nonprofit veteran organization Got Your 6 to shoot two special episodes featuring an all-military cast of active-duty and retired personnel. Produced by A. Smith & Co.’s Arthur Smith and Kent Weed, the addicting competition series also is exec produced by Brian Richardson and Anthony Storm.

Last season featured the first woman ever to top its famed Warped Wall.

ANW returns Monday, May 25, at 8 p.m. on NBC.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit