The "ZDF-Morgenmagazin" is getting reinforcements for its early morning slot: Maral Bazargani (36) will take over the show's early morning hours for the first time from Monday, July 6, to Friday, July 10. On each of these days, she will be on screen from 5:30 to 7 a.m. And it won't stop with just this one week.
Substitute for Philipp Wortmann
Going forward, Bazargani is set to host the early morning slot up to six weeks per year, as a substitute for Philipp Wortmann. The network is confident about the choice. "With Maral Bazargani, 'ZDF-Morgenmagazin' gets a competent and personable host who will greet viewers in the morning with current news and engaging interviews", explains Andreas Wunn, head of ZDF's "Tagesmagazine Berlin" editorial department.
From the Olympics to the camera
Bazargani is already familiar to audiences. Since 2023, she has been hosting the children's news program "logo!", and since 2025, she has also been hosting ZDF's track and field broadcasts. Sports have shaped her career from the beginning: As a 400-meter runner, she was part of Germany's 4x400-meter relay team at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
In 2014, she ended her athletic career and embarked on a journalism path. She started with an internship at SWR before joining "logo!" as an editor and reporter in 2017. With her assignment on the early morning slot, she is now expanding her responsibilities to include another role.
The "ZDF-Morgenmagazin" has been accompanying its audience into the day for almost 34 years. Alternating weekly with the "ARD-Morgenmagazin", the three-and-a-half-hour show airs Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 9 a.m. and covers topics from politics, business, sports, and culture. The current hosting team includes Dunja Hayali, Mitri Sirin, Mirjam Meinhardt, Eva-Maria Lemke, Philipp Wortmann, and Andreas Wunn.
