They’re calling it the most important US election in living memory (don’t they do that every time?). But Trump vs Harris does feel particularly momentous, given that one of them is a convicted criminal yet the pair are drawing in the polls. News channels will be awash with political commentary from this evening until the wee hours and there’s a pundit for everyone, whether you prefer your election hot takes delivered by a former politician or a porn star. Buckle up: it’s going to be a long night, but there’s plenty of coverage to keep you entertained.
Channel 4 – America Decides: US Presidential Election, from 10pm
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Channel 4 are firing from all cylinders for their first overnight US election coverage in 32 years. The News Agents’ Emily Maitlis will compère the evening alongside C4 presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy. Blonde bouffants will be in long supply, with studio guests including ex-PM Boris Johnson and adult film star Stormy Daniels, who famously took Donald Trump to court over a hush-money scandal after the pair had a one-night stand in 2006.
Other guests will include Succession’s Brian Cox, and Caitlyn Jenner (parent of Kendall and Kylie), who is an avowed Trump supporter. She once said “’it was easier to come out as trans than a Trump supporter”.
In case that wasn’t enough of a motley crew, singer Rufus Wainwright and artist Grayson Perry are also on the line-up, as well as politicians Michael Gove and David Miliband. Dream dinner party alert!
ITV – Harris V Trump: The Results, from 10.45pm
ITV have secured former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin as a guest
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ITV are taking a slightly less flamboyant approach, with their star presenter Tom Bradby leading the coverage from Washington and other reporters dotted around the country. Guest-wise, they have snagged gun slinging ex governor of Alaska and former Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin, as well as various advisers to Trump and Biden. Stormy D will also be making an appearance, as well as Donald Trump’s nephew Fred Trump III, who has described his uncle as “crazy” in the past, but maintains that they have a good relationship.
BBC One – US Election 2024, from 10.40pm
The BBC’s election coverage will be anchored from Washington by US Chief Presenters Caitríona Perry and Sumi Somaskanda. They will be joined by BBC US special correspondent Katty Kay, who co-hosts The Rest is Politics US with Donald Trump’s short-serving communications director Anthony Scaramucci. BBC correspondents will be reporting on the ground in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, while the team in the studio will be joined by a line-up of “expert guests”. We’ll assume that means Grayson Perry and pals will be in absentia.
Sky News – America Votes: Election Night Live, from 10pm
Lewis Goodall | Global
Lewis Goodall | Global
Sky News are teaming up with NBC across the pond to deliver “the fastest and most accurate race projections”. The coverage will be led by chief presenter Mark Austin and world news presenter Yalda Hakim, with guests like The News Agents’ podcaster Lewis Goodall “helping viewers make sense of the results.” This is the option for the election nerds, those who prefer “advanced data screens” and copious number-crunching over a couchful of guests worthy of Graham Norton.
