U.K.’s Channel 4 to Cover U.S. Election in Pact With CNN; Coverage to Feature Brian Cox, Stormy Daniels, and Boris Johnson
U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 is promising “groundbreaking” coverage of the upcoming U.S. presidential election thanks to a partnership with CNN and a lineup of guests including Succession star Brian Cox, Stormy Daniels, Boris Johnson, and more for its first U.S. election overnight coverage in 32 years.
Unveiling its plans on Tuesday in London, Channel 4 touted “a stellar international selection of presenters, guests and expert analysis for America Decides: U.S. Election Results (working title), produced by ITN Productions.” Airing from 10:15 p.m. U.K. time on Tuesday, Nov. 5, the eight-hour live coverage will be hosted from Washington DC by Channel 4 News anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Emily Maitlis, the co-presenter of Global’s daily podcast The News Agents who during her BBC career famously interviewed Prince Andrew in a chat that caused global headlines.
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“The duo will be reprising their roles from Channel 4’s critically acclaimed coverage of the 2024 U.K. general election, also produced by ITN Productions, which saw the broadcaster’s audience double in comparison to 2019,” the network said. They will be joined by BBC and Channel 5 host Jeremy Vine in London, who will be making his Channel 4 election debut from a “data hub” providing infographics and the stories behind stats as all-important battleground state results are declared.
“Channel 4 News presenter Matt Frei will play a key role in the overnight program as well as, leading coverage on Channel 4 News throughout the election period,” the broadcaster added. “He’ll be joined by a team of correspondents on the night, all reporting on the ground from the swing states which will be key in determining who becomes president.” He is a former Washington DC correspondent and host of Channel 4 documentaries Trump vs Harris: The Battle for America and Trump: Should We Be Scared?
“Channel 4’s first-ever partnership with CNN will enable the sharing of guests, reporters, graphics and data across the night,” the U.K. broadcaster highlighted. “This will tap into CNN’s expert analysis and cutting-edge use of data, including being able to simulcast updates from CNN’s award-winning anchor and chief national correspondent John King, famous for his ‘Magic Wall’.”
Channel 4 on Tuesday also touted the “exclusive guests offering compelling conversation from across the American political divide” on election night. “This includes Stormy Daniels, the adult film actress at the center of Donald Trump’s ‘hush-money’ trial following an affair between the two, and Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer who paid Daniels to stay quiet about the affair. They will be joined in the Washington DC studio by former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson and former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Other guests will include media personality …, acclaimed pollster Frank Lutz, James Carville, Bill Clinton’s lead strategist responsible for coining the term ‘it’s the economy, stupid!,’ and actor Brian Cox, star of Succession.”
The coverage will also be available on Channel 4’s streaming platforms, including YouTube and TikTok pages.
Said Louisa Compton, Channel 4’s head of news and current affairs and specialist factual and sport: “After our successful coverage of the U.K. election, we’re delighted to be bringing Channel 4 viewers what will surely be the best and most comprehensive coverage of the American election results – the consequences of which will be watched keenly around the world. America Decides will capture all the drama of the night, whilst also providing the best analysis and commentary with our impressive talent lineup, unique range of guests, and partnership with CNN.”
Updated on Oct 9, 10 a.m. PT: Channel 4 initially said that Caitlyn Jenner would be among the big names appearing on its election night coverage, but a representative for Jenner said on Oct. 9 that this wouldn’t be the case.
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