Broadcasters prepare extensive coverage of 2024 US election night (and beyond)

Major broadcast and cable networks are mobilizing unprecedented resources for coverage of the 2024 US presidential election, with plans for expanded programming hours and the deployment of new technology to help viewers follow the results.

The stakes are especially high this cycle, with seven battleground states featuring close races between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Networks face the challenge of providing accurate and timely coverage while managing security concerns and misinformation.

Broadcaster Election Coverage Plans

ABC News

ABC News reported the most comprehensive election coverage to datewith over 72 hours of programming across broadcast, streaming and digital platforms. “World News Tonight” anchor David Muir will lead the network’s coverage beginning November 5 at 7 pm EST.

The network positioned its political team strategically, with chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce and senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott providing analysis. The network deployed correspondents to key locations: Whit Johnson covering the Trump/Vance campaign, Eva Pilgrim at Harris/Walz headquarters, and additional teams in battleground states.

The ABC’s “Ballot Watch” bureau, under the investigative unit and led by chief justice correspondent Pierre Thomas, will monitor election integrity issues. Political contributors Donna Brazile, Chris Christie and Reince Priebus will provide analysis throughout the evening.

NBC News

NBC News will provide unprecedented 24 hour non-stop live coverage beginning at 5:00 PM EST on Election Day, broadcast from a new state-of-the-art election set up at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. “NBC Nightly News” anchor Lester Holt and “Today” anchor Savannah Guthrie will anchor the report.

The network positioned more than 100 journalists nationally, including teams from both campaign headquarters. NBC’s Vote Watch initiative will monitor misinformation and voting irregularities, with dedicated reporters Laura Jarrett and Tom Winter filling the Vote Watch desk.

Telemundo

Noticias Telemundo will broadcast from a curated selection at Telemundo Center, where anchors Julio Vaqueiro and Arantxa Loizaga will lead prime-time coverage beginning at 7:00 PM EST.

The network incorporated augmented reality technology and created the fact-checking platform T Verica in Spanish and English.

CNBC

CNBC will deliver market-focused electoral coverage with “Your Money, Your Vote” starting at 7:00 PM EST from the New York Stock Exchange, anchored by Carl Quintanilla with Jim Cramer and Sara Eisen.

Scott Wapner will host merchant panels throughout the evening, while overnight coverage will be led by Contessa Brewer, Frank Holland and Brian Sullivan from the network’s global headquarters. The network has positioned correspondents in key locations, including Eamon Javers covering Trump, Megan Cassella covering Harris and Eunice Yoon reporting market reactions in Beijing. A special four-hour edition of “Squawk Box” with Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin will follow from 5 to 9 a.m. EST.

CNN

CNN’s election headquarters will operate from both Washington, DC and New York, and Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper will anchor “Election Night in America” ​​beginning at 4:00 PM EST. The network has deployed more than two dozen correspondents to the battleground states.

John King returns to the Magic Wall with enhanced features, while the network introduced a mobile version that allows viewers to access similar data analysis tools through the CNN app. David Chalian will provide analysis from the Battleground Desk, focusing on exit polls and voting data.

Kaitlan Collins will anchor from the Trump campaign headquarters with Kristen Holmes, while Abby Phillip reports from the Harris headquarters with Jeff Zeleny. The network’s coverage will be broadcast live on CNN Max and across digital platforms without requiring a cable subscription.

Fox News

Fox News will air “Fox News: Democracy 2024” from recently updated Studio Moffering new augmented reality capabilities and interactive data visualization tools. Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum will co-anchor coverage.

Technical network upgrades include Bill Hemmer’s improved “Bill” board, equipped with infrared sensor tracking for 3D data interaction. New features include a “Path to 270” election map and “Top 5 Closest Races” tool that provides real-time updates on competitive contests.

More than two dozen correspondents will cover the battleground states, with Harris Faulkner hosting a live audience of voters throughout the evening. The network will draw on voter analysis data from the University of Chicago’s NORC and the Associated Press.

MSNBC

Rachel Maddow will be the spearhead MSNBC primetime coverage from New York starting at 6pm EST with Nicolle Wallace, Ari Melber, Joy Reid and more. The network has positioned more than 100 correspondents nationally, with Steve Kornacki providing analysis at the Big Board.

The network’s coverage includes specialized teams monitoring potential election challenges, with contributions from election law experts including Rick Hasen, Matt Sanderson and John Fortier.

NewsNation

In the first presidential election as a 24-hour news network, NewsNation partnered with Decision Desk HQ for real-time results and analysis. Chris Cuomo, Elizabeth Vargas and Leland Vittert will co-anchor the coverage from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM EST, with The CW simulcasting portions of the coverage.

The network introduced “Election Pulse,” a visual tool that provides real-time updates on projected results using probability metrics. Correspondents will report from both campaign headquarters and battleground states.

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon has made a significant entry into election coverage by signing former NBC anchor Brian Williams to host “Election Night Live with Brian Williams.” The It will be broadcast in a special 10-hour stream free starting at 5 pm EST, produced from a custom newsroom on an MGM soundstage in Los Angeles.

Coverage will include limited commercial breaks and will include guests from various media outlets. White Cherry Entertainment will produce the show, with Glenn Weiss directing and Jonathan Wald serving as executive producer.

Peacock

NBCUniversal’s streaming service will extend its multiview feature, previously used for coverage of the Olympics, until election night. The service will offer a curated experience in three views, with NBC News Now, a dedicated “Kornacki Cam” and a balance of power map with real-time results.

Spectrum News

Spectrum News+ will provide electoral coverage beginning at 7:00 PM EST through a collaboration between the national team and the local networks, with all programming simulcast on C-SPAN2.

National anchor Josh Robin and NY1 political reporter Ayana Harry will lead in-studio coverage, while Cassie Semyon reports from the Harris-Walz headquarters and Taylor Popielarz covers the Trump-Vance campaign. Coverage will be available free to all viewers via the Spectrum News app and Xumo Play, with analysis from Alex Cohen and Bob Hart, along with coverage of key Senate and House races in battleground states.

C-Span

C-SPAN will provide ad-free, unedited coverage from 7 p.m. EST Nov. 5 through noon Nov. 6, focusing on both the presidential and congressional races, with no commentary or expertise.

Greta Brawner, Peter Slen, Tammy Thueringer, Pedro Echevarria and John McArdle will host the 17-hour broadcast, which includes partnerships with Spectrum News for coverage of the battleground states. The network plans to air at least 20 victory and concession speeches in total, while offering interactive tracking of the results on C-SPAN.org down to the congressional district level. Coverage will be available on C-SPAN platforms, including C-SPAN Radio and the C-SPAN Now app.

BBC News

The British broadcaster plans comprehensive overnight programming from Washington, DC, led by American lead presenters Caitríona Perry and Sumi Somaskanda. Coverage includes correspondents from battleground states and analysis of the election’s global impact.

Sky News

Sky News will broadcast from NBC studios in Washington, with lead anchor Mark Austin and world news anchor Yalda Hakim leading the coverage. The network will use NBC News exit poll and vote count data through their corporate partnership.

Security concerns and disinformation

Networks have improved their preparations for potential security situations and disinformation campaigns. Many have created dedicated fact-checking units and partnered with election security experts to monitor developments throughout election day.

A recent Joint Intelligence Bulletin warned of potential threats to election infrastructure and media operations, prompting networks to increase security measures and establish rapid response protocols.

Extended Coverage Plans

With close results expected and different state rules for handling mail-in ballots, networks are preparing for coverage to extend well beyond election night. Many have scheduled special appointments through Nov. 6 and developed contingency plans for expanded coverage if needed.

The combined coverage represents the most extensive deployment of resources and technology in election broadcast history, with the networks emphasizing their commitment to accurate reporting over speed in calling the races.