People across the UK head to the polls today knowing that the result of the general election rests on a knife edge. Over the last few weeks, the polls have narrowed and a hung parliament is now looking more and more likely.
As such, the coverage of the election could make for interesting viewing. After polling stations close, all the main TV channels will begin covering the results and reactions from members of the public throughout the night and into Friday morning. The results of the exit poll will be broadcast on all channels just as voting closes at 10pm, offering the first real indication of the result.
Here is everything you need to know about the TV coverage, including who will be appearing on all the participating channels and the times to tune in.
What time do the general election TV reports start?
- BBC One – ‘Election 2019’, 9.55pm – Friday 1pm
- ITV – ‘Election 2019 Live: The Results’, 9.55pm – Friday 6am
- ITV – ‘Election 2019 Live’ (following ‘Good Morning Britain’), Friday 9.25am-2pm
- Sky News – ‘The Brexit Election’, 9pm – Friday 5pm
- Channel 4 – ‘Alternative Election Night’, 9.55pm – Friday 6am
BBC – ‘Election 2019’
After having hosted the BBC’s coverage of general elections since 1979, David Dimbleby will make way for newsreader Huw Edwards this time around.
The broadcaster’s famous ‘swingometer’ is also expected to appear throughout the election night programme.
Anchor: Huw Edwards
Co-Hosts: Reeta Chakrabarti, Andrew Neil, Tina Daheley and Jeremy Vine
Pundits: Laura Kuenssberg, Katya Adler, Nick Robinson and Andrew Marr
Pollster: Prof Sir John Curtice
Duration: From 9.55pm on Thursday to 1pm on Friday
ITV – ‘Election 2019 Live’
Presenter of political discussion series ‘The Agenda’ Tom Bradby will host ITV’s analysis tonight, with Julie Etchingham set to continue the live coverage on Friday, after ‘Good Morning Britain’.
Anchor: Tom Bradby
Co-Hosts: Robert Peston and Allegra Stratton
Pundits: George Osborne, Ed Balls, Ruth Davidson, Alan Johnson, Jo Johnson, Fiona Hill and Jon Lansman
Pollsters: Prof Jane Green and Prof Colin Rallings
Duration: From 9.55pm on Thursday to 6am on Friday, then 9.25am to 2pm on Friday.
Sky News – ‘The Brexit Election’
Former House of Commons speaker John Bercow, famous for his brutal put-downs of MPs, will join Dermot Murnaghan for the Sky News’ coverage.
Anchor: Dermot Murnaghan
Co-Hosts: Beth Rigby, Sam Coates and Ed Conway
Pundits: John Bercow
Pollster: None announced
Duration: From 9pm tonight to 5pm on Friday.
Channel 4 – ‘Alternative Election Night’
As usual, Channel 4 is taking an alternative approach to their election coverage, combining political analysis with comedy. TV personality Rylan Clark-Neal will be joined by ‘Channel 4 News’ presenter Krishnan Guru-Murphy and comedian Katherine Ryan.
Anchor: Rylan Clark-Neal
Co-Hosts: Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Pundits: Katherine Ryan, Amber Rudd, Tom Watson, Clare Balding, Rob Rinder and Matt Forde
Pollster: None announced
Duration: From 9.55pm on Thursday to 6am on Friday.
Don’t let the rain stop you from getting out to vote! Polling stations are open until 10pm tonight. If you have any questions about the election, check out our handy guide to voting.
Featured image: © General Election Results 2015 via Flickr.
