TV broadcasters are spending around £15m on special sets, latest technology and thousands of staff for the general election, with the BBC deploying 2,000 staff on election night alone. However, the unprecedented uncertainty over the outcome has presented the biggest challenge yet for news networks.
ITV News anchor Tom Bradby said: “When it comes to this election, nobody knows anything, no one knows how it’s going to pan out, every scenario opens up a Pandora’s box for us.” He will be on air from 9.55pm through the night until 9.25am, with no ad breaks.
BBC’s Emily Maitlis, analysing results on-screen for the first time, said she is “thinking quite a lot about my language” to explain the complicated political scenario. Sky News’ Dermot Murnaghan, hosting his sixth election, admitted: “Honestly the only one where we have no idea of the result.”
Channel 4 is offering an alternative with David Mitchell and Jeremy Paxman. Mitchell said: “We aim to keep the irreverence and humour but add inquisitorial bite.” Paxman, he added, will give the show “much greater credibility and gravitas”.
