Election night 2013: TV guide
How to vote with your remote, or choose an entertainment alternative.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under Election
From a bar at the Channel TEN cafe in Pyrmont to a tally room in the ABC foyer…
From Laurie Oakes to Antony Green to Hugh Riminton…
From military-grade mapping technology to eight simultaneous split screens….
Television channels will be all over the 2013 Federal Election tomorrow. The action gets serious from 4pm AEST, two hours before the first polling booths close. Even if a winner is obvious early on, don’t expect speeches before 9pm -pollies never like to declare victory speeches until at least an hour after the WA booths close.
Here’s a final wrap up of what’s on offer for each network, as well as some alternative viewing choices in case the thought of politics completely stinks.
ABC
On ABC News 24, a special edition of News Breakfast hosted by Michael Rowland and Virginia Trioli will air from 6.00am to 10.00am, followed by uninterrupted rolling coverage of all the developments across the day until 5.00pm.
At 5.00pm, Australia Votes: The Final Hour hosted by Scott Bevan will be simulcast on ABC NEWS 24 and ABC1 as tension builds towards the close of polls in the East.
From 6.00pm, ABC1 and ABC News 24 will simulcast live from the ABC Election Centre in Sydney until there is a clear result. Join Kerry O’Brien with analysis from Annabel Crabb, Antony Green, Tony Jones, The Hon Stephen Smith MP (Labor) and Senator Arthur Sinodinos (Liberal).
As well as live crosses to candidates around Australia, Joe O’Brien will regularly summarise the result from the ABC’s Virtual Parliament in Canberra.
Following Australia Votes, ABC News 24 will broadcast Election Wrap hosted by Steve Cannane, analysing the result with continuing updates of results from Western Australia.
SEVEN
Seven News special coverage of the 2013 Federal Election will be broadcast live from Channel Seven’s Martin Place studio in Sydney on Saturday from 5:00pm AEST.
Join Chris Bath on the main channel with co-hosts Political Editor Mark Riley, Melissa Doyle and Matt White in what will be Seven News’ most interactive election coverage to date.
National Secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union Paul Howes and former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett will provide commentary as key members of the election panel, along with The Hon Christopher Pyne MP (Liberal Party), The Hon Bob Katter MP (Katter’s Australian Party), The Hon Bronwyn Bishop (Liberal Party), former Federal MP Alexander Downer, and Senator the Hon Don Farrell MP (ALP).
Network News Director Rob Raschke said: “Seven News is committed to providing viewers with the most up-to-date and in-depth political coverage.
“This powerful and dynamic team of political commentators will give viewers unique insight as the election result unfolds on September 7, with Paul Howes and Jeff Kennett two big political players who aren’t afraid to call it as they see it.”
Sharyn Ghidella will be reporting live from Brisbane where Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will be, and political reporter Alex Hart will be in Sydney with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.
Seven News will cross live throughout the night to up to 30 reporters and politicians in all key battlegrounds around the country.
Election coverage will break on the main channel at 6pm AEST for Seven News – Sydney’s bulletin to be hosted by Mark Ferguson – but will continue on 7TWO in all markets.
Live election coverage will return to the main channel at 6.30pm AEST in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, and remain on 7TWO in Melbourne and Adelaide.
Seven News has invested in cutting-edge, interactive technology that will form an integral part of election night coverage and maximize viewer interaction.
Viewers can voice their opinion live on election night through the 7News app with the 7News Viewer Vote function. The app sends votes directly to the newsroom for journalists to relay results in real-time.
Election trends on Facebook will also be incorporated into live election coverage in an exclusive collaboration between the social networking site, Seven News and Yahoo!7.
NINE
Nine News has assembled the most experienced team of presenters, reporters and analysts of any network for its coverage of the 2013 Federal election on Saturday.
The election day coverage will begin at 4.00pm with a Nine News national bulletin presented by Georgie Gardner.
At 5.00pm Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson will bring viewers the most comprehensive reporting and analysis of the day’s results in Australia Decides 2013.
Leading Nine’s panel of experts is Walkley Award-winning journalist and Nine News Political Editor Laurie Oakes, Australia’s No. 1 political journalist. Oakes is without peer in the Canberra press gallery with his record in news-breaking and commentary.
Joining Oakes on the panel is Peter Costello, seen as one of the most successful Treasurers Australia has known. Having served the Liberal Party both in government and opposition, Costello knows what would be required of an Abbott government to implement policy change and get the economy moving.
An insight into the inner workings of the ALP will come from Simon Crean, who has also served his party in government and opposition.
Further assessment of the polling results will be provided by Amanda Vanstone. As a senator, Vanstone held several portfolios in the Howard government and her tenure as Minister for Immigration makes her perfectly placed to comment on what steps the winning party will need to take to deal with the contentious issue of asylum seekers.
Rounding out the panel is Lachlan Harris, a former key adviser to Kevin Rudd who was instrumental in bringing the ALP to power in 2007.
Nine’s cameras and team of experts will span the length and breadth of the country to report on election day.
Tracy Grimshaw will be on location with the Abbott camp in Sydney, while Peter Overton will be reporting live from Rudd’s election HQ in Brisbane.
They will be supported by Nine News presenters and senior reporters, including Alicia Loxley, Kate Collins, Andrew Lofthouse, Melissa Downes, Deborah Knight, Brett McLeod and Amelia Adams who will all be reporting from key marginal seats across Australia.
Nine’s coverage will also use cutting-edge technology to bring voting results to viewers faster than ever before.
And Ross Greenwood will present a state-of-the-art innovation for social media which will bring the public’s views and opinions to the screen, right up to the second.
Localised analysis will also be extensively covered in all Nine News bulletins at 6.00pm.
When Australians head to the polls this weekend, viewers of Nine News and the users of ninemsn can voice their opinions throughout the day via the Twitter hashtag #YouDecide9.
A joint initiative between Nine News and ninemsn, #YouDecide9 gives Australians the opportunity to be involved with Nine News’ experienced team of presenters, reporters and analysts during the coverage of the 2013 Federal election on Saturday.
“Throughout this election campaign, Australians have embraced #YouDecide9, and on Saturday we want our audience to share their voice via Nine News, ninemsn and Twitter. All tweets that include #YouDecide9 will be streamed online at ninemsn’s election page youdecide9.com.au and also have the chance of appearing on air throughout the day on Nine News. When the winner is announced, we’ll be able to take the pulse of Australia instantly and share that with our audience” said Darren Wick, Director of News and Current Affairs, Nine.
“#YouDecide9 is all about putting our users and Nine’s viewers at the heart of the story. Since the spill in late June, #YouDecide9 has been at the centre of discussion as one of the country’s leading election hashtags. This Saturday will be no different, and we look forward to sharing the views of Australians as the next government is chosen,” said Hal Crawford, Editor in Chief, ninemsn.
TEN
6pm: The Election Project with Hugh Riminton is a serious but entertaining alternative to the federal election coverage.
A co-production between TEN News and The Project, The Election Project with Hugh Riminton is the best of both worlds coming together for in-depth coverage, with the lighter moments you would expect from The Project team.
The panel will consist of The Project hosts Charlie, Carrie and Dave, along with Hugh Riminton, and will feature The Project regulars Natasha Stott Despoja and Steve Price.
Two of TEN’s most experienced and most loved news presenters, Sandra Sully and Paul Bongiorno, will also join the action, based with Tony Abbott and Kevin Rudd and bringing viewers the latest action from the polling booths.
SBS
World News Australia Election special 9.30pm on SBS ONE
Presenter Kathy Novak and Chief Political Correspondent Karen Middleton will provide live coverage of the winners and losers with thorough analysis and cross to reporters in key electorates.
In the lead up to the night World News Australia will bring the latest news from the campaign trail, including features on the main battlegrounds and issues.
SKY NEWS
As the nation heads to the polls, SKY News – Australia’s Election Channel will deliver the country’s most comprehensive, dynamic and unparalleled election coverage
On September 7, Sky News will launch Election 1 (Ch 601) and Election 2 (Ch 602), a special re-brand of Sky News National and Business building on the channels already comprehensive election coverage and offering viewers even more choice. Sky News is already home to Australia’s only dedicated 24hr Election Channel (Ch 648).
From 5.30am* Sky News Chief Political Reporter Kieran Gilbert will begin Election Day 2013 coverage as both leaders undertake their final campaign efforts and place their votes.
Sky News will also bring viewers Live reports from the campaign headquarters of both leaders. Kieran Gilbert and Laura Jayes will be with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in Sydney and Peter Van Onselen and Ashleigh Gillon with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in Brisbane.
From 4:00pm* our non-stop coverage of Election 2013: The Verdict begins anchored by Sky News Political Editor David Speers at the Sky News Centre in Sydney. David will be joined by a panel of guests including; the honourable Bob Hawke, Graham Richardson, Michael Kroger, Immigration Minister, Tony Burke and Shadow Attorney General, Senator George Brandis.
On Election 2 (Ch 602), rolling dynamic graphics representing the rotating seats and trends will be available for viewers along with in-depth commentary from the SKY News Election 2013 panel.
The Sky News Election 2013 coverage will be available worldwide free to view from 4pm* at www.skynews.com.au
As the polls close an exclusive Sky News Exit Poll conducted by Newspoll will be released.
A special edition of Paul Murray Live will air on Saturday night and will take Australians through the early hours of the morning.
Throughout the day Sky News Multiview will continue to provide Australia’s largest selection of political channels. At the touch of the red button, viewers can launch eight simultaneous split screens of video and text including two channels dedicated to the activity and movements of Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott.
Sky News viewers can also tune into our Election Day coverage with Foxtel Go. The app is available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, iPad mini and now Samsung Android tablets, smartphones and PC and Mac computers.
On Sunday Election 2013 coverage continues on SKY News from 5.30am* anchored by David Speers and Kieran Gilbert followed by Australian Agenda with Peter Van Onselen. At 10am* David Speers will anchor the special Election 2013: The Morning After recapping the highs and lows of Australia’s most dramatic election campaign to date.
The Election Channel (Ch 648) will feature a continuous replay of Election night so you can relive every moment as it happened.
*All times are AEST
ALTERNATIVES:
Movie: Addams Family Values 6:30pm 7mate
Reef Doctors 6:30pm ELEVEN
Australia’s Got Talent 7pm GO!
Wonderland-arama 7:30pm ELEVEN
Wildest Islands 7:30pm SBS ONE
Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 8:30pm GO!
Eddie Izzard’s Mandela Marathons 8:35pm SBS ONE
RuPaul’s Drag Race 8:45pm SBS 2
Movie: Let the Bullets Fly 9:35pm SBS 2
Movie: Yolngu Boy 9:30pm NITV
Funny As: Greg Davies 9:30pm ABC2
Archer 10:30pm ABC2
Massive Moves 10:30pm SBS ONE
19 Responses
Seven should fire whoever designed their graphics tonight – appalling (worse than what the US networks roll out).
ABC’s coverage was excellent. I thought Nine’s guests were best, Seven’s was poor overall (and that’s coming from a Seven loyalist!)
I think the rugby and F1 qually is the way to go with election updates on the computer. Yes, I multi-task. Then again there’s always DVDs of Despicable Me, The Incredibles or Monsters Inc.
The Election Project, for me, summarizes all that is wrong with Ten programming. Do not want.
Ok I am going to admit how tragic I am I love election night only this time for the first time ever I won’t be in aus to see it I just hope the wifi in Bali airport is good so I can watch it on sky news I think Kevin changed the date just to piss me off because he knows how much I dislike him go Tony abott
@matthutchinson10 Actually, I hope the Collingwood/Port Power match is one-sided- in the Magpies’ favour 🙂
I think I will flick between sky news, and the AFL EF.
@Rayne – I hope Australia wins and the broadcast finishes at 10.05pm or unless there is hardly any injury time following RU is F1 live from Monza
@Jason I totally agree, according to Seven we have a voice and twitter is the way to use it. Ah wrong no we vote that’s our voice not 140 characters.
Seven’s panel sounds like it would make me want to punch the telly within a matter of minutes.
Social media integration? No thanks. If I wanted to read the insightless rantings of the social media set, I’d have Twitter and Facebook open myself.
Reporters ‘reporting from key marginal seats’? Uh…why? To tell us that the polls are closed and that the mood is tense? More pointless filler.
…My God, Channel Ten is almost sounding like a good option! At least they can tell some jokes to pass the time.
Seven has the best line up, nine is too breakfasty and abc is going to be solid with kerry
Seven probably has the best line-up of guests, but I think I’ll stick to the ABC.
David – you missed the best alternative of all:
Collingwood v Port Adelaide on the primary channel in Vic and SA – (7Mate everywhere else I think)
@matthutchinson10 – I hope you’re right.
The Julian Assange telemovie is on Universal channel that night as well – can’t wait to see again.
What will be interesting is what TEN (Syd & Bris) do should Election coverage have to go past Rugby starting time – which will play on ONE? Rugby or election?
Seven sounds like visual diarrhea. Not at all interested in bogan opinions via “twitter”, misspelling “Labor”, and simply being disrespectful and rude. Just the facts ma’m, just the facts.
Saw a preview of ABC’s on 24 today. Looks clean, simple, uncluttered, and of course Antony Green etc.
As everyone gets a feed from the AEC computer no one will be “sooner” than anyone else with figures.
Might watch TEN for a bit then catchup on PVR/Netflix. Election coverage is definitely not must see TV.
I will be watching which ever channel has the least or no social media segments. If I wanted to read people’s tweets, I’d sit on Twitter all night.
I have an episode of Dalziel and Pascoe and The Notorious Landlady saved up.
I will try to catch one of Antony Green’s updates to see if anything interesting happened and check my electorate result online. Interested in the senate but it will take them weeks to sort the mess of informal votes and preferences. .
I think I’ll be watching Ten’s coverage, switching between Ru Paul’s Drag Race during the ad breaks, I hope I don’t get the two mixed up.
Good god, what at abysmal night of television tomorrow night. How boring to watch election coverage all night while trying to decipher the social media comments popping up on screen which I could not care less about. The alternative options are just as pathetic. Watching Harry Potter on GO! is like watching someone play the original Pong or Pacman, just massive pixels moving around the screen.
I will be watching the Collingwood V Port Adelaide final, at least that contest won’t be a one-sided result.
We will be watching the rugby on ONE Australia v South Africa 🙂