Election Day TV coverage: What do I watch tonight? Should I vote for David Dimbleby or Jeremy Paxman?
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Your support makes all the difference.You’ve cast your ballot, eaten your dinner and cracked open that bottle of red hoping that if you drink enough you won’t mind who wins. Now for the most important vote: what election coverage to tune into?
BBC
Will you pledge allegiance to David Dimbleby for his final overnight special? He has been doing it since 1979 so is rather a dab hand at these matters. One might argue that tonight is as much of a watershed for moment for the Beeb as it is for the Coalition, only with the era of Dimbleby’s election coverage certain to come to an end in the early hours. The veteran broadcaster is supported by a small army of Auntie’s finest, including Emily Maitlis, Jeremy Vine and Sophie Raworth.
9.55pm-7am
David Mitchell and Jeremy Paxman will be hosting Channel 4's Alternative Election Night on May 7th (PA)
Channel 4
Or will the allure of Jeremy Paxman get you turning over to Channel 4 for his “Alternative” coverage? The Paxmanator will promisingly be assisted by comedian David Mitchell and there will even be electoral analysis from the families off Gogglebox. We’ve really missed Paxman since his Newsnight days and what could provide more ample opportunity for his sardonic eyebrow communication and deadpan humour than Channel 4's kooky lineup? If you’re not planning on taking things too seriously this is for you.
9pm-6am
ITV Newsman: Tom Bradby
ITV1
Not to be outdone by the BBC which is mercifully advertising-free, ITV has suspended ad breaks for the entirety of its election night coverage. So we will have unbroken access to Tom Bradby (you know, the one who interviewed Kate and Wills) for a whole eight hours. Data analysis will be provided by the lovely Julie Etchingham whom you might remember acting ref between the seven party leaders in the most top-heavy TV debate so far. Can she and Bradby succeed in grabbing attention away from the gravitas (Dimbleby) and wit (Paxman) of the other broadcasters? We’re not so sure.
9.55pm-6am
Ed Miliband with Sky's Kay Burley (AFP)
Sky News
Those of you who recently subscribed to Sky to access Game of Thrones season 5 might find yourself pondering the attraction of Adam Boulton and Kay Burley’s election night coverage. Not a pair to stick to the autocue, and both having had their fair share of controversy, it’s unlikely that they will toe the party line, as it were, for the whole 15 hours of coverage. Our money’s on Burley to say something outrageous and grab some of tomorrow’s headlines.
From 9pm
BBC Radio 4
If, like me, you sometimes fall asleep with the radio on then dropping off to the lulling strains of the Today programme’s James Naughtie might be just the ticket. Be assured you’ll sit bolt upright in bed if anything exciting happens during the eight hours of election coverage that will replace the World Service tonight. PM presenter Carolyn Quinn will be on hand to provide her usual sassy insights and the Beeb’s reporters from across the country will be phoning in updates from key constituencies.
From 10pm
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