You’re going to hear the result whether you like it or not, unless you block your ears and hide in a cave (actually, you’d probably hear it there too). But you also might want to watch this year’s US Presidential election live: after all, it’s widely considered to be one of the most significant and impactful elections in modern history.
The two lead characters are, of course, current Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, from the Democrats and Republican Party respectively.
Held, as always, on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, the results in Australian time will begin flowing through in the afternoon of Wednesday November 6. Our tip for quality coverage is to tune into ABC News via ABC iView, which will be launching its devoted election coverage at 10am.
The election will of course be covered on other streaming platforms including 10 Play, which will be streaming its “America Decides” program from around 10am. But we recommend good ol’ Aunty ABC. More details below.
Rundown for the day on ABC TV.
0500 – 1000 AEDT: Start the day with an extended ABC News Breakfast with Michael Rowland reporting live from Washington DC.
1000 – 1900 AEDT: USA Votes. Join Jeremy Fernandez, Bridget Brennan, Casey Briggs and Julia Baird from the ABC Election Centre for up-to-the-minute results from across the US, with live reporting from ABC North America correspondents Jade Macmillan, Barbara Miller and Carrington Clarke. They’ll be joined throughout the day by former BBC correspondent and author Nick Bryant, former NBC correspondent and News Breakfast regular Sara James and leading political scientist Simon Jackman.
David Speers will provide insights and analysis from Washington DC joined by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, former Ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos and former Deputy Chief of Staff to Donald Trump, Emma Doyle.
Isabella Higgins and Elias Clure will be live from Arizona and Michigan with real-time reactions from Americans in two of the crucial battleground states pivotal to Harris and Trump’s chances. ABC Global Affairs Editor John Lyons will be in Washington DC to give international reactions and perspective.
Planet America hosts John Barron and Chas Licciardello will add their insights and commentary as the results unfold, while Leigh Sales and Lisa Millar bring audiences the latest from the ABC’s complete online coverage.
1900 – 2000 (Local): A 7PM USA Votes special will wrap the day’s key events from Washington DC. Hosted by Sarah Ferguson and David Speers, ABC News looks back at the historic day in US politics and brings audiences all the local reaction from Australia. It will also include local news, sport and weather from the ABC’s State and Territory newsrooms.
2000 – 2100 (AEDT) Planet America on ABC News Channel (2130 – 2230 (Local) ENCORE on ABC TV) Chas and John return for their fourth US presidential election special live show, joined by expert guests to unpack the complexities of US politics.
2100 – 2400 (AEDT): ABC News Channel continues special coverage as the US wakes on the day after the election, with Girish Sawlani and Lorna Dunkley, plus former ABC North America correspondent Conor Duffy.
Across the day on ABC News Digital, a dedicated US election page will feature live news updates and results, broken down state-by-state, and all the latest commentary and analysis. Interactive results explainers will help you understand which states helped win the White House.
Tune in to ABC News Radio for live coverage and ABC Local Radio and RN will also provide special coverage across the day.
You can also stay up to date with your favourite podcasts; ABC News Daily, Not Stupid, The Party Room and If You’re Listening will all include key analysis and insights.
