Channel 4 General Election coverage to be home of expert analysis fronted by Guru-Murthy and Maitlis with Rest Is Politics duo throughout the night… and Gogglebox
Category: News Release
22 April 2024
Channel 4 is the first broadcaster to unveil details of its General Election night coverage with a line-up of heavyweight commentators and top-tier analysis. Presented by Krishnan Guru-Murthy and The News Agents’ Emily Maitlis, this election special will steer viewers through what many are predicting to be a game-changing moment in British politics. They will be joined exclusively throughout the night by The Rest is Politics podcast hosts Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart who will bring their own inimitable analysis across the night, and some familiar faces from Gogglebox will also be part of the eclectic line-up.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy is lead London presenter of Channel 4 News, and Emily Maitlis is the co-presenter of Global’s daily podcast The News Agents. Cathy Newman will be presenting from the campaign HQs for the Conservatives and Labour. Clare Balding will once again be on hand to breakdown the data as it comes in. An array of frontline politicians and commentators across the political spectrum will join the team throughout the coverage to provide insight, and an audience of voters will be present in the studio to engage in debate as the night unfolds.
C4 News’ Political Editor Gary Gibbon will be on hand throughout for his first class analysis. And a team of reporters will be at key counts across the country capturing the moments of drama as the results are declared.
Going beyond Westminster, and in a uniquely Channel 4 style, the coverage will also include exclusively commissioned inserts from Gogglebox favourites, providing their take on the election campaign.
The programme will be made by ITN Productions.
Channel 4 News will deliver wider election coverage throughout the year with details to be released in due course. This begins on Thursday 25 April, with Guru-Murthy hosting a live local election debate from Gloucester as voters head to the poll (more information here). The daily news programme won a BAFTA and major gongs at the Royal Television Society this year for ongoing commitment to outstanding public service broadcast journalism.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy said: “I’m so looking forward to joining this brilliant line-up of people to capture an exciting and historic night. We will have piercing analysis, sharp interviews and all those memorable moments as the results come in. I think this is going to be one of those rare election nights we remember for decades so I hope viewers will enjoy spending it with us.”
Emily Maitlis said: “Delighted to be bringing The News Agents to the heart of Channel 4 on this important night - and to work with such an incredible cast of people. I cannot wait.”
Rory Stewart said: “I’m really looking forward to bringing the podcast to life on TV with Alastair live on Channel 4. Hopefully we can still disagree agreeably even in the heat of the electoral madness.”
Alastair Campbell said: “The success and continuing growth of The Rest Is Politics podcast has shown there is a huge appetite for serious sensible debate and on what promises to be one of the most important and exciting election nights in many a year I am delighted that Rory Stewart and I will be part of Channel 4’s coverage.”
Tony Pastor, co-founder of Goalhanger said: “We’re delighted to have been offered the chance to bring The Rest Is Politics to the screen on election night. We think the show’s regular 700,000 listeners will really enjoy seeing Rory and Alastair analyse the election live on Channel 4.”
Ian Rumsey, ITN's Managing Director of Content, will executive produce the programme, said: "We're thrilled to be producing Channel 4’s election night coverage. Our aim is to provide the sharpest, clearest and best-informed analysis - and we have a superb team ready to guide viewers through what is certain to be an historic and dramatic night."
Louisa Compton, Channel 4’s Head of News and Current Affairs and Specialist Factual and Sport says: “I am delighted we have managed to bring together such a stellar line up of some of the country’s leading political presenters and commentators ensuring Channel 4 is going to be the go-to destination for first class analysis on Election Night.”
Krishnan-Guru Murthy
Krishnan Guru-Murthy is the main London anchor of Channel 4 News, hosting Channel 4’s major political debates during elections, referenda and major events. The acclaimed broadcaster marked 25 years with the BAFTA award winning daily news programme last year. He regularly interviews writers, thinkers, artists and politicians at length for the podcast 'Ways to Change the World' and was named Presenter of the Year at the Royal Television Society Journalism Awards in 2022.
Emily Maitlis
Award-winning journalist and broadcaster Emily Maitlis was recognised by GQ Magazine as one of the most influential people in Britain. Having covered elections in the US and UK for the BBC, she fronted Newsnight, and that interview with Prince Andrew currently being made into a drama for Amazon - A Very Royal Scandal. She co presents the award winning daily political podcast The News Agents and the weekly The News Agents US with Global.
Alastair Campbell
Alastair Campbell is a podcaster, writer and strategist best known for his role as Tony Blair's spokesman, press secretary and director of communications and strategy. Still active in Labour politics, he now splits his time between hosting The Rest Is Politics, writing, speaking, charitable fundraising, politics and campaigning.
Rory Stewart
Rory Stewart is a podcaster, diplomat, author, explorer, academic, and former politician – serving in successive Conservative governments as Minister for Environment, Minister of State for International Development, Minister of State for Africa, and Minister of State for Prisons. Rory is the host of The Rest Is Politics podcast, as well as being a senior fellow at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, where he teaches politics and international relations.
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