BBC World Service will offer special coverage on election night, November 8, and additional special programming on the day after, November 9. Program schedules and clock details follow.

“America Decides” U.S. Election Night Special:

The BBC will broadcast live on election night, with 12 hours of results, reactions and analysis starting at 5:00pm ET on Nov 8 through 5:00am ET on Nov 9. Join presenters Tim Franks, Shaimaa Khalil, James Naughtie, and Philippa Thomas for the latest from campaign headquarters and key swing states, as well as in-studio guests and input from social media. After midnight, they’ll begin incorporating reaction from around the world via a host in London and teams in key global capitals.

James Naughtie will anchor from 5:00pm ET bringing all presenters into the discussion about the hours ahead. Philippa Thomas will be in Virginia at the start of the night. Shaimaa Khalil will also specialize in world/social media reaction at times when she is not the main presenter. There will be social media teams in both Washington and London to make sure the global attention the election is expected to demand is fully reflected.

This live special coverage, titled “America Decides”, will follow the BBC World Service clock, although please note that BBC may break format for key announcements and acceptance/concession speeches by the two main candidates. The 29:00 and 59:00 breaks will promote the special coverage, and BBC will have a promo team working that night to update. During top of the hour newscasts, there will be a live reporter available for a reactive bulletin piece.

Presenter schedule for “America Decides”:

5:00 – 6:00pm ET: James Naughtie anchors live coverage, including all presenters discussing the night ahead.
6:00 – 8:00pm ET: Tim Franks and Shaimaa Khalil present live coverage.
8:00 – Midnight ET: James Naughtie & Philippa Thomas present live coverage.
Midnight – 5:00am ET: Tim Franks & Shaimaa Khalil present live coverage.

Post-Election Coverage on November 9:

BBC World Service’s special coverage will continue through 5:00pm ET. Programs will follow their respective clocks (World Service or Newshour).

5:00am ET – World Update;
6:00am ET – Outside Source;
7:00am ET – Outside Source;
8:00am ET – The Newsroom;
9:00am ET – Newshour;
10:00am ET – Newshour;
11:00am ET – World Have Your Say;
Noon ET – World Have Your Say;
1:00pm ET – “America’s Choice” The election results dissected in a one-hour special program presented by Stephen Sackur (available to broadcast for 24 hours, events notwithstanding); 2:00pm ET – The Newsroom; 3:00pm ET – Newshour; 4:00pm ET – Newshour.

Any additional schedule/clock updates will be communicated via ContentDepot.