Amazon Enlists Shepard Smith for ‘Election Night Live’ with Brian Williams
Former Fox News anchor Shepard Smith is set to join forces with longtime NBC and MSNBC anchor Brian Williams for an unprecedented live streaming coverage of the 2024 presidential election results on Amazon Prime Video. This exclusive event, named Election Night Live with Brian Williams, marks a groundbreaking venture in the election night coverage domain.
Smith will be reporting from Vice President Kamala Harris’ election headquarters, making his return to television screens after departing CNBC in 2022. Williams expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting the significance of this initiative as a new milestone in election night broadcasting, akin to the introduction of color television.
The election coverage on Amazon will source its data from the Associated Press and Reuters and will feature insights from political consultants James Carville and Mike Murphy, along with writer-comedian Baratunde Thurston. Williams, alongside former CNN and MSNBC executive producer Jonathan Wald, has been diligently working to establish a one-night news division for this special broadcast.
Following his departure from MSNBC and The 11th Hour in 2021 after nearly three decades at NBC News, Williams expressed gratitude to viewers for their support. MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle took over as host of The 11th Hour in January 2022, succeeding Williams in the late-night slot.
Amazon’s foray into live news coverage with this event will serve as a litmus test for the company’s future endeavors in the news space. The special is expected to be a polished and engaging production, incorporating familiar elements of election night coverage, such as a "magic wall" to analyze state-by-state election returns and each candidate’s path to 270 electoral votes.
The live stream of Election Night Live with Brian Williams will commence at 5 p.m. ET on Amazon.com, accessible to viewers free of charge, irrespective of Prime Video subscription status. Williams acknowledged the ambitious nature of the project, emphasizing his role for just one night and leaving the ultimate verdict on the experiment to Amazon.
For Smith, a renowned journalist known for his adeptness in breaking news coverage, this collaboration presents an opportunity to showcase his skills after facing challenges in finding his footing at CNBC. CNBC’s attempt to broaden its viewer base with Smith’s hire in 2020 ultimately revealed a disconnect with news-seeking audiences who did not gravitate towards the network for evening news programming.
In conclusion, Amazon’s Election Night Live special signifies a bold step into the live news arena, bringing together a dynamic duo of seasoned anchors for an innovative election night experience.
