NewsNation is first TV network to call presidential race for Trump thanks to Decision Desk HQ
As a seasoned news consumer with decades of political coverage under my belt, I must say that this year’s election night was one for the books! The anticipation was palpable as we all eagerly awaited the results, and it was truly exciting to see NewsNation make history by calling key battleground states early in the evening.
In the past few months, numerous polls aired on television news suggested that the 2024 presidential election would be closely contested. Indeed, this turned out to be accurate throughout much of Election Night.
Initially, it seemed like viewers would be treated to continuous displays of red, white, and blue visuals for an additional day during the broadcast of the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Trump.
As the outcomes were revealed for the seven crucial states, each network showed restraint, understanding that these key regions hold the route to the 270 electoral votes necessary to win the presidency.
Initially, NewsNation, using information from Decision Desk HQ, announced Trump’s victory in the race at 1:22 a.m. Eastern Time, granting him 19 electoral votes from Pennsylvania and three from Alaska. Subsequently, Fox News made the same call at 1:47 a.m. Eastern Time, assigning Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes to Trump as well.
Scott Tranter, head of data science for Decision Desk HQ, explained to Chris Cuomo on NewsNation that Harris was maintaining Joe Biden’s margins across Pennsylvania during the election. However, Trump managed to surpass his 2020 vote margins by around 4% to 6%, particularly in crucial counties like Bucks. In essence, this means that while Vice President Harris did her part, Trump garnered a few more votes where it mattered, making the result quite clear around 1 a.m. this morning.
As of approximately 2:30 a.m. Eastern time, ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN (all relying on Edison Research for their data) still had Trump at 266 electoral votes. On the other hand, Fox News collaborates with the Associated Press and NORC for their election data.
In the 2020 presidential election, Decision Desk HQ, a data and vote analysis provider for various news outlets, announced the victory of President Biden a day ahead of other networks. During that election cycle, they were supplying data to Vox and Business Insider.
Should the show unfold as expected, I’ll be witnessing history being made, with Trump potentially becoming the first president since Grover Cleveland to secure a non-consecutive term. This twist, initially hinted at prolonged vote counting for several days, is certainly an unexpected plot twist in this political drama I’m watching unfold.
On Fox News, a message appeared saying “The decisive states in the election are still undecided,” several hours following the closure of polls at 9 pm Eastern Time. CBS News host Norah O’Donnell advised viewers to be patient.
Even some conservative analysts on Fox News, who were certain of a Trump victory and criticized Harris’ capabilities as a contender, acknowledged the close nature of the race.
Initially unsure outcomes prompted extensive county-wise analysis using tools like CNN’s “Magic Wall,” Fox News’ “Bill-board,” and MSNBC’s large board by their respective analysts, John King, Bill Hemmer, and Steve Kornacki.
Chris Stirewalt, the political editor for cable network NewsNation, expressed his hope earlier tonight that everyone has a good grasp of the historical geography of Pennsylvania.
On that particular evening, news outlets brought in legal analysts and panelists as precautionary measures, anticipating potential legal issues or lawsuits; however, they found themselves with minimal work during the course of the night.
During the explanation of the election results, King emphasized the unpredictability of the 2020 race by recalling instances where state outcomes shifted. “Let me repeat this carefully,” he stated. “During the wee hours of 2020, certain states switched their votes.” He went on to mention specific examples: “Pennsylvania was one of them. At that time, Trump led in Georgia. The situation has evolved.
From 7 p.m. Eastern onwards, Decision Desk HQ’s probability meter displayed signs suggesting a Trump victory on NewsNation’s screen. Using data from Decision Desk HQ, NewsNation became the first network to predict a battleground state, declaring North Carolina for Trump around 9:30 p.m. Eastern. They were also the first to forecast Georgia as a Trump win.
The initial success is a significant achievement for NewsNation, which belongs to the Nexstar Media Group based in Irving, Texas. Established in 2020, the network is currently lagging behind Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC according to Nielsen ratings. However, it has experienced viewer growth every year since its inception.
As the polls were about to close, cable news channels kept viewers engaged by counting down to the closure time.
Throughout the day, the initial outcomes from the quaint hamlet of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire – a place known for casting its votes at midnight on Election Day – were broadcast.
Among a deeply polarized voter base, there was acknowledgement of high levels of stress. Brian Williams, hosting the inaugural election night coverage on Amazon’s Prime Video, sought guidance from Dan Harris – a seasoned journalist previously with ABC News, who once experienced panic on “Good Morning America.
Williams wondered about the suggestions for those viewers who might be restless and anxious after consistently achieving 20,000 steps daily this week, perhaps with a drink they enjoy nearby?
“Deep breathing can reset the nervous system,” Harris said.
Amazon Studio in Los Angeles played host to a simplified, conversational format for Prime Video’s election program featuring Williams, eschewing fancy visual effects and data-driven presentations. Notable veterans from cable news such as Jessica Yellin, Candy Crowley, Don Lemon, and Shepard Smith contributed to the discussion.
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2024-11-06 12:31