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Brian Williams will cover election night in Amazon Prime’s first foray into news

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Brian Williams will cover election night in Amazon Prime's first foray into news

As a seasoned cinema enthusiast who has witnessed the rise and fall of many media personalities, I must say that Brian Williams‘ return to the live news coverage scene is a momentous event. Having spent 28 years at NBC News, his experience anchoring election night programs in 2008, 2012, and 2016, as well as MSNBC’s coverage in 2020, makes him the perfect candidate for Amazon’s Prime Video’s first attempt at live news coverage.

According to two sources with knowledge of the situation, Brian Williams, previously known for his work at NBC News, is close to finalizing a contract to host real-time coverage of the presidential election results on Amazon’s Prime Video. This would mark Amazon’s inaugural effort in providing live news broadcasts.

After departing from television in 2021 following 28 years of service, Williams, who is now 65, has been discussing potential projects with various networks and streaming platforms. However, this is the first opportunity that has materialized. Given his past experiences, such as leading NBC’s presidential election night programs in 2008 and 2012, as well as MSNBC’s coverage in 2016 and 2020, Williams seems to feel at ease with Amazon Prime Video.

A spokesperson for Prime Video chose not to provide a statement, but sources familiar with the situation have indicated that a deal is about to be finalized.

The significant move by financially robust Amazon into live news broadcasting may not be met with enthusiasm by traditional television networks, who are finding it challenging to sustain their finances amidst a shift in audience preferences towards streaming services. As we approach the 2024 elections, almost every news organization is seeking ways to reduce expenses.

Over the past few years, I’ve found myself increasingly drawn to Amazon Prime Video, particularly as it’s been stepping up its game in live sports broadcasting with Thursday night NFL games. And get this – starting from the 2025-26 season, it’ll be my go-to platform for NBA action! Now, I can’t help but wonder if live news could be their next big venture.

Currently, it appears that the election night program is intended as a single, standalone event rather than an initiative to expand Amazon’s Prime Video into the television news industry, based on information from someone involved in the talks.

Amazon executives have been convinced to explore news content, given the anticipation that a significant number of younger voters who typically avoid conventional TV will take part in the upcoming election featuring Vice President Kamala Harris and ex-President Trump. A large portion of these voters are shifting towards TikTok and YouTube for their information needs.

On November 5th, Amazon’s studio in Culver City will serve as the broadcasting hub for Prime Video’s election coverage, with live streaming commencing an hour before the polls close. The intention is to keep Anderson Cooper on air until a victor is officially declared. However, there may be a tight race that could require several days to resolve.

Amazon’s Prime Video isn’t associated with its own news broadcasting service. Despite Jeff Bezos being the founder of Amazon, his ownership of The Washington Post doesn’t imply the newspaper will be part of this project. Instead, it is Jonathan Wald, a seasoned TV news producer and executive who collaborated extensively with Williams at NBC, who will manage the production process.

In contrast to typical election coverage, this program will deviate from the norm. Unlike other operations, Williams’ team won’t have a control room where they analyze data and declare winners. Instead, Amazon Prime Video will rely on the state-by-state results called out by the Associated Press.

Prime Video’s coverage will resemble the nightly MSNBC show “The 11th Hour With Brian Williams,” where the host discusses the day’s events with reporters, historians, and experts in a casual yet insightful manner. Brian Williams developed a significant fanbase due to his quick wit and engaging style when tackling various subjects.

“The show ‘The 11th Hour’ helped revive Williams’ career. After a scandal involving false statements about his Iraq War coverage led to him losing his coveted anchor role on ‘NBC Nightly News’, which he had held for a decade, he joined MSNBC in 2015.

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2024-09-28 21:01

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