by Thinus Ferreira
Amazon Prime Video is expanding into news coverage for the first time with the video streaming service which will cover the upcoming 2024 American presidential election on 5 November with rolling coverage for viewers globally, including South Africa.
Amazon says its Amazon Prime Video streamer will be a "one-stop destination for election insights" when it streams Election Night Live with Brian Williams from 23:00 on 5 November.
The programme will be produced by Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirsher with Jonathan Wald as executive producer and showrunner and is Amazon Prime Video's first streaming of a major live news event.
Election Night Live with Brian Williams will be available in English to Amazon users in most countries where Amazon Prime Video is available, regardless of whether they have are subscribers of Amazon Prime Video.
Brian Williams, a former American TV news anchor who left NBCUniversal's American TV news channel MSNBC at the end of 2021, will be joined live by guests to share real-time poll results and commentary in the election race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
According to Amazon Prime Video, Election Night Live with Brian Williams "will meet global viewers where they are, providing a unique, first-stop opportunity to follow the evening's results in an informative, accessible and non-partisan presentation directly on Prime Video".
Brian Williams will be joined in conversation by a variety of experts across news and politics with insights and analysis.
"After 41 years in the business - from local news to network shows to cable news - this feels like the next big thing. And the global marketplace of Amazon is a natural home for this first-of-its-kind venture," says Brian Williams in a statement.
"Together we will follow the storyline on election night wherever it leads us."
Albert Cheng, vice president and head of Amazon Prime Video, says "Amazon Prime Video is excited to host Brian Williams for a one-night-only election night special event".
"This non-partisan live special will draw from major news sources and complement the various partner news channels available on Amazon Prime Video. Our comprehensive offering is designed to give today's viewer a direct and seamless way to keep up with election results."
