Australia decides: Where to watch Saturday's election coverage
Once again, Sandra Sully, she of the golden tonsils, has been entrusted to helm Ten's coverage alongside national affairs editor Hugh Riminton and network political editor Ashleigh Raper.
Joining the Ten anchors will be a revolving door of political heavy-hitters, with Ten banking on fireworks between teal independent Kylea Tink MP, Liberal Senator Dave Sharma, Senator Jacqui Lambie and the Nationals' David Littleproud.
Unique selling point: Ten has historically been the free-to-air network that loves The Youth™, so they're smart to rope in The Betoota Advocate' s Errol Parker and Clancy Overell to join the broadcast live from Betoota HQ.
Channel Seven, Australia Decides
We love a confident broadcaster, and before even a vote has been cast, Channel Seven is making a huge call: they're promising to call the election first. According to Seven's press release, they will utilise 'cutting-edge technology' to deliver up-to-the-minute results.
Sadly, this doesn't refer to the Cash Cow in a cupboard tallying ballots. Instead, Seven will use the 7NEWS Power Board, a state-of-the-art, touch-screen technology made famous by CNN's John King during the most recent US presidential election. The Power Board can fast-track pre-poll and postal votes, providing viewers with an early indication of how the public is leaning.
Veteran reporters Michael Usher and Natalie Barr will steer the ship alongside veteran 7NEWS political editor Mark Riley.
Unique selling point: Seven has booked Clive Palmer to appear on air, so someone can ask him on national TV to stop sending so many text messages.
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SBS
While other networks focus on bells and whistles, SBS is doing what it does best: Solid But Sensible. Their coverage will begin at 6.30pm, anchored by World News presenter Janice Petersen, with chief political correspondent Anna Henderson as featured guest.
Unique selling point: NITV coverage will focus on the Northern Territory as Australia's most significant Indigenous constituency and interview First Nations voters at polling booths around the country.
Sky News, Australia Decides
For those who can't get enough of early polling numbers, Sky News has you covered from sun-up to sundown. Things kick off at 6am with Peter Stefanovic hosting First Edition: Australia Decides, then continue to the evening.
Kieran Gilbert will host Sky's evening coverage alongside a panel that includes Peta Credlin, Andrew Clennell, Chris Uhlmann, Murray Watt, Joel Fitzgibbon and Sky News chief election analyst Tom Connell. Expect regular crosses to Sharri Markson and Paul Murray at Liberal HQ and Chris Kenny and Laura Jayes at Labor HQ, providing on-the-ground reactions as results come in.
Unique selling point: Barnaby Joyce is joining Sky's coverage, which means something hilarious is likely.
ABC, Australia Votes
Props to ABC for slightly altering the name of their coverage and opting for Australia Votes instead of Australia Decides. And while Australia will indeed be voting, Australia will also be crying (#AustraliaCries), with analyst Antony Green crunching the numbers for the final time after announcing his retirement from the role following more than three decades of elections.
Primary coverage starts at 6pm, and it's an all-star line-up, like the Avengers of Ultimo.
We're talking David Speers, Sarah Ferguson, Annabel Crabb and Laura Tingle, along with Bridget Brennan, who will interview candidates from across the country. Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Coalition Senator James McGrath will also provide insights throughout the night.
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