Federal Election 2019: How to watch it on TV as star heavyweights pack a punch

As Australian voters head to the polls on May 18, Australian TV networks are bringing out the big guns for their political coverage. FIND OUT WHO’S ON TV

As Australian voters head to the polls on May 18, TV networks are bringing out the big guns in terms of political coverage.

With a tight race to the finishing line expected, viewers will be glued to their screen as election night unfolds.

Here’s your guide to TV coverage on the biggest night in Australian politics:

SKY

Sky News will kick off coverage of the election from 7am AEST on Saturday. From 11am, Tom Connell will take viewers live across the country as he speaks with reporters on the campaign trail.

From 5pm AEST, Political Editor David Speers will host Sky’s election night coverage with a panel of experts providing around-the-clock insights as Australia learns the outcomes of every seat.

Peta Credlin will head up the Sky News panel. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

Broadcasting from the Sky News Canberra studio in Parliament House, the panel will include Peta Credlin, Graham Richardson and Stephen Conroy, together with Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister for Finance, Mathias Cormann and Shadow Defence Minister, Richard Marles.

Sky’s comprehensive election coverage will continue on Sunday from 7am AEST as

David Speers breaks down the 2019 election result in a special extended edition of SPEERS on Sunday.

NINE

Over on Channel 9, all-day coverage kicks off at 7am AEST with Weekend Today.

As the night ramps up, the political heavyweights will be on deck to have their say.

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop is the star attraction on the panel, with rolling coverage kicking off from 7pm AEST.

Julie Bishop will be the star attraction on election night. Picture: Gary Ramage

The panel also features Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek, who is hoping to be deputy prime minister by the night’s end, Labor Shadow Minister Anthony Albanese and Nationals Deputy Leader Bridget McKenzie

ABC

After rolling news coverage from 7am AEST, the ABC’s Australia Votes: Election Night Live will kick off at 6pm.

Leigh Sales, Annabel Crabb, Andrew Probyn, Laura Tingle, Barrie Cassidy and Michael Rowland will head up the coverage.

Leigh Sales will be front and centre on election night.

ABC’s Chief Elections Analyst and viewer favourite Antony Green will also add his insights to the election.

The election night panel will include Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos and Labor Senator Penny Wong.

At 9am (AEST) on Sunday, Barrie Cassidy presents a 90-minute Insiders with analysis from panellists Niki Savva, Patricia Karvelas and David Crowe.

TEN

Ten’s coverage kicks off from 5pm AEST with 10 News First Your Vote, hosted by Sandra Sully, Hamish Macdonald and Chris Bath.

Waleed Aly and Peter van Onselen will deliver key insights on results as they happen.

Kristina Keneally will be on the Ten network. Picture: Kym Smith

The panel includes Christopher Pyne, Kristina Keneally, Sam Dastyari and Trent Zimmerman.

Before the number crunching begins, 10 is bringing a little bit of sizzle to election day with the Studio 10 Aussie Poll Party, which kicks off at 3pm.

Hosts Sarah Harris, Joe Hildebrand and Angela Bishop will check in with how Australians are voting from the city to the heart of the country.

SEVEN

Seven’s all-star election night panel includes Labor party powerbrokers Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen and NSW ALP Senator Jenny McAllister.

Senator Michaelia Cash will be on the Seven network. Picture: Kym Smith

And on the other side of the picture will be Coalition heavyweights Senator Michaelia Cash and former MP Craig Laundy. Rounding out our expert panel will be some of the sharpest political minds; Australian radio broadcaster Alan Jones and former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett.

Election coverage will ramp up from 6.45pm with 7 NEWS: Decision Night in Australia, hosted by Michael Usher and political editor Mark Riley.

SBS

Unlike other networks, this public broadcaster will be fashionably late with its election night coverage.

A special edition Vote 2019: SBS World News Special is due to air at 10.10pm on election night, with SBS screening two non-political Queen docos beforehand.

Once it does switch to politics, SBS’ election special - headed by World News presenter Janice Petersen and chief political correspondent Brett Mason - is due to air until 12:25am on Sunday morning, before the channel moves to Eurovision-related programming.

The live-to-air election special will include the latest results and analysis from the studio and will cross to reporters in key electorates and party HQs throughout Australia.

Earlier in the evening, it will broadcast its World News bulletin at 6:30pm, covering the election plus other domestic and international news.