How to watch US Election live streams in the UK for free
The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky News are providing free rolling coverage
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How to watch US Election coverage in the UK
US election night is here and you can watch America decide its future live on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky News, who are all airing US Election coverage in the UK (schedule, times, and channels below). Viewers can also live stream it forFREEon BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4. Currently traveling outside the UK?Use a VPN to watch this US Election coverage from anywhere.
The most consequential US Presidential Election since the last one has, with dispiriting predictability, descended into base schoolyard insults and a celebrity pageant. Whatever the outcome, half of the country is doomed to spend the next four years in a permanent state of outrage. The only question is: will the results be accepted?
Donald Trump vs Kamala Harris isn’t a bad dream. It really is happening, and it’s first to 270 electoral college votes, with Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin likely to be key. Here’s how to watch US Election coverage in the UK online and for free.
How to watch US Election on BBC iPlayer
The BBC’s dedicated US election show, simply titledBBC US Election 2024, runs from 10.40pm to 6am GMT on BBC One. Whether you tune in via linear TV orBBC iPlayer, you’ll need a valid TV licence.
Don’t forget you canuse a VPN to tap into your usual streaming service from abroad.
How to watch US Election on ITVX
ITV’s dedicated US Election show, titledHarris V Trump: The Results, runs from 10.45pm to 6am GMT on ITV1. It will also be available to stream live and on-demand onITVX.
Not currently in the country?Use NordVPN to watch US Election coverage on ITVX from abroad.
How to watch US Election on Channel 4
Channel 4’s dedicated US election show, titledLive: America Decides : US Presidential Election, runs from 10pm to 6am GMT on Channel 4, with live streaming available via theChannel 4platform.
Outside the UK?To access Channel 4 from abroad, you’ll need todownload a good VPN, as detailed below.
How to watch US Election on Sky News
Sky News' dedicated US election show, titledAmerica Votes, starts at 7pm GMT on Tuesday evening and runs until 10pm on Wednesday night.
If you don’t have a subscription,Sky News is available to live stream for free on YouTube. There are also a number ofSky TV plans and packagesavailable.
Unblock any stream with a VPN
Out of the country but prefer your US Election coverage with a British slant? You’ll likely be restricted from accessing national streaming services like BBC iPlayer due to geo-blocking restrictions.
Luckily, there’s an easy solution. Downloading aVPNwill allow you to connect to your favourite services no matter where you are. It’s a simple bit of software that changes your IP address, meaning that you can access on-demand content or live TV as if you were back at home.
Use a VPN to watch US Election coverage in the UK online from abroad:
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Can I watch US Election coverage for free in the UK?
Yes. US Election coverage is being provided by free-to-air broadcasters BBC, ITV and Channel 4. Sky News is available to live stream for free too.
Don’t forget you canuse a VPN to watch your preferred US Election coverage on your usual streaming service from abroad.
US Election coverage in the UK schedule
Who has the earliest US election coverage in the UK?
In the true American tradition, Sky News is going big. Its coverage begins at 7pm GMT on Tuesday, November 5 – at least three hours earlier than that of its rivals – and spans a staggering 27 hours.
Channel 4’s show starts at 10pm GMT, and will be followed by the BBC at 10.40pm, and ITV at 10.45pm.
US Election anchors in the UK
Who are the US Election coverage anchors in the UK?
BBCCaitríona Perry and Sumi Somaskanda will anchor the BBC’s coverage from Washington DC, with Katty Kay joining them in the studio. Christian Fraser, Marianna Spring, Clive Myrie, Sarah Smith and Gary O’Donoghue will also feature heavily.
ITVTom Bradby will anchor ITV’s coverage from Washington DC, joined by Anushka Asthana. Stormy Daniels, Sarah Palin, Trump’s Harris-supporting nephew Fred Trump III, former Trump spokeswoman Heather Nauert, and former Obama and Biden advisor Adam Hodge have been confirmed as guests.
Channel 4Channel 4 has enlisted Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Matt Frei, Emily Maitlis and Jeremy Vine with keeping a lid on a heavyweight lineup of guests, including Boris Johnson, Trump’s former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, former Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull, David Miliband, and Michael Gove. Stormy Daniels, Rufus Wainwright, Grayson Perry and Brian Cox (presumably the actor rather than the physicist) will also appear.
Sky NewsMark Austin and Yalda Hakim will lead Sky News' coverage, assisted by Mark Stone, James Matthews, Martha Kelner, Anna Botting and Gillian Joseph.
VPN services are evaluated and tested by us in view of legal recreational use. For example: a) Access to services from other countries, (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). b) Safeguarding your online security and making your online privacy more robust when abroad. Future plc does not support nor condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. We do not endorse nor approve of consuming pirated content that is paid-for.
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Aatif is a freelance copywriter and journalist based in the UK. He’s written about technology, science and politics for publications including Gizmodo, The Independent, Trusted Reviews and Newsweek, but focuses on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: sport and penny-pinching.
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