Amazon is in talks with Brian Williams, the former NBC News and MSNBC anchor, to host an election night special for the streaming service, according to two sources familiar with the plans.
The special would be the first major high profile project for Williams, who exited his popular MSNBC show The 11th Hour in 2021.
The deal is not done, and a source cautioned that the special should not be a signal that Amazon Prime Video is moving into news. The special would feature a mix of contributors, with the goal that the special would be non-partisan.
That said, the special would mark Amazon’s first foray into a live news event, at a time when linear networks are also trying to gain a foothold in streaming. All major broadcast networks have streaming channels, while MSNBC, CNN and Fox News have taken various approaches in platforms. Election night is likely to be one of the most watched nights of the year, when broadcast and cable networks and news streaming channels will be firing on all cylinders to analyze the results.
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When Williams exited, there was immense speculation over his future plans, but he has yet to make a return to the airwaves. Variety and Puck first reported on plans for the special.
Williams served as anchor of NBC Nightly News from 2004 to 2015, when he was removed amid reports that, in talk show appearances, he embellished some of his experiences covering the war in Iraq. He was then assigned to anchor for MSNBC, and in 2016 became the host of the network’s The 11th Hour, which established a following, in part for Williams’ wit and unique takes during the Trump presidency.
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