ITV has come out the blocks first with its head-to-head election debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.
The controversy will happen on Tuesday at 9 p.m. GMT (1 p.m. PT) and be hosted by Julie Etchingham, who moderated debates in the course of the 2015, 2017 and 2019 campaigns.
“Tens of millions of viewers worth the election debates,” mentioned Michael Jermey, ITV’s Director of Information and Present Affairs. “They provide an opportunity to see and listen to the social gathering leaders set out their pitch to the nation, debate straight with one another and take questions from voters. ITV is happy to be broadcasting the primary debate on this 12 months’s election marketing campaign.”
ITV added that it plans to broadcast further programing together with an interview present with different social gathering leaders and a multi-party debate. Particulars on these exhibits might be introduced in the end, the broadcaster mentioned.
The pinnacle-to-head might be one in all solely two between Sunak and Starmer. Incumbent Prime Minister Sunak had been eager for extra however Starmer, whose opposition Labour Celebration is miles forward within the polls, at all times drew the road at two. Deadline understands ITV was at all times eager to be earlier than the BBC and has previously refused to host debates if not given the primary chunk on the cherry.
The BBC mentioned yesterday it has invited the leaders of seven events together with smaller ones to its debate. The BBC additionally unveiled its election evening protection for the July 4 ballot, which might be led by Clive Myrie and Laura Kuenssberg.