Former TV Anchors Acosta and Couric Bet Big on Unscripted Midterm Livestream

58% of U.S. adults now rely on social media as a key source for news, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. This shift is driving a wave of former mainstream television anchors and independent journalists to bypass traditional networks for Election Night coverage. They are launching direct, unscripted livestreams to capture audiences and generate new subscription revenue.

Jim Acosta and Katie Couric will host a live stream from the University of Virginia. They have booked guests including Rahm Emanuel, Pete Buttigieg, and Tara Setmayer. Acosta describes the broadcast as "Murdoch-Ellison-free," referencing the ownership structures of Fox News and the Skydance-controlled CBS News and CNN. He says the pair will be free to let it rip without corporate oversight.

Scott MacFarlane, formerly of CBS News, will anchor a livestream for the progressive outlet MeidasTouch. He will go unscripted and without a teleprompter, speaking directly to followers starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday. He notes that his voice will not be curated by producers in the way it would be at a traditional TV outlet. This model is being replicated by dozens of other independent journalists.

Revenue models are central to this transition. Rashida Jones, CEO of Piers Morgan’s Uncensored, says the company aims to convert viewers into subscribers and attract advertisers. Jones notes that a strong showing during the election can generate new business. She views the current surge in digital audiences as a precursor to further growth over the next two years. Morgan is traveling from London to host several nights of coverage in Washington, D.C.

Chuck Todd and Chris Cillizza will host a stream called The Projection across YouTube, X, Substack, and other platforms. Don Lemon will host a show from a New York City bar, with guests including Joy Reid and Hunter Biden. Even CSPAN plans to simulcast hours of coverage from The Young Turks and conservative commentator Patrick Bet-David. These varied formats indicate a fragmented approach to covering the returns.

Mainstream media companies are also adapting to these digital trends. Fox Nation will run a three-hour live special led by the team behind the Ruthless podcast. Josh Holmes, a co-host, says the stream will supplement rather than compete with Fox News’ main coverage. NBC News is launching its first vertical-video program, led by anchor Gadi Schwartz, who will report from Texas. The program will use a conversational approach on social media feeds.

Couric and Acosta believe their legacy media experience gives them an advantage in transitioning to digital platforms. Couric says they entered with a built-in audience, which eases the move. They plan to intersect their respective fan bases during the election. Both anchors say they will dress more casually than they did for previous network coverage. Acosta added that there might be an open bar.