Behind the Scenes at ABC News on Election Night

On November 5th, I had the rare opportunity to step behind the scenes at ABC 7 News in Los Angeles on one of the most critical nights of the year: election night. This wasn’t just any newsroom visit. This was a chance to witness how a top-tier team operates during a high-pressure, real-time event where every second counts.

I’m no stranger to being on television and have even written about how to get on TV from when I debated Mark Zuckerberg live on CNN. I was also given the privilege of touring the CNN headquarters at the time. But since it was election day – it was so unique to get a peak at where the magic happens and results and analysis gets compiled first.

Marielle, our guide and a longtime ABC executive, greeted us at the door with an energy that was both calm and focused. “Tonight, it’s all hands on deck,” she said as she led us to the control room. From the moment we walked in, I was struck by the precision and intensity of what I was seeing.

Dozens of monitors displayed live feeds from polling locations, candidate speeches, and reporters in the field. The director sat in the center of it all, orchestrating the broadcast like a conductor leading a symphony. 

I watched as the team worked together to keep the broadcast flowing. Producers handed the director updates on breaking news, which he integrated into the show without hesitation.

Scripts had already been pre-written and loaded into teleprompter software by a team of writers and producers earlier in the week. “Everything is prepared ahead of time, but we’re always ready to pivot,” Marielle explained. “Election night is unpredictable, so we plan for the unexpected.”

When that happens, the team doesn’t panic—they pivot. Producers quickly decide which stories to cut or reschedule, the director reorganizes the live feed, and anchors prepare to deliver updates on the fly.

Watching this unfold was nothing short of mesmerizing. The team’s ability to adapt so seamlessly wasn’t just a testament to their skill but also to the systems they had in place. Every role was defined, and every person knew exactly what to do in any given situation.

Marielle introduced us to Maria, the teleprompter operator. Maria’s job was to ensure the anchors could read their scripts naturally, adjusting the teleprompter’s speed to match each anchor’s delivery style. “Some anchors speak fast, others slower,” Marielle explained. “Maria has to match their pace so it feels seamless to the audience.” It was a small but critical detail that highlighted how much thought and precision goes into every aspect of the broadcast.

As we moved through the newsroom, I could feel the energy shift with each update. Reporters were on the phones, coordinating with their teams in the field. Producers were monitoring live feeds, ready to pivot at a moment’s notice. The anchors, calm and composed, reviewed their notes, preparing to go live. The entire room felt like a well-rehearsed performance, even as it adjusted in real time to the unpredictability of election night.

Marielle shared stories that demonstrated the team’s adaptability. She told us about David Ono, a veteran reporter who had been vacationing in Maui when wildfires broke out earlier in the year. Without hesitation, David grabbed his iPhone, captured footage, and sent it back to the newsroom. Within minutes, his coverage was live on air. “That’s the level of commitment here,” Marielle said. “Everyone is ready to jump in, no matter where they are or what they’re doing.”

This flexibility isn’t accidental—it’s the result of years of refining processes and building trust among team members. The newsroom thrives on a balance of structure and spontaneity. Systems provide the foundation, but it’s the people who make those systems work under pressure.

There was also a catalog of other big events they had reported on in the past stretching along the entire wall. This is the documentation of their work over time – that they could always go back and be proud of their reporting, and always be able to find it at a moment’s notice.

At the video archives, Marielle pointed out the physical tapes from 9/11– a profound day that she gave insight on from a news standpoint.

As the tour continued, Marielle made it clear that passion fuels everything at the station. Many of the staff have been with the organization for decades, driven by a shared commitment to delivering accurate, timely news. “This isn’t a 9-to-5 job,” Marielle said. “Everyone here loves what they do. They’d probably sleep here if they could.”

She wasn’t exaggerating. The dedication of the team was evident in every interaction we witnessed. From the producers juggling multiple tasks to the anchors delivering breaking news with poise, the passion for the work was palpable. It’s that passion that enables them to work long hours, adapt to constant changes, and still deliver a flawless broadcast.

We stopped briefly at the Emmy awards displayed in the newsroom. Marielle explained that while the team takes pride in these accolades, they don’t work for the recognition. “We do it to get the story right,” she said. “The awards just mean we’re doing our job well.”

As I stood there, I couldn’t help but think about how these principles apply to marketing and business operations. What makes their reporting so successful isn’t just their talent or resources—it’s their systems, their adaptability, and their unwavering commitment to serving their audience.

In business, we face our own version of breaking news every day. Trends shift, customer behaviors change, and unexpected challenges arise. Without solid systems, you’re constantly reacting, scrambling to keep up. But with systems in place, you can pivot with purpose, just like ABC’s newsroom.

Think about your own operations. Do you have workflows that allow you to adapt when things don’t go as planned? Are your team roles clearly defined, with room for flexibility? Do you have the tools you need to track, measure, and adjust your efforts in real time?

At BlitzMetrics we have our own version called the 9 Triangles, where personal accountability and responsibility are the first steps to building your team up for success. But the point is that ABC News, just like your business, should have clear and defined roles and SOPs.

For example, we have the 6 stages of the Content Factory, where if something goes wrong or a task isn’t completed, we can see exactly what went haywire and fix it. But just like how ABC is only as good as their reporters – your business is only as good as the VAs or employees you work with.

If something goes wrong at ABC on election night, does Bob Iger at their parent company Disney step in personally to fix it? No, because there are clear expectations and SOPs that reporters can follow.

ABC news is more than one person – which means that bottlenecks can never be allowed to form when people are counting on them to deliver the news ASAP.

Just as ABC prepares for election night with pre-written scripts, contingency plans, and clear communication, your team should be built on a foundation of preparation. Automation tools, content calendars, and predefined processes are your version of the teleprompter and director’s feed. They free you to focus on strategy, creativity, and serving your audience.

But systems alone aren’t enough. What puts successful broadcasters apart is the passion of its reporters. If you’re employees aren’t passionate about what you’re doing, it will show. Whether it’s building a campaign or solving a customer’s problem, the energy and intention your team brings to your work make all the difference.

Leaving the newsroom that night, I felt inspired. Watching the ABC team work reminded me that success in any field—whether it’s journalism, marketing, or running a business—comes down to the same principles: preparation, accountability, and the ability to move on their feet to solve problems and deliver news for their viewers.

Marielle and the team of reporters at the station didn’t just show me how live television is made; they showed me what excellence looks like when systems and passion come together. Now it’s up to us to take those lessons and apply them in our own work. Because whether you’re broadcasting election results or running a team of VAs or employees, success is about delivering when it matters most.