Channel 4 is set to offer a satirical alternative to BBC and ITV's general election results coverage with a four-hour live comedy show that will react to election news as its occurs. Channel 4's Alternative Election Night, broadcasting on Thursday 6th May, is set to be hosted by David Mitchell and Jimmy Carr.

The programme, recorded in front of a studio audience, is aiming to provide viewers with humorous reactions to the night's events as they happen. Channel 4 describes the ambitious show as "a provocative, cerebral and entertaining take on all things election, featuring discussion, specially recorded segments and audience reaction."

Channel 4's Alternative Election Night, which is being produced by Zeppotron Productions - the company behind 8 Out Of 10 Cats, will feature contributions from Channel 4's stable of comedians, a range of pundits and an in-studio bookmaker. The election results will be covered as they come in, between politics-themed pre-recorded shows including Fonejacker, a special of Charlie Brooker's You Have Been Watching and a politics-based edition of Come Dine with Me.

Meanwhile in the three days leading up to the big night, Channel 4 will broadcast The Daily Rory Election Show in which Rory Bremner, John Bird and John Fortune will give their own cutting, comic take on the election as it builds to its climax.

Over on the BBC, topical panel show Have I Got News For You will be the corporation's main vehicle for satirical election-based comment. Viewers will no doubt already have noticed that the programme has broken with it traditions and moved to a new Thursday night slot to put it in a prime position to tackle the forthcoming battles.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Radio 4 starts broadcasting The Vote Now Show, a spin-off from The Now Show. The show will broadcast every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 11pm until the election. Hosted by Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis, it will be tackling all the election issues head-on in the usual Now Show style. The episodes will be recorded in front of an audience at the BBC Radio Theatre just a few hours before transmission for extra topicality.

The satirical programmes broadcasting in the run-up to the polls must tread carefully. Strict Ofcom rules regarding impartiality exist to ensure no entertainment show unfairly skews the results.