Not long before two of the Big Three Networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) were set to begin broadcasting their evening news programs on Monday, an apparent explosion or series of explosions rocked a concert arena in Manchester, England. Both ABC and CBS start their programs just after 6:30 PM, but only CBS managed to fit the terrible breaking news into their show while it was in progress. But ABC did find time to mention that Elvis Presley’s abandoned 30-years-old jets was up for sale.
“We have breaking news tonight in Manchester, England. Police there are responding to what they call a serious incident at an arena where the American singer Arianna Grande had been performing,” announced Anchor Scott Pelley part way through CBS Evening News.
Pelley leaned on reporter Jonathan Vigliotti, in CBS’s London newsroom, to fill in some of the details where he could. “Police are calling this as you described it a serious incident, video posted on social media shows people running to escape from the arena and a lot of commotion,” he told Pelley. “Reports say a concert by pop star Arianna Grande just concluded when observers said they heard what they characterized as explosions.”
According to Vigliotti, the local police took to social media to warn civilians to stay away from that part of town. He also noted that “Police cars, ambulances, and riot vans were seen outside the arena and the complex’s train station is now shut down. It is not known whether there are injuries at this point.”
Anchor Lester Holt, on NBC Nightly News, reported on the incident well into the program, which starts at seven o’clock. In the news brief, he said: “We're back now with some breaking news in Manchester, England, where police are responding to reports of what they are calling a “serious incident with confirmed fatalities” at the Manchester arena, where pop star Ariana Grande was holding a concert.”
“Videos posted on social media show people panicked, running and screaming apparently after witnesses say they heard loud bangs, though it is unclear exactly what happened,” Holt added. “Emergency services sent ambulances racing to the scene where again, police now say there are a number of confirmed fatalities and injuries.”
And for the Spanish-language networks, Univision was the only one to squeeze in the breaking news. On the other hand, Telemundo rambled on about a viral video of a sea lion pulling a little girl off a dock for almost two minutes.
As of the writing of this blog, it has been confirmed by CNN that 19 people have been killed and 50 people were injured.
Transcripts below:
CBS Evening News
May 22, 2017
6:43:21 PM EasternSCOTT PELLEY: We have breaking news tonight in Manchester, England. Police there are responding to what they call a serious incident at an arena where the American singer Arianna Grande had been performing. Jonathan Vigliotti is in our newsroom with some early details. Jonathan?
JONATHAN VIGLIOTTI: Scott, there are few details at this hour. What we do know is that there are reports of at least two loud bangs going off inside the Manchester arena, the largest arena in the city. Police are calling this as you described it a serious incident, video posted on social media shows people running to escape from the arena and a lot of commotion. Reports say a concert by pop star Arianna Grande just concluded when observers said they heard what they characterized as explosions. Police told people on social media to stay clear of the area. Police cars, ambulances and riot vans were seen outside the arena and the complex’s train station is now shut down. It is not known whether there are injuries at this point. One person who posted video on social media on Twitter said, quote, “everyone ran out. So scary” Again, very few details at this hour, Scott. We will keep watching this situation.
PELLEY: Jonathan Vigliotti for us. Thank you, Jonathan.
...
NBC Nightly News
May 22, 2017
7:20:44 PM EasternLESTER HOLT: We're back now with some breaking news in Manchester, England where police are responding to reports of what they are calling a serious incident with confirmed fatalities at the Manchester arena, where pop star Ariana Grande was holding a concert. Videos posted on social media show people panicked, running and screaming apparently after witnesses say they heard loud bangs, though it is unclear exactly what happened. Emergency services sent ambulances racing to the scene where again, police now say there are a number of confirmed fatalities and injuries.
