Live Inauguration Coverage Takes Over All Networks

Today, the inauguration of Barack Obama overshadows all else, in the country, the world, and on networks. Live inauguration coverage has already started, on every major network in regular and cable TV. Even after the inauguration itself, live inauguration coverage continues on all the networks, well into the night on some occasions.

NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX News, CNBC, CSPAN, MSNBC, TV ONE, BET and PBS are among the stations with live inauguration coverage of Obama's swearing in. But after Obama takes the oath at noon today, some networks will continue inauguration coverage the rest of the afternoon, with others going on all day.

ABC will continue live inauguration coverage until 5 p.m. Eastern, which means fans of soap operas and Oprah will have to go on without them for one day. CBS will cover the inauguration until 4 p.m., along with NBC.

Live inauguration coverage will also be on the Internet, as some news sites will have streaming video. Facebook will partner with CNN's website for coverage, while many people in the crowd today will probably "Twitter" the event for their web sites.

Since the inauguration parade occurs after the swearing in, the major networks can justify staying with live inauguration coverage well into the afternoon. But eventually, they will go back to regular programming. Since the cable channels have no such limits, they can go on the full 24 hours on inauguration day.

Channels like CNN, MSNBC and FOX will have live inauguration coverage during the day, then cover it some more with their regular cable pundit shows at night.

But at night, there is one more live celebration to have, which is the inaugural ball. While most of the major networks will get back to their normal programming by then, ABC will have live coverage of the inaugural ball from 8 to 10 p.m. After that, ABC will have another hour long special before closing up shop for inauguration day.

ABC may be the only network brave enough to pit live inaugural coverage at night against American Idol. Will Barack and Michelle, or Simon and "Bikini Girl" draw in bigger numbers from 8 to 9 p.m?

The Disney Channel will also have a live inauguration concert from 8 to 9:30, with performances from the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus.


Source: associatedcontent.com