TV Networks Out in Force to Cover Inauguration

Television will be out in full force today to cover Bill Clinton’s second inauguration as president of the United States.

Most stations will begin their live coverage at 8 a.m. (PST) to catch some of the early musical program, followed by the formal ceremony at the Capitol, featuring Clinton and Vice President Al Gore taking their oath of office and the inaugural address by Clinton.

Among those on hand will be ABC, NBC, CNN, C-SPAN, MSNBC and Fox News Channel (whose coverage also will be seen locally on Fox-owned KTTV-TV Channel 11).

There also will be coverage of events both before and after the swearing-in.

For early-risers, CNN and C-SPAN will televise a prayer service that Clinton is attending in Washington at 5 a.m. And the networks’ 7 a.m. shows--NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “Good Morning America” and CBS’ “This Morning”--will originate from Washington to cover preparations and talk about what lies ahead in the president’s second term.

Some of the networks will drop out of the coverage at the conclusion of Clinton’s speech, but CNN, C-SPAN and MSNBC will stick around to beam pictures of the inaugural parade along Pennsylvania Avenue and of other activities and parties planned for the afternoon and evening.

CNN will offer a one-hour wrap-up of the day’s events at 7 p.m., and ABC’s “Nightline” plans to focus on the inauguration at 11:35 p.m.

The network evening newscasts also will be originating from Washington today.