Obama Inauguration Nearing

This is an historic time for our country. Change is coming to Washington courtesy of our next President Barack Obama. It seems as though the election ended years ago and everyone including our current President seems to want to get on with the inauguration already. Unfortunately I will not be going. I do not have the resources (cash) or the connections to be able to pull of the trip to DC. I will instead watch it on television. I was going through my television’s guide last night and was amused by the coverage or lack thereof in some cases on the major networks and the 24 hour news networks.

(Update click here for Post-Inaugural Hangover)

CBS covers the inauguration from 10:00-1:00 AM with a short break for local news and then continues coverage from 1:30-5:00 PM. CBS does not devote any of its primetime lineup to the inaugural ball instead choosing to show NCIS, Challenge and the Mentalist

ABC has perhaps the most extensive coverage. It begins with coverage from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM and then continues with a two hour primetime special called The Neighborhood Ball: In Inauguration Celebration.

Fox is noticeably absent from the other major networks in covering the Inauguration. They show American Idol and Fringe. Fringe is a good show for those who are not aware of it. For those who are not aware of American Idol, alright unfortunately everyone is aware of that show. To be fair to Fox (and balanced) they do have coverage on Fox News beginning at 8:30 AM-3:00PM. They then have the inaugural ball from 9:00 PM-1:00 AM. The regular programming is scheduled for most of the day, but will likely include coverage and discussion of the day’s events. If you are not a big Obama fan and are looking for coverage that will reinforce this opinion this is probably your best best. I am somewhat surprised that they are not airing the Sean Hannity Special Obama and Friends which basically asserts that our next President is a Muslim extremist. Kudos to Fox maybe they are going to in fact try to be fair and balanced for one day.

NBC starts with coverage from 10:30 AM-4:00, but cuts coverage in order to air Oprah at 4:00. My guess is Oprah has some sort of special coverage planned regarding the inauguration as she is an unabashed supporter. I do not watch Oprah nor do I have any information on what she has planned so if that is the sort of thing that interests you feel free to tune in to find out. Oprah may be a syndicated show so in your area it may be ABC or some other network which cuts off some of its inaugural coverage to show Oprah instead. Like Fox NBC eschews primetime coverage of the inaugural ball instead choosing to show the Biggest Loser. I was outraged at first thinking this was a show hosted by Keith Olbermann where he made fun of John McCain and Sarah Palin for two hours, but it is actually just an episode of that silly reality weight loss show. Like Fox, NBC also has a 24 hour news network in MSNBC and they have a full days worth of coverage as well. NBC usually separates NBC from MSNBC for the most part. MSNBC is the polar opposite of Fox News for those who are not familiar.

CNN will also have around the clock coverage. Of the 24 hour news networks CNN is really the only one who tries to be somewhat balanced in spite of some of the other networks who openly brag about their balanced coverage.

CBS, ABC and NBC which all have morning shows and evening newscasts will cover the inauguration extensively as well. The local newscasts will also likely cover the inauguration so if you are like me and unable to go to DC for this historic inauguration there will be plenty of coverage around the clock from all the major networks and the 24 hour news networks.