NEW YORK – BET and TV One, the television networks aimed primarily at a black audience, havenâ„¢t paid much attention to presidential inaugurations before. This time will be different. Both are planning extensive coverage for Jan. 20, when Barack Obama is sworn in as the nationâ„¢s 44th president.
Network executives said the installation of the first black president will be as much a celebration as a story.ŔThis is an opportunity to be the best we can be, said Stephen Hill, BET™s programming chief. ŔWe see this as an opportunity to inform and inspire our audience. BET will cover the swearing-in and parade from four locations, including ground and rooftop sites on Pennsylvania Avenue. Anchoring the coverage will be Hill Harper of CBS™ ŔCSI: NY, former CBS ŔThe Early Show host Rene Syler, and Jeff Johnson, who hosts a weekly BET news program.
