How to stream the 47th presidential inauguration live

The US Capitol building. Image source: Visit the Capitol government website

Last-minute changes to the location of the 47th presidential inauguration ceremony may have foiled plans by the public to watch the event in person, but here’s how to catch the whole event as it’s broadcast and streamed live.

Because of an unusually cold weather forecast for Monday, January 20th, the swearing-in ceremony of US President-Elect Donald Trump has been changed from the traditionally outdoor event at the US Capitol to inside the building. “There is an Arctic blast sweeping the country,” Trump said in a statement about moving the event, “I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured in any way.”

The inauguration ceremony will take place in the United States Capitol Rotunda at 12:00 pm Eastern, and all major US networks will be carrying the event live.

How to watch online

USA Today, ABC, CNN, NBC and MSNBC, and Fox News have all announced their broadcast schedule for the ceremony and some associated events around the inauguration. Coverage will be available to view online through iPhone and iPad apps, websites accessible on Macs, and via news apps available on most smart TVs, as well as the Apple TV hardware.

The amount of time devoted to the various events surrounding the inauguration will vary by network. USA Today, for instance will offer live coverage throughout the day on its YouTube channel and website.

CNNwill begin coverage at midnight EST on January 20th, and continue covering related events up to or past 10pm EST. The coverage will stream live on CNN, CNN-connected TV and mobile apps, CNN.com, and on Max (formerly HBO Max) for subscribers.

ABC will begin coverage starting with its “Good Morning America” show at 7am EST, followed by news coverage starting at 9am EST on its ABC News Live website and app.

CBS News as not announced its inauguration coverage schedule at time of writing, but will likely give the event all-day coverage on its network, website, and app.NBC will make its online coverage and a live blog available starting at 7am EST via its NBC News app and across its streaming platforms — which include NBCNews.com, Peacock, its Roku channel and Samsung TV Plus channel, and YouTube.

Fox News will begin broadcast coverage of the events at 4am EST, with the formal live inauguration event airing between 11:30 and 5pm EST on its website and app. It will also cover related events, including the Inaugural Ball, into the evening.

PBSwill cover Inauguration Day starting at 8am EST, with special coverage beginning at 10:30am EST on its network, website, and via its channel on YouTube. Due to its lack of advertising breaks, PBS is due to offer the most uninterrupted coverage of the events.

Swearing-in and more events

In addition to the swearing-in ceremony, there will be live performances and social events associated with the inauguration. Country singers Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood are among the scheduled entertainers who will perform.

In addition to the swearing-in of the President-elect, there will also be the vice-presidential swearing-in ceremony; the inaugural address by President Trump; the signing ceremony for nominations, memorandums, proclamations and executive orders; an inaugural luncheon, and an evening Inaugural Ball.

The traditional outdoor procession to the Capitol ahead of the inauguration, as well as the “pass in review” where the new president and vice president review military troops before leading the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House will likely be skipped, however, due to the cold weather.

Instead, President Trump plans to host a modified version of the traditional Inaugural Parade inside Washington’s Capital One Arena, which holds about 20,000 people. This is a small number compared to the 250,000 visitors who originally expected to watch the ceremony and parade outdoors.

Making presidential history

This will mark Trump’s second term as president, having lost the 2020 election to Democratic candidate Joe Biden. The fact that he was not re-elected until 2024 gives him the rare distinction of being both the 45th and 47th President of the United States, once he is again sworn into office.

The only other similar turn of events in US history was when Democrat Grover Cleveland won his first term in 1885, but lost in 1888 to Republican candidate Benjamin Harrison. Cleveland ran again in 1892 and won a second term, making him both the 22nd and 24th US president.

Apple CEO Tim Cook donated $1 million of his own money to the inaugural fund, and plans to attend the inaugural ceremony, though he was also a frequent White House visitor during the Biden administration. Other technology CEOs and companies have also donated to the fund, hoping to gain favor with the incoming administration.