BET and TV One Make Plans for Inauguration

NEW YORK – BET and TV One, the television networks aimed primarily at a black audience, haven’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 nation’s 44th president. Network executives said the installation of the first black president will be as much a celebration as a story.”This is an opportunity to be the best we can be, “said Stephen Hill, BET’s programming chief. “We 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’ “CSI: NY, “former CBS “The Early Show “host Rene Syler, and Jeff Johnson, who hosts a weekly BET news program.