UPDATE 01/19/2020: In an update to our original story, ABC News has announced its Wednesday, January 20 Inauguration Day coverage plans with “The Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Kamala D. Harris” airing from 10:25 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET on the network, displacing the originally scheduled all-new episode of “GMA3: What You Need to Know” and a rerun of “General Hospital.” Preceding the network’s coverage, an additional hour of “Good Morning America” will break into local programming starting at 9:00 a.m. ET. The network says viewers will now have ample opportunity to witness the swearing-in ceremony, a visit to Arlington Cemetery, the inaugural military and virtual parade, and Biden’s inaugural address.
ABC’s announcement follows previously announced plans by its broadcast competition in formalizing their inauguration coverage. CBS News will air “The Presidential Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr.” from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. NBC News will air “The Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr.” from 10:00 a.m. ET to 4:00 p.m. ET.
What follows is an updated breakdown of which shows will be preempted nationally in place of Inauguration Day coverage on ABC, CBS and NBC.
Note: “3rd Hour Today” remains scheduled to air during its regularly scheduled time slot.
Preempted Nationally
- “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
- “Days of our Lives” (NBC)
- “General Hospital” (ABC)
- “GMA3: What You Need to Know” (ABC)
- “Let’s Make a Deal” (CBS)
- “The Price is Right” (CBS)
- “The Talk” (CBS)
- “The View” (ABC)
- “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
- “Today with Hoda & Jenna” (NBC)
PREVIOUS 01/16/2020: On Wednesday, January 20, the inauguration of President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris will take place and will be carried nationally by ABC, CBS, NBC and a host of cable networks throughout the morning and mid-afternoon. As such, all daytime soaps, talk shows and game shows will be preempted, or in rare instances airing an all-new episode or a rerun.
Previously, the soaps in particular were planning to air originals. Things changed, however, when on Wednesday, January 6 an insurrection at the United States Capitol took place, leaving daytime broadcast programs to be preempted all or in part so that the television networks could bring viewers comprehensive coverage of the events preceding and following the insurrection as things culminated during the counting of the Electoral College votes that determine who will become the next president of the United States.
At press time, ABC has yet to formally announce its full Inauguration Day coverage plans by the folks at ABC News as the network is currently scheduled to air an all-new episode of “GMA3: What You Need to Know” and a rerun of “General Hospital.” “The View” will be preempted nationally for the as yet to be formally announced inauguration coverage. The scheduled rerun of “GH” is episode #14633, which originally aired on Friday, December 18, 2020. The episode culminated in the final matchup between Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Julian Jerome (William deVry).
CBS News will air “The Presidential Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr.” from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. NBC News will air “The Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr.” from 10:00 a.m. ET to 4:00 p.m. ET.
What follows is a breakdown of which shows will be preempted fully, airing all-new episodes or showcasing pinnacle moments from a recently aired episode.
All-New Episode Scheduled
(subject to change)- “GMA3: What You Need to Know” (ABC)
- “3rd Hour Today” (NBC)
Preempted Nationally
- “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
- “Days of our Lives” (NBC)
- “Let’s Make a Deal” (CBS)
- “The Price is Right” (CBS)
- “The Talk” (CBS)
- “The View” (ABC)
- “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
- “Today with Hoda & Jenna” (NBC)
Rerun Scheduled
- “General Hospital” (ABC)
Soap Opera Network will continue following the latest world news and events should any new developments further impact the scheduling of the daytime soaps, game shows and talk shows.