Tom Hanks is set to host a primetime TV special celebrating the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and featuring performances from Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato, Jon Bon Jovi, and Ant Clemons.
The special, titled “Celebrating America”, will run for 90 minutes and will be broadcast live on ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and MSNBC from 8:30–10:00 PM ET/PT on 20 January.
Viewers can also stream the special live on YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Twitter, Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Bing, NewsNOW from Fox, and AT&T DirectTV and U-verse.
The special will be produced by Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner, the same team that helmed the virtual Democratic National Convention. Weiss will also be directing the special.
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris' swearing-in will take place on Wednesday, 20 January at 12:00 PM ET on the Capitol steps. For safety reasons, Washington, DC mayor Muriel Bowser has encouraged people not to travel to the nation's capitol and instead watch the inauguration virtually.
Read More: Where can I watch Joe Biden’s inauguration?
“This inauguration presents a unique opportunity to spotlight the resilience and spirit of an America United,” said the Presidential Inaugural Committee’s CEO Tony Allen in a statement. "We have witnessed countless heroes this past year step-up to the frontlines and serve their fellow Americans, so we are telling their stories, spreading their collective light, and celebrating the best of our country and its people with this primetime program.
“Our first priority is safety – so while many of us will be watching safely from our homes, we are creating real moments of connection that highlight a new inclusive American era of leadership that works for and represents all Americans,” continued Allen.
Additionally, the Biden team has organised a series of virtual events leading up to the inauguration. A fundraiser called "Conversations with Actors from The West Wing, Scandal, and Designated Survivor” is scheduled for 15 January and will bring together actors such as Scandal's Bellamy Young and The West Wing's Bradley Whitford, Richard Schiff, Dulé Hill, and Janel Moloney in a conversation to be moderated by Designated Survivor actor (and Obama administration alum) Kal Penn.
