America’s course changes today on Inauguration Day (CNN, CSPAN, BBC World News, 7 a.m.; ABC, CBS, MSNBC, 9 a.m.; NBC, 10 p.m.; PBS, 10:30 a.m.; Fox News, 11 a.m.). Coverage begins early with two starkly different events: the 45th president flying off with as much of a military salute as he can muster, during the same hour Joe Biden and his family go to church. The inauguration ceremony itself is set for noon, with a bigger TV audience expected because nobody can really attend live. Lady Gaga sings the National Anthem, young poet Amanda Gorman will recite a new composition and there will be performances from Jennifer Lopez and Garth Brooks.
The parade will be virtual, and in lieu of the usual ceremonial balls is the primetime “Celebrating America” (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, 8:30 p.m.). Hosted by Tom Hanks, it features performances by Bruce Springsteen, Demi Lovato, John Legend, Foo Fighters, Jon Bon Jovi, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tim McGraw, Tyler Hubbard, Justin Timberlake and Ant Clemons — each performing at iconic locations across America. Also featured are Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington. It also livestreams on YouTube, Facebook and Amazon Prime.
A new season starts for “Riverdale” (CW, 8 p.m.), with Betty and Jughead looking for clues. And “Nancy Drew” (CW, 9 p.m.) is back as well.
The new series “Spycraft” (Netflix, streaming) looks at some favorite spy gadgets of the past.
The fourth season of the British import “C.B. Strike” (HBO, 9 p.m.) makes its premiere on a new network (formerly it was on Cinemax). The crime drama based on the detective novels by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, stars Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger.