PBS outlet elevates historic ceremony to broader viewership across tristate region
THIRTEEN, New York’s public broadcasting station, will broadcast Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s January 1 inauguration ceremony live to audiences across the tristate region, marking the first mayoral inauguration to receive dedicated prime television coverage in recent municipal history. The decision to broadcast reflects recognition of the ceremony’s historical significance and Mamdani’s status as the city’s first Muslim mayor at age 34. Coverage begins at 12:30 p.m., extending through the public celebration featuring Bernie Sanders administering the oath. The broadcast includes analysis from political experts, historical context on prior NYC mayoral transitions, and audience commentary from viewers across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Production Details and Regional Significance
THIRTEEN producers are creating a 90-minute package covering pre-ceremony preparation, the official swearing-in at City Hall, and the seven-block Broadway celebration. Multiple camera angles capture both ceremonial proceedings and crowd energy throughout the day. Commercial interruption will be minimal to preserve narrative flow. The station views the broadcast as fulfilling its PBS mission to serve educational and civic engagement functions.
Streaming and Digital Access
THIRTEEN will stream the ceremony on thirteen.org and through the PBS app, enabling on-demand viewing for those unable to watch live broadcasts. Spanish-language narration accompanies English feeds to serve the city’s substantial Spanish-speaking population. For broadcast details, see THIRTEEN’s official coverage announcement, supplemented by PBS NewsHour analysis, WNET press materials, and Current magazine reporting on public media coverage.
