Time Warner Inc. (TWX)’s CNN led cable news coverage of President Barack Obama’s second inauguration yesterday, with 3.14 million total viewers during the oath of office and speech.

Comcast Corp. (CMCSA)’s MSNBC followed with 2.27 million, Atlanta- based CNN said today in an e-mailed statement, citing Nielsen data. News Corp.’s Fox News Channel was third with an audience of 1.32 million.

CNN’s lead in morning coverage of Obama also carried into prime time, when Fox normally is most-watched. CNN’s audience from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. averaged 3.57 million viewers, compared with 1.67 million for Fox and 1.37 million for MSNBC.

Time Warner, based in New York, gained 0.8 percent to $50.33 at the close. News Corp. (NWSA), also in New York, fell 0.3 percent to $27.17 and Philadelphia-based Comcast declined 1.1 percent to $39.81.

To contact the reporter on this story: Andy Fixmer in Los Angeles at afixmer@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Anthony Palazzo at apalazzo@bloomberg.net