'' Today '' , the designation " special edition " often applies to instances wherein one or both hosts anchor the program from a location other than Studio 1-A , or in the event of significant news developments . The edition also can start before the usual 7 am ET start time in all time zones or go past the usual endtime of 11 am ET . The expansion of an episode is not at all unusual , usually for planned long-duration news events such as presidential inaugurations or elections . The first such expanded edition came on January 20 , 1953 , with the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower . Breaking news can also extend the show 's hours : during the 7 July 2005 London bombings and Friday following the Boston Marathon bombing , '' Today '' remained on the air for six hours , from 7 am to 1 pm EDT
Boston Marathon bombing
Boston Marathon bombing
List of special editions of Today (American TV program)