Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Breaks NBC & Peacock's All-Time Viewership Record

This year, the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade achieved unprecedented audience numbers on NBC and Peacock, attracting 34.3 million viewersthe largest combined audience ever recorded, according to preliminary Nielsen data. The event surpassed last years parade by 8%, or 2.5 million viewers.

The original broadcast at 8:30 a.m. ET on NBC drew 25.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched entertainment telecast in nearly seven years, second only to ABCs 2019 Academy Awards coverage.

Among adults aged 18-49, the parades initial broadcast marked the highest-rated entertainment telecast in five years, surpassing NBCs 2020 Thanksgiving Day Parade. Ratings in this key demographic rose 13% from the previous year, while all age groups saw gains, with viewers under 25 increasing by 20%.

These record-breaking numbers show how cherished this parade is by our audience, and we couldnt be happier to kick off the holiday season on such a high note, said Jen Neal, EVP of Live Events and Specials at NBCUniversal Entertainment. A huge thank you to Macys for helping bring this iconic event to life.

Sharon Otterman, Chief Marketing Officer at Macys, added, The record ratings this year highlight the creativity, technical skill, and storytelling ambition that Macys delivers. We are proud to produce entertainment featuring top talent that resonates culturally and engages audiences. As we approach the 100th Macys Parade, we remain committed to inspiring wonder and joy nationwide and raising the standard for televised and streaming programming.

Elsewhere in programming, The National Dog Show Presented by Purina drew 12.8 million viewers, up 4% from last year across all formats. Post-football late-night shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers, also achieved their highest viewership since airing after the NFL kickoff game on September 4.

Author: Sophia Brooks