Macy's Parade Draws Record 34.3 Million Viewers

The 99th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade drew a record-breaking audience of 34.3 million viewers across NBC and its Peacock streaming service on Thursday, surpassing last year's total by 8 percent and marking the event's largest combined viewership to date.

The parade, a longstanding holiday tradition in New York City, began at 8:30 a.m. ET from the Upper West Side and proceeded along a 2.5-mile route to Macy's Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street. Hosted by Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker of NBC's "Today" show, the broadcast also aired on Telemundo with hosts Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz and Clovis Nienow, and featured an encore presentation on NBC at 2 p.m. ET. Preliminary Nielsen data showed the initial NBC airing averaging 25.4 million viewers, the most-watched entertainment program on linear television in nearly seven years, since ABC's 2019 Academy Awards broadcast. Viewership in the key 18-49 demographic rose 13 percent from 2024, while audiences under 25 increased by 20 percent, reflecting broad appeal across age groups.

Organized by Macy's with the support of over 5,000 volunteers, the parade showcased 32 giant balloons, three smaller balloonicles, 27...