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NBC July 4 Fireworks Special Draws 11.2 Million Viewers
NBC's annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks special reached 11.2 million viewers across platforms, a 59 percent increase from the prior year. Fox News recorded its highest Independence Day viewership on record with 3.3 million in primetime.
The Hollywood ReporterAudio version
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NBC's Macy's 4th of July Fireworks special drew 11.2 million viewers across NBC, Telemundo, Peacock and replays, according to preliminary Nielsen numbers. The total marked a 59 percent increase from the previous year and the highest audience for the program since 2018.
m. ET attracted 5.1 million viewers, up 42 percent from 3.6 million in 2025 and the largest since 2019. Peacock users more than doubled their viewing time compared with the prior year.
News averaged 3.3 million viewers in primetime and 2.2 million for the full day, both above its typical Saturday levels. The channel's coverage focused on the semiquincentennial marking 250 years since the nation's founding. m. ET. CNN averaged 1.2 million viewers in primetime, while MS NOW recorded 317,000.
"With our partners at Macy's, we are proud to have brought viewers around the country together for a night that honored this historic milestone through unforgettable music, inspiring moments and one of the country's most iconic fireworks traditions," said Jen Neal, executive vp live events and specials for NBC and Peacock.
Final ratings for July 4 programming on all networks will be released later in the week.
