Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Sets New Viewership Record for NBC and Peacock
The 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade shattered all previous records, attracting a massive 34.3 million viewers across NBC and Peacock. This marks an 8% increase in viewership compared to last year's parade, with 2.5 million more people tuning in. The parade's initial airing at 8:30 a.m. ET on NBC became the most-watched entertainment telecast in nearly seven years, second only to ABC's broadcast of the 2019 Academy Awards.
Among the 18-49 demographic, the parade's initial airing was the highest-rated entertainment telecast in five years since NBC's 2020 Thanksgiving Day Parade. This key demo saw a 13% increase from last year's event. Interestingly, all age groups experienced viewership growth, with younger viewers under 25 showing a significant 20% increase.
The success of the parade is a testament to its enduring appeal and the hard work of Macy's and NBCUniversal Entertainment. Jen Neal, EVP of Live Events and Specials at NBCUniversal Entertainment, expressed her excitement, stating, 'These record-breaking numbers signify how beloved this parade is to our audience.' She also praised Macy's for their partnership in creating an iconic event.
Sharon Otterman, chief marketing officer at Macy's, added, 'This year's record-breaking ratings are a powerful testament to our creative mastery, technical precision, and storytelling ambition.' She emphasized Macy's commitment to delivering exceptional entertainment that showcases top talent and captures the cultural zeitgeist, connecting with audiences and redefining the benchmark for televised and streaming programming.
Beyond the parade, other NBC programming also performed well. The National Dog Show Presented by Purina drew 12.8 million viewers, a 4% increase from the previous year. Additionally, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers achieved their highest viewership since airing after the NFL's kickoff game on September 4.
