ABC and NBC Lead Non-Primetime TV Events

Broadcast television continues to find massive audiences outside of standard primetime slots. Two of the year's biggest events occurred in early morning and late morning timeframes, effectively bookending the calendar year with high viewership.

ABC's coverage of Dick Clark's New Years Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest opened 2025 with record-breaking numbers. Later in the year, NBC secured a significant win with the 99th annual broadcast of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. These successes underscore the enduring power of live, event-based programming on broadcast networks.

ABC began the year with a dominant performance in the non-primetime space. The network's broadcast of Dick Clark's New Years Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest drew record viewership numbers to ring in 2025.

This annual tradition serves as a major launchpad for the network's year. The event's success highlights the continued appeal of live musical performances and countdown specials, even when scheduled late at night leading into the early morning hours of January 1st.

Following the holiday season, NBC captured a large audience with its coverage of the 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The network scored another big win with this longstanding tradition.

The parade broadcast represents a key programming highlight for the network during the holiday week. As one of the most recognizable annual events in the United States, the parade continues to draw viewership that rivals or exceeds standard primetime entertainment programming.

The success of these two specific broadcasts illustrates a broader trend in television viewing. ABC and NBC have successfully leveraged major holidays to secure large audiences.

These events effectively bookend the year, providing a framework for holiday programming that audiences return to annually. The consistent performance of these specials suggests that live, culturally significant events remain a cornerstone of broadcast television strategy.

As 2025 concludes, the broadcast landscape is defined by these anchor events. ABC's New Year's Eve coverage and NBC's Thanksgiving Day Parade demonstrate that specific time slots outside of primetime can generate massive engagement.

Looking ahead, networks will likely continue to invest in these annual traditions. The data from 2025 confirms that holiday specials remain a vital component of the broadcast television ecosystem, driving viewership and cultural relevance.