• Broadcast television is seeing significant success with major special events scheduled outside of traditional primetime hours.
  • These events effectively bookend the year, with ABC's 'Dick Clark's New Years Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest' kicking off 2025 with record numbers.
  • Later in the year, NBC secured a major victory with the broadcast of the 99th 'Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.' These non-primetime specials demonstrate that key programming slots remain highly valuable for networks despite changing viewing habits.
  • The success of these specific events highlights the continued cultural relevance of annual holiday broadcasts on major networks.

Quick Summary

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.

New Year's Success 🎉

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.

Thanksgiving Parade Ratings 🦃

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 Power of Event TV 📺

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.

Conclusion

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the biggest non-primetime TV events?

According to the report, ABC's 'Dick Clark's New Years Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest' and NBC's 'Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade' are two of broadcast TV's biggest events outside of primetime.

Which networks had success with holiday specials in 2025?

ABC saw record numbers with its New Year's Eve special, while NBC secured a major win with its Thanksgiving Day Parade coverage.