2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brings in record viewership
The 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brought in record viewership for the NBC network’s annual telecast.
The parade was seen by 28.5 million viewers and earned a rating of 7.2 in the 18-49 age demographic, which is up six percent from the 2022 parade, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
It was the highest rated entertainment program of the year, the outlet said.
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The parade this year included decorations, balloons and characters from Kung Fu Panda, Stuart the Minion and Uncle Dan. NBC Universal’s streaming service, Peacock, had a mascot that made its way down the parade path on a float.
The company said thousands of volunteers bring the parade to life each year.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that a record number of people were able to enjoy the parade with their families and friends, and spend the day with us,” Jen Neal, the executive vice president of Live Events and Specials at NBC, told the Reporter.
“We take great pride in bringing the best holiday programming to our audience – across both NBC and Peacock — and there’s no better way to bring in the season than with balloons, marching bands, musical performances and a tradition like no other,” Neal told the outlet.
This year’s parade was briefly interrupted after more than two dozen pro-Palestinian protestors reportedly jumped over the barricades, ran into the streets and glued themselves to the parade route amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and militant group Hamas.
About 30 protestors wearing white jumpsuits sprayed with fake blood began their protest about 90 minutes after the parade began. They were arrested and taken into custody for refusing to leave the area.
Spectators started to jeer the protestors once they realized what was happening. Other parade disturbances were reported along the route.
In 2014, police arrested seven people protesting the court’s decision to indict a police officer in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Missouri.
The 2023 parade marked the 97th time the parade has marched down streets in New York City on Thanksgiving. The parade began in 1924 and has been televised on NBC since 1953.
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