The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks live special that aired on NBC and Peacock garnered a viewership of 7.6 million across all platforms. This made it the most-watched July 4th special since 2021, according to NBC. The show, which was simulcast on Peacock since 2022, featured musical performances by various artists and was hosted by Mickey Guyton and Zuri Hall. Despite being up 2% in viewership from the previous year, the telecast was met with criticism from viewers for various reasons.
After the telecast, there was a surge of complaints from viewers regarding the delayed start of the program and the focus on performances rather than the fireworks themselves. Many viewers expressed disappointment with the coverage, stating that there was too much emphasis on musical acts and not enough on the actual fireworks display. Some criticized NBC for missing the grand finale of the fireworks show and rolling credits over a replay of the finale, causing frustration among viewers.
One notable change in the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks this year was the move to the west side of Manhattan, launching from barges along the Hudson River. This marked a shift from the previous nine years when the fireworks were launched from the East River. The display featured an impressive showcase of over 60,000 shells that reached heights of more than 1,000 feet into the sky.
While the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks special saw an increase in viewership this year and featured a captivating display of fireworks, it was marred by viewer complaints regarding the coverage and focus of the telecast. Despite the efforts to showcase a variety of musical performances, many viewers felt that the emphasis should have been on the fireworks themselves. Moving forward, organizers may need to reconsider the format of the show to strike a balance between entertainment and the main attraction, the fireworks display.