Can't watch fireworks at home? Millions choose NBC
More than 8 million television viewers took in NBC's coverage of the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks on Sunday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.More than 8 million people took in Fourth of July fireworks on television this year, watching NBC s coverage of the Macy s New York City celebration in one of two helpings.
The two-hour fireworks presentation drew 4.9 million viewers to NBC at 8 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, and 3.3 million watched a condensed version of the same show shortly after it ended.
Traditionally, the week encompassing Independence Day is one of the least-watched television weeks of the year. The only other program to reach more than 7 million viewers in prime time was NBC's summer favorite, “America's Got Talent.”
NBC won the week with an average of 2.9 million viewers in prime time. CBS was second with 2.6 million, ABC had 2.3 million, Fox had 1.6 million, Univision had 1.4 million, Ion Television had 1.1 million and Telemundo had 1 million.
TNT riding three games of the NBA Conference Finals, led the cable networks with an average of 2.141 million in prime time. Fox News Channel had 2.139 million, ESPN had 1.58 million, MSNBC had 1.36 million and HGTV had 1.09 million.
ABC's “World News Tonight” led the evening news ratings race, averaging 7.5 million viewers. NBC's “Nightly News” had 6.4 million and the “CBS Evening News” had 4.8 million.
For the week of June 28-July 4, the most popular prime time programs, their networks and viewerships:
1. “America's Got Talent," NBC, 7.08 million.
2. NBA Conference Finals: Phoenix at L.A. Clippers (Wednesday), ESPN, 5.86 million.
3. NBA Conference Finals: L.A. Clippers at Phoenix (Monday), ESPN, 5.75 million.
4. NBA Conference Finals: Atlanta at Milwaukee (Saturday), TNT, 5.24 million.
5. “Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks,” NBC, 4.9 million.
6. NBA Conference Finals: Milwaukee at Atlanta (Thursday), TNT, 4.84 million.
7. “60 Minutes,” CBS, 4.66 million.
8. NBA Conference Finals: Atlanta at Milwaukee (Tuesday), TNT, 4.63 million.
9. “NCIS,” CBS, 3.72 million.
10. “The Neighborhood,” CBS, 3.64 million.
11. “Young Sheldon,” CBS, 3.59 million.
12. “Hannity” (Wednesday), Fox News, 3.54 million.
13. “The $100,000 Pyramid,” ABC, 3.49 million.
14. “FBI: Most Wanted,” CBS, 3.37 million.
15. “The Bachelorette,” ABC, 3.32 million.
16. “The Price is Right,” CBS, 3.29 million.
17. “FBI,” CBS, 3.27 million.
18. “Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks” (Sunday, 10 p.m.), 3.252 million.
19. “American Ninja Warrior,” NBC, 3.25 million.
20. “Bob Hearts Abishola,” CBS, 3.21 million.