ABC's marathon coverage of America's 250th anniversary drew the largest audiences over the July 4th weekend, topping its broadcast and cable rivals in primetime and other dayparts. The network's 24-hour "Disney Celebrates America" block — spanning its news and entertainment units alongside ESPN and National Geographic — delivered ABC its highest July 4th viewership in 26 years, underlining the commercial pull of the milestone anniversary for the major US networks.

In Saturday primetime, ABC's Ryan Seacrest-hosted "Nashville's Star-Spangled Bash" drew 5.44 million viewers, ahead of NBC's Macy's fireworks (4.94 million) and Fox News' offering (3.47 million), with CBS, CNN and MS NOW trailing. ABC's audience peaked at 6.17 million during a fireworks show, and its hot dog eating contest and other segments also rated strongly. Separately, Fox News led cable in carrying a late-night speech by Donald Trump on the National Mall — delayed about 90 minutes by severe weather — peaking at 5.7 million viewers, well ahead of CNN and MS NOW; the broadcast networks did not carry the address.