NBC announced three specials for the 2026-27 broadcast season during its upfront presentation Monday in New York City.
The network will celebrate its epic 100th anniversary on December 10 with a live three-hour variety special from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. NBC said it will mark the “once-in-a-lifetime anniversary with a telecast that will honor a century of must-see television, groundbreaking moments and iconic stars.” Details TBA.
The 100th edition of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade also returns to the streets of New York on Nov. 26, coming off its 2025 edition where it delivered its biggest audience ever.
NBC will kick off the television season with the 78th Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 14 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Also fan-favorite specials returning include The National Dog Show Presented by Purina, Christmas in Rockefeller Center and animated classics such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
NBC is expanding on its Emmy-nominated event series The Americas to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. The Americas: A Wild 250th special will showcase iconic American species whose deep connection to the land and the nation’s history have left an indelible mark on the country. From the majestic bald eagle to fearless bison and clever sea lions, each animal reflects a brave American spirit worth honoring, per NBC.
NBC will also air The Americas: Mother’s Day in 2027. According to the network’s description, in the special, the wildest moms on Earth prove that love, resilience and a little ingenuity can conquer just about anything. Set against the nation’s sweeping landscapes, the special reveals how animal motherhood is shaped by the environments they inhabit and the legacy of the land itself. Both heartfelt and illuminating, it offers a fresh perspective on familiar stories, reminding us that raising the next generation is the greatest adventure of all.
The Americas: A Wild 250th and The Americas: Mother’s Day are executive produced by Emmy and BAFTA-winning wildlife producer Mike Gunton (Life, Planet Earth II, Dynasties) and Holly Spearing for BBC Studios Natural History Unit, in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group.
English (US) ·