Disney Prepares Year-long Celebration for Fourth of July Festivities

WHO:

The Hollywood Reporter - David Muir interviewed Brandi Carlile at the Statue of Liberty.

The Hollywood Reporter - Executive producer John R. Green stated, “It clicked as an opportunity to use this iconic symbol of America and freedom and hope as a backdrop to do something really spectacular.”

ABC News - David Muir is interviewing singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile at the Statue of Liberty.

The Hollywood Reporter - ABC News president Almin Karamehmedovic stated, “the longest commercial broadcast in history” will be a 24-hour marathon of programming.

The Hollywood Reporter - Executive producer John R. Green emphasized the broadcast aims to showcase “the power of those personal connections” from anchors and correspondents.

Bloomberg Markets - David Gura and Christina Ruffini are broadcasting from the Hudson River at the Intrepid Museum for the Navy Review and the tall ships parade, 'Sail4th 250'.

Bloomberg Markets - Lisa Mateo is at Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs in Coney Island for the annual 4th of July hot dog eating contest.

Bloomberg Markets - Jeff Mason is reporting from the White House on how 'Freedom 250' plans have been affected by the heat.

ABC News - David Muir is the host sharing a preview of the Fourth of July celebration.

Variety - Stephanie Ramos is an ABC News national correspondent involved in the coverage.

WHAT:

The Hollywood Reporter - The broadcast will include segments from all 50 states and more than 60 live remotes.

The Hollywood Reporter - The culminating event will feature Ryan Seacrest's July 4 special from Nashville, which will include a fireworks show and performances from artists like The All-American Rejects, Boyz II Men, NE-YO, Nick Jonas, Reba McEntire, Sublime, and Tim McGraw.

The Hollywood Reporter - The Statue of Liberty will be illuminated in red, white, and blue for the country’s 250th anniversary.

The Hollywood Reporter - The broadcast will include a performance of “America the Beautiful” by Brandi Carlile in front of the Statue of Liberty.

The Hollywood Reporter - The broadcast will include a “special message” from Walt Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro.

The Hollywood Reporter - The Nashville event will feature a fireworks show and performances from artists including The All-American Rejects, Boyz II Men, NE-YO, Nick Jonas, Reba McEntire, Sublime, and Tim McGraw.

Bloomberg Markets - The Navy Review and tall ships parade, 'Sail4th 250', is part of the celebrations for America's 250th anniversary.

CBS News - Americans are celebrating 250 years of independence with events including the largest fireworks display in history.

ABC News - Guests sailing Disney Cruise Line aboard the Disney Wonder began celebrating July 4th along the Alaskan coast.

The Hollywood Reporter - The broadcast is described as “the longest commercial broadcast in history,” lasting 24 hours.

The Hollywood Reporter - The Statue of Liberty will feature a light show produced in collaboration with the French government.

The Hollywood Reporter - The broadcast will include a simulcast of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest and a special SportsCenter segment.

ABC News - The celebration at the Statue of Liberty was produced by Monumental Tour and Auditoire with a performance by Michael Canitrot.

ABC News - ABC is marking America's 250th anniversary with a 24-hour programming event called "Disney Celebrates America."

The Hollywood Reporter - The broadcast will begin at 10 p.m. on July 3 and will culminate at 11 p.m. on July 4, featuring a performance of “America the Beautiful” by Brandi Carlile in front of the Statue of Liberty.

The Hollywood Reporter - The broadcast will include segments from all 50 states and more than 60 live remotes.

The Hollywood Reporter - The culminating event will feature Ryan Seacrest's July 4 special from Nashville, which will include performances from artists like The All-American Rejects, Boyz II Men, NE-YO, Nick Jonas, Reba McEntire, Sublime, and Tim McGraw.

ABC News - ABC is preparing a 24-hour celebration for the Fourth of July.

Variety - The Walt Disney Co. and ABC News are delivering extensive coverage that includes more than just fireworks.

WHERE:

Bloomberg Markets - The broadcast is taking place across New York City, including locations like the Hudson River and Coney Island.

ABC News - The celebration includes a segment featuring the Statue of Liberty's torch.

WHEN:

Variety - The special telecast of "Good Morning America" is scheduled for a Saturday during the Fourth of July weekend.

WHY:

Variety - Many TV companies are dedicating their programming to celebrate the Fourth of July.

HOW:

The Hollywood Reporter - ABC News and Disney are collaborating with Nat Geo to showcase the seven natural wonders of America, including segments featuring David Muir at the Grand Canyon and Michael Strahan at Niagara Falls.

The Hollywood Reporter - ABC News and Disney are planning to showcase segments from all 50 states and many overseas territories during the broadcast, with nearly every ABC News anchor and correspondent contributing.

The Hollywood Reporter - Disney World and Disneyland are planning special events like military flyovers and patriotic parades, with fireworks at Disneyland during the Nashville broadcast.

Bloomberg Markets - The team is broadcasting live from multiple locations to cover various events related to the Fourth of July celebrations.

The Hollywood Reporter - ABC News and Disney are planning to showcase segments from all 50 states and many overseas territories during the broadcast.

Variety - Disney spent more than a year devising the coverage for the Fourth of July festivities.

(UPDATED July 5, 2026 01:27 UTC)

In a spectacular collaboration, ABC News and Disney are teaming up with Nat Geo to highlight the seven natural wonders of America, featuring segments with David Muir at the Grand Canyon and Michael Strahan at Niagara Falls. The broadcast will showcase segments from all 50 states and over 60 live remotes, culminating in Ryan Seacrest's July 4 special from Nashville, which promises a dazzling fireworks show and performances from artists like The All-American Rejects, Boyz II Men, NE-YO, Nick Jonas, Reba McEntire, Sublime, and Tim McGraw. David Muir also interviewed Brandi Carlile at the Statue of Liberty, with executive producer John R. Green noting that it was a perfect opportunity to use this iconic symbol of America as a backdrop for something truly spectacular.

(UPDATED July 4, 2026 21:14 UTC)

Brandi Carlile will perform "America the Beautiful" in front of the Statue of Liberty, which will be illuminated in red, white, and blue to celebrate the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary. ABC News and Disney are collaborating on a special broadcast that will feature segments from all 50 states and various overseas territories, with contributions from nearly every ABC News anchor and correspondent. Executive producer John R. Green expressed that this event is a unique opportunity to use the iconic symbol of America as a backdrop for something truly spectacular.

(UPDATED July 4, 2026 19:18 UTC)

ABC News president Almin Karamehmedovic announced that a 24-hour marathon of programming will mark “the longest commercial broadcast in history,” featuring a special message from Walt Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro. The Nashville event will include a spectacular fireworks show and performances from artists like The All-American Rejects, Boyz II Men, NE-YO, Nick Jonas, Reba McEntire, Sublime, and Tim McGraw. Additionally, ABC News and Disney are teaming up with Nat Geo to highlight the seven natural wonders of America, with segments featuring David Muir at the Grand Canyon and Michael Strahan at Niagara Falls, while Disneyland will host fireworks during the Nashville broadcast.

(UPDATED July 4, 2026 13:20 UTC)

Bloomberg Markets is broadcasting live from various locations across New York City to cover the Fourth of July celebrations, including the Navy Review and tall ships parade, 'Sail4th 250', at the Hudson River and the annual hot dog eating contest at Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs in Coney Island. David Gura and Christina Ruffini are at the Intrepid Museum for the parade, while Lisa Mateo is at Coney Island, and Jeff Mason is reporting from the White House on how the heat is impacting the 'Freedom 250' plans. These events are part of the festivities celebrating America's 250th anniversary.

(UPDATED July 4, 2026 11:20 UTC)

Americans are marking a monumental milestone as they celebrate 250 years of independence, featuring the largest fireworks display in history. Meanwhile, guests aboard the Disney Wonder are enjoying their own festivities, sailing along the stunning Alaskan coast. These celebrations highlight the spirit of freedom and joy that defines this special day.

(UPDATED July 4, 2026 07:49 UTC)

A groundbreaking 24-hour broadcast is set to take place, marking it as the longest commercial broadcast in history. The celebration will feature a stunning light show at the Statue of Liberty, produced in collaboration with the French government, along with a simulcast of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest and a special SportsCenter segment. ABC News and Disney are also planning to showcase segments from all 50 states and various overseas territories during this monumental event.

(UPDATED July 4, 2026 06:10 UTC)

ABC is celebrating America's 250th anniversary with a special 24-hour programming event called "Disney Celebrates America," which kicks off at 10 p.m. on July 3 and wraps up with a performance of “America the Beautiful” by Brandi Carlile in front of the Statue of Liberty at 11 p.m. on July 4. The broadcast will feature segments from all 50 states, more than 60 live remotes, and a July 4 special hosted by Ryan Seacrest from Nashville, showcasing performances from artists like The All-American Rejects, Boyz II Men, and Tim McGraw. Additionally, ABC News and Disney are teaming up with Nat Geo to highlight the seven natural wonders of America, with segments featuring David Muir at the Grand Canyon and Michael Strahan at Niagara Falls.

(UPDATED July 4, 2026 04:11 UTC)

ABC is gearing up for a spectacular 24-hour celebration of the Fourth of July, featuring extensive coverage that goes beyond just fireworks. David Muir will host the special telecast of "Good Morning America," which is set to air on a Saturday during the holiday weekend, while national correspondent Stephanie Ramos will also contribute to the coverage, including a segment highlighting the Statue of Liberty's torch. The Walt Disney Company has dedicated over a year to planning this event, as many TV networks join in to honor the spirit of Independence Day.