Picture this: a jaw-dropping display of American military might rolling through Washington, D.C., yet the biggest TV networks might just shrug and keep their game shows on air.
The upcoming military parade on June 14, meant to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, is stirring up quite the debate over whether it deserves prime-time attention. According to Variety, major broadcasters like ABC, NBC, and CBS are opting out of disrupting their regular schedules for this spectacle.
This isn’t just any parade—it’s a showcase of helicopters, Bradley vehicles, a parachute jump by the Golden Knights, and a fireworks extravaganza. Yet, the reluctance of mainstream outlets to give it full coverage hints at deeper unease about its tone and purpose. Some see it as a rare patriotic display; others, a troubling echo of authoritarian pageantry.
ABC News plans to cover the event across various platforms, including their streaming channel ABC News Live, starting at 6 p.m. ET on June 14, but don’t expect to see it preempting their prized UFL championship game. It’s a safe bet—why risk losing sports fans for tanks when streaming can quietly handle the heavy lifting?
NBC News, similarly, will offer special coverage on their streaming service NBC News Now, with anchors Aaron Gilchrist and Kelly O’Donnell at the helm. CBS News will have Major Garrett anchoring on their 24/7 streaming network, but their evening lineup of local news and repeats like “Elsbeth” remains untouched. It’s almost as if they’re saying, “We’ll cover it, but don’t ask us to rearrange the furniture.”
The hesitation isn’t hard to grasp when you consider the parade’s staggering cost—estimated between $25 million and $45 million by a U.S. Army spokesperson. Add in street closures in an already congested D.C. and fears of damaged roads from heavy vehicles, and you’ve got a logistical headache that doesn’t exactly scream “must-see TV.”
Critics, including some Republicans like Kentucky’s Rand Paul, aren’t holding back their skepticism, with Paul noting to reporters he’s “never been a big fan of goose-stepping soldiers in big tanks and missiles rolling down the street.” That’s a zinger with bite—calling out the optics of a display that feels more suited to foreign dictatorships than American soil. Even among conservatives, there’s a whisper of concern about overreach.
On the flip side, supporters argue this is a unique chance to celebrate national strength and honor the Army’s historic milestone. It’s not every day Americans get to witness such a display of military prowess right at home. The question remains: is it pride or propaganda?
While the big three networks play it cool, Fox News Channel is all in, preempting their Saturday schedule for four hours of coverage from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with hosts like Lawrence Jones and Emily Compagno. They’re rolling out the red carpet—or should we say, the tank treads—with additional previews from West Potomac Park. Talk about commitment to the cause.
Nexstar’s NewsNation is also diving in headfirst, planning evening-long specials starting at 6 p.m. with Leland Vittert and Anna Kooiman, plus morning previews featuring Army drill team performances. It’s a full-court press that contrasts sharply with the tepid response from larger broadcasters. They’re betting viewers want every angle of this “Tribute to America.”
Meanwhile, other cable networks like MSNBC will have Ali Velshi on hand to report “news as it happens,” which sounds like a polite way of saying they’ll play it by ear. CNN hasn’t even finalized their plans, leaving their coverage intentions a bit of a mystery. It’s a lukewarm response that might leave parade enthusiasts flipping channels in frustration.
The backdrop to all this is a frosty relationship between the Trump administration and mainstream media, with recent lawsuits against ABC and CBS over unfavorable reporting. Disney’s $15 million settlement to Trump’s presidential library after an on-air error by George Stephanopoulos and Paramount Global’s ongoing legal tussle over “60 Minutes” footage don’t exactly foster warm feelings. It’s a tension that likely colors how these networks approach anything tied to Trump’s initiatives.
Let’s not forget the practical side—ABC has the UFL championship, NBC is locked into U.S. Open Golf from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and CBS has local programming and dramas lined up. Fox broadcast network, meanwhile, sticks to Major League Baseball, leaving the parade to Fox News. It’s business as usual, and in the streaming era, live sports still trump tanks for ratings.
For conservatives who value showcasing military strength, this limited coverage feels like a missed opportunity to unite around national pride. Yet, one can’t ignore the valid concerns about cost and optics, even if the progressive agenda often seems quick to dismiss anything tied to traditional values. It’s a tightrope walk between celebration and skepticism.
Ultimately, the June 14 parade will roll on, with or without the blessing of prime-time slots. Whether it’s seen as a powerful tribute or an over-the-top display, viewers will have to decide for themselves—likely through streaming or cable, since the big networks have other plans. It’s a peculiar moment in American media, where even a spectacle this grand struggles to find its spotlight.
