NBC did not interrupt its broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade yesterday to bring viewers the news that an M&M balloon had crashed into a light pole, injuring two sisters.
In fact, when the time came in the tightly scripted three-hour program for the M&Ms’ appearance, NBC weaved in tape of the balloon crossing the finish line at last year’s parade – even as the damaged balloon itself was being dragged from the accident scene.
As anyone who watches the Macy’s parade on TV has long realized, it’s a TV program like any other variety show. All repeating events with television coverage become television programs.