The network said Friday that 34.3 million viewers tuned in to coverage of the 99th annual parade across NBC and Peacock, according to preliminary Nielsen data. That marks its biggest combined audience on record, outperforming last year’s parade by 2.5 million viewers, an increase of 8 percent. (Peacock has about 5 million more subscribers than it did a year ago at this time.)

The original 8:30 a.m. ET broadcast on NBC averaged 25.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched entertainment telecast in nearly seven years, since the Academy Awards telecast on Feb. 24, 2019, which aired on ABC.

In other Thanksgiving programming, The National Dog Show Presented by Purina averaged 12.8 million viewers, a 4 percent increase over last year. In late-night, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night With Seth Meyers brought in their biggest audiences since their post-NFL broadcasts on Sept. 4.

“These record-breaking numbers signify how beloved this parade is to our audience and we couldn’t be more thrilled to begin the holiday season on such a wonderful note,” said Jen Neal, executive vp live events and specials, NBCUniversal Entertainment. “A profound thank-you to Macy’s for their partnership in producing such an iconic event.”

NBC’s coverage of this year’s parade was again hosted by Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker. It marked Kotb’s first return to hosting duties on the network following her departure from Today in January.

In addition to floats, marching bands and giant balloons, this edition featured performers including Cynthia Erivo, Lil Jon, Busta Rhymes, Jonathan Groff, Ciara, Jewel, Foreigner,  Teyana Taylor and EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI from KPop group HUNTR/X of KPop Demon Hunters.