WASHINGTON — CBS is marking the United States' 250th anniversary of independence on Saturday with a three-hour live primetime special, "The Great American Block Party 250," bringing together musical performances, reports from celebrations across the country and a fireworks finale from the nation's capital, according to the network.
The broadcast, airing from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on July 4, is hosted by CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil and Entertainment Tonight co-host Nischelle Turner. The pair will anchor the program from the grounds of the Washington Monument as the network links viewers to concerts, community events and commemorations taking place nationwide.
CBS said the special will feature performances by the Zac Brown Band, Jon Batiste, Goo Goo Dolls and The War and Treaty, alongside selected performances from America 250 events in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Those segments include appearances by Queen Latifah at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and by The Roots and Jill Scott during Philadelphia's "One Philly: Unity Concert for America."
The network said the program will also include visits to hometown performances by featured artists in Atlanta, Montclair, New Jersey, Irvine, California, and Nashville, Tennessee. Television personality and Washington chef Rock Harper will join Dokoupil and Turner for cooking segments highlighting traditional American dishes during the broadcast.
CBS News correspondents are scheduled to contribute reports from Washington and New York as part of the special coverage. According to CBS, Kelly O'Grady will report from the capital, while Rob Marciano will provide updates from New York's historic Fraunces Tavern. Correspondent Lilia Luciano is also scheduled to report on the latest developments surrounding the wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce from Madison Square Garden.
Beyond Washington, the broadcast will include highlights from Independence Day celebrations in Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Charleston, New York, Philadelphia, Mount Rushmore and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. CBS also plans to mark the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, as part of the nationwide coverage.
The program is scheduled to conclude with what organizers have described as the largest fireworks display ever staged over Washington, D.C. CBS said the special will air simultaneously on the CBS Television Network while also streaming on Paramount+ and CBS News 24/7, with live access additionally available through CBS News digital platforms.
