15 TV Specials That Felt Like Events Back Then
Television once created special broadcasts that felt like major cultural events when they aired.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Before on-demand streaming, TV specials brought millions of people together at the same time. These broadcasts often marked premieres, holiday traditions, or once-in-a-lifetime performances. Here are 15 TV specials that captured huge attention and felt unforgettable during their moment.
1. The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show (1964)
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This live performance introduced The Beatles to a massive American audience. More than 70 million viewers watched, making it one of the most significant TV moments of the decade. The excitement confirmed the start of Beatlemania in the United States. It became one of the most remembered broadcasts in music history.
2. Roots Miniseries Finale (1977)
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The final episode of Roots drew over 100 million viewers in the United States. It told a multigenerational story of slavery and survival, sparking wide discussions about history. Families gathered to watch together, making it both entertainment and education. The finale remains one of the most-watched events in television history.
3. Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special
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This special marked Elvis Presley’s return to live performance after years focused on movies. The broadcast showed him in an intimate setting with a strong stage presence. Viewers saw him reclaim his status as a major music figure. It is remembered as a turning point in his career.
4. The MAS*H Series Finale (1983)
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The final episode of MAS*H was watched by more than 100 million Americans. It was one of the highest-rated television broadcasts in U.S. history. Fans treated it as a farewell to a show that mixed humor with the realities of war. The finale created a shared cultural moment rarely matched by later TV.
5. Live Aid Concert (1985)
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This global broadcast featured performances in London and Philadelphia to raise money for famine relief. Audiences in more than 150 countries tuned in, reaching nearly 2 billion people. Iconic performances by Queen and U2 became part of music history. It showed the power of television to connect the world in real time.
6. Michael Jackson’s Motown 25 Performance (1983)
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During this special, Michael Jackson debuted the moonwalk on national television. The moment became one of the most replayed and discussed performances in pop culture. Millions of viewers saw him redefine stage presence in just a few minutes. The broadcast cemented him as a global superstar.
7. The Wizard of Oz Annual TV Broadcasts
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For many years, this film was shown once a year as a television event. Families would gather because there was no other way to watch at home before VHS. Each broadcast felt special and became part of childhood traditions. It showed the power of scheduling to create anticipation.
8. Who Shot J.R.? Dallas Episode Reveal (1980)
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The mystery around the shooting of J.R. Ewing kept audiences waiting for months. When the answer was revealed, over 80 million viewers in the U.S. tuned in. It became one of the biggest cliffhanger resolutions in television. The episode proved how serialized storytelling could dominate conversation.
9. Super Bowl Halftime Show: Michael Jackson (1993)
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This performance transformed the halftime show into a must-watch spectacle. Jackson’s showmanship drew record audiences and shifted how the NFL approached halftime entertainment. From that year forward, the halftime show became a centerpiece of the event. It was no longer just about football but about global entertainment.
10. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
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This animated holiday special quickly became a yearly tradition. Its simple animation and heartfelt story stood out at the time. Millions of families tuned in together to watch. The special has remained a cultural event for decades.
11. The Moon Landing Broadcast (1969)
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Although not entertainment, the live broadcast of the Apollo 11 moon landing was a true global television event. Around 600 million people worldwide watched Neil Armstrong’s first steps. It represented a shared human achievement. The moment remains one of the most important in TV history.
12. The Simpsons’ “Who Shot Mr. Burns?” (1995)
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This animated cliffhanger became a cultural talking point all summer. Viewers speculated on who shot the character, similar to the Dallas phenomenon. The resolution episode attracted massive viewership. It showed that even animated television could command event-like attention.
13. Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever (1983)
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This anniversary special featured a reunion of The Supremes, The Jacksons, and other Motown legends. It attracted huge audiences and revived interest in classic soul and R&B. Performances became iconic, particularly Michael Jackson’s solo moment. It was a television celebration of an influential record label.
14. The Day After (1983)
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This made-for-TV movie depicted the aftermath of a nuclear attack on the United States. Over 100 million Americans tuned in, making it one of the most-watched TV films ever. The broadcast sparked national conversations about nuclear war. Its impact reached beyond entertainment into politics and education.
15. Friends Series Finale (2004)
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The finale of Friends drew more than 50 million viewers in the United States. It marked the end of one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1990s and early 2000s. Fans gathered to watch together, creating a collective experience. The finale was one of the last major network events before streaming changed television viewing habits.