48 Hours Pre-Empted on July 4 2026 for The Great American Block Party 250

48 Hours will be pre-empted on Saturday, July 4, 2026, as CBS devotes its primetime schedule to a live national celebration commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Instead of its regular true crime lineup, CBS will air The Great American Block Party 250, a three-hour live special celebrating America’s semiquincentennial.

Broadcast live from Washington, D.C., the event will feature concerts, patriotic tributes and celebrations from across the country before culminating in what organizers are calling the largest fireworks display in U.S. history over the National Mall.

CBS Mornings co-hosts Tony Dokoupil and Gayle King will host the event live from the shadow of the Washington Monument.

The special includes exclusive performances by:

• Zac Brown Band
• Jon Batiste
• Goo Goo Dolls
• The War and Treaty
• Additional guest performers to be announced

Schedule

• Program: The Great American Block Party 250
• Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
• Time: 8:00–11:00 p.m. ET/PT
• Network: CBS
• Reason for pre-emption: Live coverage of America’s 250th birthday celebration.

As a result, 48 Hours will not air on July 4, 2026, with the true crime newsmagazine expected to return to its regular Saturday night timeslot the following week.