Marketplace®
Every story is an economic story

Helium is at a premium this Thanksgiving

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade attracts millions of viewers, there for the floats, the songs and character balloons like Charlie Brown and Pikachu, some as tall as five stories. Those balloons are full of helium, a non-renewable resource of which there is a shortage — or is there?

The Pikachu balloon floats during the 92nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22, 2018 in New York City. 
The Pikachu balloon floats during the 92nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22, 2018 in New York City. 
Kena Betancur/Getty Images

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade attracts millions of viewers, there for the floats, the songs and character balloons like Charlie Brown and Pikachu, some as tall as five stories. Those balloons are full of helium, a non-renewable resource of which there is a shortage — or is there?

Latest Episodes

View All Shows
  • Million Bazillion
    7 days ago
    27:55
  • Marketplace
    8 hours ago
    25:18
  • Marketplace Morning Report
    15 hours ago
    6:49
  • Marketplace Tech
    20 hours ago
    9:25
  • This Is Uncomfortable
    3 days ago
    21:47
  • Make Me Smart
    4 months ago
    24:33