Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve (NYRE), billed since 2008 asDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest, is aNew Year's Evetelevision special broadcast byABC. The special broadcasts primarily fromNew York City'sTimes Square and prominently features coverage of its annualball drop event hosted by television personalityRyan Seacrest, along with live and pre-recorded musical performances bypopular musicians from Times Square andHollywood. Since 2016–17, the special has regularly included performances and/or coverage of midnight festivities from other U.S. locations, includingNew Orleans (Central Time, from 2017–2024),San Juan (Atlantic Time, from 2021–2022), andLas Vegas.

Its creator and namesake was the entertainerDick Clark, who conceivedNew Year's Rockin' Eve as a youthful competitor toGuy Lombardo's popular and long-running New Year's Eve specials onCBS. The special first aired on December 31, 1972; its first two editions were broadcast byNBC, and hosted byThree Dog Night andGeorge Carlin, respectively, with Clark anchoring coverage from Times Square. In 1974–75, the program moved to its current home of ABC, and Clark assumed the role of host. Since 2000–01, the special has broadcast segments inprime time alongside the mainlate-night broadcast; initially occupying the 10:00 p.m.ET/PT hour, from 2011–12 onward the special has occupied the entirety of ABC's primetime and late-night schedule on New Year's Eve.

Following the death of Guy Lombardo on November 5, 1977 and the decline of CBS's specials,New Year's Rockin' Eve grew in popularity and became the dominant New Year's special on U.S. television.New Year's Rockin' Eve has consistently remained the highest-rated New Year's Eve special broadcast by the United States' major television networks; its 2012 edition peaked at 22.6 million home viewers, not including viewers watching from public locations, which were not yetmeasured by Nielsen at the time.^[1][2][3] The special has most recently been renewed through at least 2028–29.^[4]

Dick Clark hostedNew Year's Rockin' Eve annually from 1973 through 2004.^[a] For 2000, Clark participated inABC News' day-longABC 2000 Today telecast, joining overall hostPeter Jennings for coverage from Times Square. In December 2004, Clark suffered astroke, which resulted inRegis Philbin serving as guest host. Clark experienced lingeringspeech impediments from the stroke, causingRyan Seacrest to became co-host with Clark the following year. He continued to make limited appearances as a co-host until his death on April 18, 2012. Hosting solo since the 2012–13 edition, Seacrest has been accompanied by various guest correspondents; since the 2023–24 edition,Rita Ora has served as a Times Square correspondent, whileJeannie Mai has hosted the Los Angeles-based concert segments.

New Year's Rockin' Eve is primarily broadcast fromTimes Square inNew York City, providing coverage of the New Year's Eve festivities held there, and culminating with the long-runningball drop approaching midnightET. Performances bypopular musicians are featured throughout the special: most of these performances—currently billed as the "Billboard Hollywood Party"—are pre-recorded from a studio in Los Angeles.^[5] The special has also featured live, headlining performances from a stage in Times Square, and has occasionally featured performances from other U.S. cities.^[6][7][8]

Since 2005,Ryan Seacrest has hosted the live show outside in Times Square, joined by a celebrity correspondent providing additional reports from attendees. From his return and until his death, Dick Clark hosted a limited number of segments fromTimes Square Studios throughout the broadcast, including the countdown (after which he traditionally kissed his wife Kari Wigton at midnight).^[2][7]

Since the 2000–01 edition, the special has begun with a segment inprime time, which was initially branded asDick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve, and is currently billed forratings purposes as "Primetme – Part 1". Initially airing at 10:00 p.m.ET/PT, the prime time block was extended to 8:00 p.m. ("Part I", with the remaining primetime block billed as "Part II") beginning with the 2011–12 edition. From 2011–12 to 2013–14, "Part I" primarily featured retrospective countdowns using archive footage from the Dick Clark Productions library, including the topNew Year's Rockin' Eve performances of all-time (in honor of the special's 40th anniversary), and the topwomen in music.^[2][9]

Following a break for late local programming (such aslate-night newscasts), the second block of the program is broadcast, which begins at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (previously at 11:30 p.m. until 2021–22), and features coverage of midnight celebrations in theAtlantic Time Zone from the U.S. territory ofPuerto Rico at 10:59 p.m. ET and in theEastern Time Zone from the Times Square ball drop at 11:59 p.m. ET. Until the addition of the prime time block, this segment served as the main block (and from 1997–98 onward, "Part I") of the entireRockin' Eve telecast. From 2016–17 through 2022–23, the late-night block also featured coverage from theJackson Squarefleur-de-lis drop inNew Orleans at midnight in theCentral Time Zone;^[10][11][12] a Central Time segment will be reinstated for 2025–26, this time from Chicago.^[13][14]

After the conclusion of live coverage, the show continues into its final block, which features the remainder of the pre-recorded concert segments. Debuting with the 2000–01 edition, the secondary late-night segment runs up to approximately 2:10 a.m. ET/PT, and has lasted as late as 3:00 a.m. ET/PT in the past.^[15][16][6]

Prior to the premiere ofNew Year's Rockin' Eve, the most well-known New Year's Eve program was the annualbig band remote of bandleaderGuy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, broadcast from the ballroom of theWaldorf-Astoria Hotel. Guy Lombardo hosted 48 straight New Year's Eve broadcasts onCBS until his death in 1977, beginning on radio in 1928 (and for a period, splitting withNBC Radio following midnight ET), and on CBS Television from1956 to1976 (which also featured coverage of the ball drop in Times Square). Lombardo was also well known for his band's performance of the song "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight, which helped make thestandard synonymous with the New Year's holiday in North America.^[17][18][19]

At the time,Dick Clark was well known as the host ofAmerican Bandstand, a music program produced from the studios ofPhiladelphia television station WFIL-TV (nowWPVI-TV) and broadcast byABC.Bandstand itself aired a New Year's Eve special on December 31, 1959.^[20]

By the 1970s, Clark felt that Guy Lombardo's New Year's specials were outdated and did not appeal well to younger viewers; he believed that only older viewers would be interested inbig band music accompanied by "people dancing cheek-to-jowl in theirtuxedos and funny hats".^[19] In response, he decided to produce a more youthful New Year's Eve special of his own to compete. Clark's new program would be known asNew Year's Rockin' Eve, a name chosen to signify the major contrast between his special and the more formal atmosphere of Guy Lombardo's special. The first edition,Three Dog Night's New Year's Rockin' Eve, was aired byNBC on December 31, 1972, and was hosted by the members of therock bandThree Dog Night. The special featured pre-recorded musical performances from the ballroom of theQueen Mary inLong Beach, California byHelen Reddy,Billy Preston, and Three Dog Night. Clark served as a reporter from Times Square for live coverage of the ball drop and arrival of 1973.^{[19][20][21][22]}

The second special,New Year's Rockin' Eve '74, also on NBC, was hosted by comedianGeorge Carlin and featured pre-recorded musical performances byThe Pointer Sisters,Billy Preston,Linda Ronstadt andTower of Power once again from the Queen Mary ballroom.^[23] Beginning with the 1974 edition, the program moved to ABC and Clark assumed hosting duties;^[2][20][24] billed asChicago's New Year's Rockin' Eve 1975 and seen as part ofABC's Wide World of Entertainment late-night block, the first ABC edition was headlined by the rock bandChicago, with guestsThe Beach Boys,The Doobie Brothers,Herbie Hancock andOlivia Newton-John, in segments pre-recorded atMGM Studios in Hollywood.^[25]

Following Guy Lombardo's death in 1977, CBS and the Royal Canadians attempted to continue their New Year's Eve broadcasts from the Waldorf-Astoria for 1977–78. However, the effects of Lombardo's absence led to a decline in viewership, allowingNew Year's Rockin' Eve to overtake the Royal Canadians in viewership in only its sixth year on-air. The threat of the new special also prompted CBS to drop the Royal Canadians entirely in 1979 in favor of a new special,Happy New Year, America, which premiered for New Year's Eve 1979–80. With its recent success, Clark began hoping thatNew Year's Rockin' Eve would become a television tradition of its own, lamenting that "Lombardo would always win [in New York] because of the Waldorf and 35 years of tradition, but we finally got it wrested." Clark's hopes soon became reality, asNew Year's Rockin' Eve had displaced Guy Lombardo as the most popular and most-watched New Year's Eve special on American television in the years following.^[2][20][24]

The 1980 edition was co-hosted byErin Moran andJohn Schneider ofHappy Days andThe Dukes of Hazzard respectively, and continued with Clark's goal to showcase acts that represented the previous year by featuringBarry Manilow,Blondie,Chic,The Oak Ridge Boys, and theVillage People as performers.^[26] The 1988 edition was co-hosted byChina Beach cast membersMarg Helgenberger andBrian Wimmer from the Cocoanut Grove club at theAmbassador Hotel.^[27] In 1990, New Year's Eve fell on a Monday; on that night, ABC was scheduled to broadcast aMonday Night Football game between theLos Angeles Rams and theNew Orleans Saints. Fearing that his special would not be able to start on time (as ABC usually began itsMonday Night Football coverage at the time at 9:00 p.m. ET, which regularly delayed local and network late-night programming), Clark asked ABC to move the game's start time one hour early to 8:00 p.m., so thatRockin' Eve would run at its normal time.

Mark Curry andHolly Robinson of the ABC sitcomHangin' with Mr. Cooper co-hosted for 1993–94, with segments atWalt Disney World featuring performances by acts such asBrooks and Dunn andKiss, along with the marriage of two California firefighters, Laura Turpin and Bob Hutnyan.^[28] The 1994–95 edition was co-hosted withMargaret Cho andSteve Harvey (then respectively starring in the ABC sitcomsAll-American Girl andMe and the Boys, both of which would be cancelled by the end of that television season), and included musical performances fromMelissa Etheridge,Hootie & the Blowfish andSalt-N-Pepa.^[29]

The 1996–97 edition was co-hosted byStacey Dash andDonald Faison of the ABC comedy seriesClueless, and included performances byJann Arden, Kiss,"Weird Al" Yankovic,The Presidents of the United States of America, andThe Tony Rich Project.^[30] This edition also marked the 25th anniversary ofNew Year's Rockin' Eve; Clark marked this accomplishment by discussing the greatest challenges he had faced hosting the special, including being unable to hear his director over the loud crowds in Times Square, harsh weather conditions, and a year where the emcee had to contend with a group of 30 nude attendees in the background. Clark aimed to continue hosting the special through the year 2000.^[31] Ultimately, Clark hosted the program nearly uninterrupted through 2004.^[2][20][24]

Following the 1997–98 edition, ABC aired a second, hour-long special at 1:05 a.m. ET,After New Year's Eve, which was hosted byDavid Sanborn and featured performances byBoz Scaggs,Isaac Hayes,Dr. John,Joan Osborne,Lou Reed, andNaughty by Nature.^[32] In later years,New Year's Rockin' Eve itself would be extended further into the night following the conclusion of coverage from New York.^[15][16][6]

New Year's Rockin' Eve was placed on hiatus for 1999–2000 in favor ofABC 2000 Today, a day-longABC News telecast anchored byPeter Jennings which, as part of aconsortium of broadcasters, presented coverage ofinternational and U.S. festivities celebrating the arrival of the year 2000. Dick Clark joined Jennings and ABC News reporterJack Ford as correspondents for coverage from Times Square; they were among the key members of the team of more than 1,000 members of the ABC News division in New York, London, and elsewhere around the world that were part of the broadcast, which also included correspondents/anchorsCharles Gibson,Diane Sawyer,Barbara Walters, andSam Donaldson and London Bureau chief Rex Granum. They were all under the direction of ABC'sRoger Goodman.^[33]

TheABC 2000 Today telecast overall also received aPeabody Award.^[34] Reflecting on the event, Clark was enthusiastic about his participation, feeling that it was one of the biggest nights he had ever spent in Times Square.^[15]

New Year's Rockin' Eve returned to ABC the following New Year's Eve for the arrival of 2001. The 2000–01 edition also introduced a newprimetime hour at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, which featured additional segments and music performances to lead into the main program. Clark felt positive about the program's expansion into primetime – believing that viewers, no matter where they were, wanted to know what was going on in Times Square on New Year's Eve. Clark was joined byFox & Friends anchorSteve Doocy, and Madison Michelle as reporters in Times Square. ComedianWayne Brady hosted concert segments in Hollywood, which included performances by98 Degrees,Baha Men,Boyz II Men,Lonestar, andThird Eye Blind among others.^[15]

The 2002 edition ofNew Year's Rockin' Eve, its 29th edition, featured pre-recorded concert performances from tours byAerosmith,Destiny's Child, andElton John during the primetime hour, followed by studio segments (again hosted by Wayne Brady) featuring performances byBlink-182,Bush,Busta Rhymes,Jessica Simpson,LFO,The O'Jays, andPink. The primetime hour ofNew Year's Rockin' Eve 2002 was also preceded byABC 2002, a follow-up to theABC 2000 Today special hosted by Peter Jennings from theRose Center for Earth and Space. The three-and-a-half-hour special featured a "meaningful and reflective" view on New Year's celebrations from around the world, and also included performances byArlo Guthrie,Sting, andU2.^[35] Clark personally felt that 2002, since it was the first in the wake of theSeptember 11 attacks, was the most "nerve-racking" New Year's Eve he had ever experienced.^[20]

On December 8, 2004, it was reported that Clark had been hospitalized after suffering from a minorstroke. Despite Clark indicating his participation inNew Year's Rockin' Eve 2005 in a prepared statement, reports soon surfaced that the stroke may have been serious enough to prevent him from hosting at all.^[36] It was officially announced on December 14 that Dick Clark would not be hosting, and thatRegis Philbin would fill in for Clark. In a statement, Clark said that he was thankful that Philbin was able to quickly step in on short notice to host the show, and hoped that he would do a good job. Philbin was optimistic about his role, considering it the "besttemp job ever".^[24]

Various personalities paid tribute to Clark throughout the night; theNew Year's Rockin' Eve broadcast featured special celebrity messages for Clark, and revelers in Times Square were seen with signs saluting Clark. DuringCNN's coverage, revelers in Times Square toldCNN'sJason Carroll that Philbin was "all right" filling in for Clark (but that they still hadAnderson Cooper and Carroll too).^[37]MayorMichael Bloomberg spoke with Philbin on Clark's absence during the show, noting that "it isn't that we don't like Regis, but we want [Clark] back next year."^[38]

Philbin's hosting received mixed reviews: Richard Huff of theNew York Daily News felt that he was "suitable–although not spectacular", was "stiff" at first, and suggested that he might have performed better if he had a co-host to interact with like his daytime talk showLive with Regis and Kelly.^[38] Virginia Heffernan ofThe New York Times believed that Philbin was feeling "surprisingly nervous" in his role at host, and felt that "rowdy crowds" (which Philbin chose to avoid by staying in the studio) and the success ofRod Stewart's music career (which Philbin pounced on to promote his new album, "When You're Smiling") were bothering him.^[39]

In August 2005, ABC announced that Dick Clark would return toNew Year's Rockin' Eve for its 2006 edition, marking his first television appearance since the stroke. For that broadcast, it was also announced Clark would be joined by a new co-host, media personality andAmerican Idol hostRyan Seacrest. Seacrest had previously hostedFox's competingNew Year's Eve Live—which, ironically, would be hosted by Philbin that year. Speaking toUSA Today, Seacrest reminisced on having watchedNew Year's Rockin' Eve in his childhood, stating that "I knew when I was on other shows, I knew we weren't going to beat Dick Clark. He is New Year's Eve."^[40][41] As a part of a long-term deal with Dick Clark Productions, Seacrest also became anexecutive producer for the special.^[40] In an interview withPeople Magazine in December 2005, Seacrest revealed that while Clark had not completely recovered from the stroke, and that his speech was not exactly like how it was beforehand, Clark had made great progress since the original diagnosis.^[42]

For the 2005–06 special, actress and pop singerHilary Duff would host the Hollywood studio segments. The special would be headlined byMariah Carey, who would give the special's first-ever live performance from Times Square itself. While officials from theNYPD were initially wary of allowing the performance due tocrowd control concerns, Times Square performances would become a regular feature of subsequent editions ofNew Year's Rockin' Eve.^[6][7][8]

During the program, Clark made limited on-air appearances, but still conducted his traditional countdown, and also recollected on his recent experiences:

Last year I had a stroke. It left me in bad shape. I had to teach myself how to walk and talk again. It's been a long, hard fight. My speech is not perfect but I'm getting there.^[43]

Public curiosity over Clark's condition and his return to television helpedDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2006 draw in over 20 million viewers throughout the night, and score a 7.1audience share among the key demographic of 18- to 49-year-olds.^[44] Reaction to Clark's appearance was mixed. While some TV critics (including Tom Shales ofThe Washington Post, in an interview with theCBS Radio Network) felt he was not in good enough shape to do the broadcast, stroke survivors and many of Clark's fans praised the emcee for being a role model for people dealing with post-stroke recovery.^[45]The New York TimesBrian Stelter compared Seacrest's new role as co-host ofRockin' Eve to being like a "traffic cop", "tossing to bands and correspondents and to Mr. Clark for the countdown".^[2]

Following the 2006 edition, Dick Clark Productions announced that Seacrest had agreed to remain a host for future editions ofNew Year's Rockin' Eve.^[44] As he was still afflicted withspeech impediments that resulted fromdysarthria, a lingering effect of his stroke, Clark's role in the special was reduced; he continued to make limited studio appearances approaching midnight, while Seacrest hosted the majority of the program outside in Times Square.^[2]

The 2008 edition featured live performances from Times Square byCarrie Underwood,Miley Cyrus, and theJonas Brothers.Fergie ofThe Black Eyed Peas hosted concert segments from Hollywood, which also featured performances byAkon,Natasha Bedingfield,Sean Kingston,OneRepublic,Plain White T's,Taylor Swift andwill.i.am.^[46] Seacrest's increased role as host was recognized beginning on the 2009 edition, as the special was officially renamedDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest.^[2] It featured live performances by the Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, andLionel Richie, withKellie Pickler serving as a correspondent. Hollywood segments featured performances byFall Out Boy,Jesse McCartney, Natasha Bedingfield,Ne-Yo,The Pussycat Dolls,Solange,Robin Thicke and, will.i.am.^[47]

For its 2010 edition, headlining performances in Times Square includedDaughtry, andJennifer Lopez (who infamously wore a dark-coloredcatsuit for her performance to mixed reviews),^[48] whileMelissa Rycroft served as a correspondent. Fergie hosted concert segments on-location fromLas Vegas, Nevada, featuring performances by her groupThe Black Eyed Peas,Colbie Caillat, Robin Thicke,Keri Hilson,Selena Gomez,Justin Bieber,David Guetta, andOrianthi.^[49]American Idol season 8 runner-upAdam Lambert stated that he was also reportedly scheduled to perform, but dropped from bothRockin' Eve and a scheduled appearance on fellow ABC programJimmy Kimmel Live! in response to hiscontroversial performance at theAmerican Music Awards (which are also produced by Dick Clark Productions). Neither ABC nor Dick Clark Productions ever confirmed whether or not Lambert had been booked at all, however.^[50]

The 2011 edition featured live performances byKesha,Taio Cruz and the supergroupNKOTBSB (the combinedBackstreet Boys andNew Kids on the Block), and actressJenny McCarthy served as a reporter from Times Square. Fergie reprised her role as host for the pre-recorded Hollywood segments,^[51] which included performances byAvril Lavigne (featuring the world premiere of "What the Hell", the lead single from her then-upcoming albumGoodbye Lullaby),^[52] Natasha Bedingfield (who performed her latest single "Strip Me"),Jennifer Hudson, Ne-Yo,Train,Mike Posner,Willow Smith,Jason Derülo,Far East Movement,La Roux,Kesha, andDrake.^[51] Viewership for the 2011 edition peaked at around 19 million viewers.^[2]

The 2011–12 edition was once again hosted by Seacrest, with Clark co-hosting what would become his final appearance on the program.^[53] Fergie co-hosted for the sixth consecutive year for the pre-taped Hollywood segments, while Jenny McCarthy returned for her second year corresponding from Times Square.^[54] Musical guests in Times Square includedLady Gaga (who also joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg in activating the ball drop), Justin Bieber,Pitbull andHot Chelle Rae.^[54] Performers in the Hollywood segments included Taio Cruz,Nicki Minaj, Blink-182,Florence and the Machine,LMFAO,Gym Class Heroes, OneRepublic (atDisneyland),The Band Perry, will.i.am,Christina Perri,^[55] and Robin Thicke.^[2] To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first edition ofNew Year's Rockin' Eve aired in 1972, the primetime portion of the show was preceded by a two-hour retrospective special focusing on memorable music performances from the show's history.^[2]

New Year's Rockin' Eve 2012 brought ABC's highest ratings on New Year's Eve sinceABC 2000 Today; an average 8.4 million viewers watched the retrospective segment, the primetime hour brought in 12.9 million viewers, and the first hour of the main broadcast peaked at 22.6 million viewers. These numbers excluded viewership from locations such asbars and New Year's Eve parties, asNielsen ratings do not account for out-of-home viewership (however, the company announced on October 24, 2016, that it would begin to offer out-of-home ratings data to broadcasters in April 2017).^[3][1]

On April 18, 2012, Dick Clark died after suffering aheart attack following surgery to fix anenlarged prostate.^[56][53] Neither ABC or Dick Clark Productions immediately commented on the future of the program.^[56]

In August 2012, ABC confirmed via a press release thatNew Year's Rockin' Eve would return for its 2012–13 edition.^[57] The primetime hour of this edition was preceded by a two-hour tribute special,New Year's Rockin' Eve Celebrates Dick Clark.^[58] Clark's legacy was also recognized by the Times Square Alliance, organizers of the ball drop: a triangularWaterford Crystal panel engraved with Dick Clark's name was presented to hiswidow Kari Wigton and installed on the ball.^[6]

On October 23, 2013, Dick Clark Productions confirmed the 2013–14 edition ofNew Year's Rockin' Eve, and announced that Ryan Seacrest had signed a multi-year deal of unspecified length to continue serving as host and executive producer of the special. Seacrest stated that he would "forever be both sentimental and grateful" about his involvement in the special, and that he was "excited to work together to create new traditions and fun moments on the show that only live television can deliver." Fellow producer Allen Shapiro credited Seacrest's involvement inNew Year's Rockin' Eve for its "extended and expanded" success.^[59][60] That year, the special was aired in simulcast in Canada for first time byCitytv, replacing its coverage of concert festivities atToronto'sNathan Phillips Square (the network'slocal station continued to sponsor the event, however).^[61][62] While viewership was down by 5%,New Year's Rockin' Eve was still the highest-rated among the New Year's specials.^[63]

On February 7, 2014, ABC announced that it had renewedNew Year's Rockin' Eve through 2024.^[64] The 2016 edition featuredOne Direction's final U.S. television appearance before their planned hiatus.^[65] That year,New Year's Rockin' Eve was once again the highest rated of the New Year's Eve specials across the major networks; for the late-night portion, while overall household viewership was down by 7%, ratings in the 18–49 demographic were up by 3%.^[66]

The 2017 edition expanded to feature coverage of New Year's Eve festivities inNew Orleans hosted byLucy Hale, with performances by Jason Derulo andPanic! at the Disco from theSugar Bowl's Allstate Fan Fest concert, andJackson Square'sfleur-de-lis drop at midnight in theCentral Time Zone.^[67][68][69] The segments were subsidized by New Orleans and the state of Louisiana as a means of promoting tourism.^[70][71] While household ratings for the late-night portion of the broadcast were down by 9% in comparison to 2016,New Year's Rockin' Eve was once again the highest-rated New Year's special across the major networks, with a 9.0 rating in metered markets, and a 6.8 rating among adults 18–49.^[72]

Mariah Carey was one of the Times Square headliners for the 2017 edition. Her performance was notably marred by technical issues; when opening with "Emotions", Carey remarked throughout the song that she was unable to hear her backing track. On her second song, "We Belong Together", she briefly sang the song with a backing track before abruptly stopping. A representative of the singer claimed that Carey had alerted production staff that herin-ear monitors were not working, but that they refused to address the situation, and alleged that they were "[setting] her up to fail".^[73][74][75] Dick Clark Productions denied any wrongdoing, stating that they "had no involvement" in the incident, and that the allegations by Carey's management that they had intentionally sabotaged her performance were "defamatory, outrageous and frankly absurd".^[76]

New Jersey'sCasino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) had announced plans for a live performance fromAtlantic City'sBoardwalk Hall by an unannounced artist,^[77] but these plans fell through, citing "scheduling conflicts and other considerations".^[78]The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the CRDA's contract to host the DCP-producedMiss America pageant in Atlantic City contained provisions allowing "promotional accommodations" for the city in other DCP-produced programming, such asNew Year's Rockin' Eve and theBillboard Music Awards.Robert Mulcahy, chairman of the board for the CRDA, explained thatLive Nation (which was to fund the broadcast using cash left over from cancelled beach concerts) were unable to find an act that met the approval of DCP, and added that local casinos declined to fund the performance, as they preferred to host their own parties rather than book major acts.^[79][77]

Despite the previous year's incident, Carey was subsequently invited to perform in Times Square again forNew Year's Rockin' Eve 2018, in what media outlets described as an attempt at "redemption".^[80][81][82] The 2018 edition saw major ratings gains, especially in primetime; the 8:00–10:00 p.m. primetime segment reached 10.5 million viewers with a 3.1/13 rating among 18-49s, and the 10:00 p.m. hour reached 15.7 million viewers and a 5.0/20 rating among 18-49s—the highest ratings to date for the 10:00 p.m. segment.New Year's Rockin' Eve's only major competitor on English-language network television was Fox's inauguralNew Year's Eve with Steve Harvey, as NBC was committed to airSunday Night Football if the NFLshifted a Week 17 game with playoff implications into primetime (however, the NFL decided against doing so, and NBC thus aired rerun programming in primetime instead).^[83][84]

On November 13, 2018, it was announced thatYouTube Music would be a presenting sponsor of the 2019 edition. The service is also presenting sponsor of the DCP-produced American Music Awards.^[85][86] With the return ofNBC's New Year's Eve after a hiatus, the 2019 edition experienced a decline in ratings to an 8.3 household share for its late-night portion, but was once again the top-rated among the New Year's specials.^[87]

On October 7, 2019, Jenny McCarthy stated onLive with Kelly and Ryan that she would not appear as the Times Square correspondent for the 2020 edition ofNew Year's Rockin' Eve, citing a desire to spend the holiday with her family, and her commitments toseason 3 of Fox'sThe Masked Singer.^[88] Lucy Hale would serve as Times Square correspondent in place of McCarthy, whileBilly Porter of theFX seriesPose hosted the New Orleans segments in place of Hale, and also performed his song "Love Yourself".^[89] Ciara again hosted the Hollywood concert segments. LongtimeABC News journalistBarbara Walters (via file footage) and other ABC personalities also played into asocial mediameme involving her longtime intro to the ABC newsmagazine20/20, by noting in a segment that "This is 2020".^[90][91] The broadcast also introduced a sponsored segment featuring a "first millionaire of 2020" promotion by thePowerball lottery.^[92]

Hale and Porter were named Times Square correspondents for the 2021 edition.^[93][94]Cyndi Lauper performed a duet with Porter—who had been a cast member for her Broadway musicalKinky Boots.^[95] Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, both the Times Square^[96] and New Orleans^[70] celebrations televised by the special were held with no public attendance (with the former featuring a limited audience of essential workers and their families).^[96] The special featured an on-air interview between Seacrest andPresident-electJoe Biden and his wifeJill Biden.^[97]Big Freedia hosted the New Orleans segments of the special.^[98]

In December 2020, it was reported that Mayor of New OrleansLaToya Cantrell had sent a letter to DCP requesting thatLauren Daigle (aChristian singer from Louisiana who had seen recent success as a popcrossover) not appear as a New Orleans-based performer for the special, citing her recent guest appearance during a worship event organized bySean Feucht that was not approved by the city, and violated COVID-19-related public health orders.^[99] After criticism of the letter by state lieutenant governorBilly Nungesser (who maintained that Daigle had mistaken it for a legitimate event), a DCP staff member toldThe Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate that Daigle had not actually been booked at all.^[70]

On December 16, 2021, it was announced that Seacrest had signed a multi-year extension with DCP's parent companyMRC to continue his role as host and EP ofNew Year's Rockin' Eve. (MRC discontinued Dick Clark Productions as a studioimprint in September 2021, and moved all of its productions under the MRC Live & Alternative banner; this change was reversed after the merger of MRC andEldridge Industries' media properties was unwound in 2022.)^{[100][101][102]}

The 2022 edition—which marked the 50th anniversary of the first edition ofNew Year's Rockin' Eve—added coverage from the U.S. territory ofPuerto Rico, consisting of segments fromDistrito T-Mobile inSan Juan, Puerto Rico hosted byRoselyn Sánchez and headlined by rapperDaddy Yankee, and the special's first broadcast of midnight celebrations in theAtlantic Time Zone to conclude the primetime block at 11:00 p.m. ET.^[10][11] Billy Porter returned as host of the New Orleans segments, whileLiza Koshy reported from Times Square.^[103]D-Nice also made guest appearances for the Los Angeles segments alongside Ciara.^[104] WhileLL Cool J was originally announced as one of the headlining acts in Times Square, he was dropped on December 29 due to a COVID-19 infection.Chlöe was also dropped from the special for unspecified reasons.^[105] On December 31, ABC announced thatKarol G had dropped out, but thatAshanti andJa Rule had also joined the lineup.^[106]

ABC confirmed that Koshy, Porter, Ciara, and D-Nice would all return in their respective roles for the 2023 edition. To promote its upcoming "100 Years of Wonder" events forThe Walt Disney Company's centennial year, concert segments were also filmed atDisneyland in Anaheim.^[107] The special also returned to Puerto Rico, withFarruko as featured performer andDayanara Torres as host.^[108][12] In a major change in scheduling emulating what NBC implemented the previous year for its newly-introduced specialMiley's New Year's Eve Party,^[109][110] "Part 1" of the primetime block now ended at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT rather than 11:00, and resumed with "Part 2" from 10:30—11:30 p.m. ET/PT, which included the Atlantic Time countdown from San Juan. The 11:30 p.m.—12:36 a.m. block containing the Times Square ball drop was now billed as "Part 1" of the late-night broadcast.^{[111][112][b]} ABC finished first overall in total and key demographic audience share, but average viewership saw a decline, with the primetime segment falling from 6.8 million to 5.2 million viewers, and part 1 of the late-night portion falling from 19.6 million to 13.2 million viewers.^[112]

On November 20, 2023, ABC and Dick Clark Productions announced that it had renewedNew Year's Rockin' Eve through 2028–29.^[4] The 2023–24 edition featured several major changes:Rita Ora was announced as the new Times Square co-host, withJeannie Mai now hosting the Hollywood segments.^[113] The New Orleans segments and Central Time festivities were dropped due to a lack of local tourism and municipal subsidies to fund the segments.^[71] An audio simulcast of the special was also carried byiHeartMediahot adult contemporary andtop 40 stations, as an extension of the company's recent partnership with ABC to broadcast itsiHeartRadio Music Festival andJingle Ball Tour specials (Seacrest also hosts two nationally-syndicated radio shows distributed by iHeartMedia,American Top 40 andOn Air with Ryan Seacrest).^[114][115] Ratings improved over 2023, with the primetime block averaging 7.03 million viewers (but notably being beaten by CBS'sNew Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash, which drew 8.31 million during that block through anNFL lead-in), and 18 million for part 1 of the late-night portion (peaking at 22 million near midnight).^[116][117]

The 2025 edition featured coverage fromLas Vegas in partnership withMGM Resorts,^[118] hosted byRob Gronkowski.^[119] In November 2025, it was announced that the 2025–26 edition would reinstate Central Time segments, this time from Chicago.^[13][14] ABC'sowned-and-operated stationWLS-TV had historically broadcast its own local New Year's Eve special known asCountdown Chicago.^[120]

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AsNew Year's Rockin' Eve gained prominence in American pop culture as an annual mainstay, Clark made appearances in other television series and films to reference his role.^[184]

During aY2K-themed short inThe Simpsons' 1999Halloween special "Treehouse of Horror X", Clark made a cameo appearance hosting a New Year's Eve event inSpringfield. In a satirical nod to his perennially youthful appearance, the Y2K bug causes the emcee to melt and expose him as actually being arobot.^[184] In a commentary with one of the episode's writers,Ron Hauge, for the show's Season 11 DVD release, Clark said that the episode garnered the "biggest response" he had ever gotten from anything he had ever done.^[185] Clark also made an appearance during thepilot episode of fellowMatt Groening seriesFuturama, "Space Pilot 3000", where the emcee (now portrayed as ahead preserved in a jar) is seen hostingNew Year's Rockin' Eve 3000.^[186]

In the 1994 filmForrest Gump, footage of Clark from the first edition ofNew Year's Rockin' Eve is seen on a television at a bar during a scene of the film taking place on New Year's Eve in 1972.^[187] New Year's Rockin' Eve itself was the subject of a 1999 episode ofFriends, "The One with the Routine", in whichJanine invitesJoey,Ross, andMonica to attend an in-universe taping for the special as audience members.^[188][189]

• Feature Page for ABC'sDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest
• Archived Feature Page for ABC'sDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest
• ABC 2000 Today: The Millennium atIMDb
• New Year's Rockin' Eve 2001 atIMDb
• New Year's Rockin' Eve 2002 atIMDb
• Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve 2004 atIMDb
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• New Year's Rockin' Eve 2008 atIMDb
• New Year's Rockin' Eve 2009 atIMDb
• Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2010 atIMDb

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