Copyright Variety
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” will add a countdown segment for the Central time zone for the first time in the more than 50-year history of the live telecast on ABC. The countdown originating from Chicago will join the traditional segments that notch the last seconds to midnight in New York and the Spanish-language countdown that comes from Puerto Rico. “Rockin’ Eve” producer Dick Clark Productions said the Chicago installments will include a new host, live performance and on-the-ground updates and reporting throughout the evening. “We are proud to announce that ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ is coming to the greatest city in the world,” said Brandon Johnson, mayor of Chicago. “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the beauty and dynamism of our city and its people for the world to see. We could not be more excited to welcome in the new year with fireworks, music and Chicago pride.” John Idler, general manager of ABC O&O WLS-TV, reiterated the mayor’s sentiment. The Windy City is ” ‘Chicago Proud’ to have the opportunity to showcase the amazing city of Chicago on ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.’ We look forward to bringing viewers a spectacular fireworks display centered on the iconic bridges that cross the Chicago River and cascade over the city’s world class architecture,” Idler said. Chicago also happens to be the hometown of longtime “Rockin’ Eve” executive producer Barry Adelman, executive VP of television for Dick Clark Prods. “For more than five decades, ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ has served as America’s premier destination for live New Year’s Eve entertainment, bringing people together from coast to coast to celebrate the start of a new year,” said Adelman. “The addition of a live Central time zone countdown from Chicago marks an exciting new chapter for the show and lets us share this iconic American city’s incredible energy, culture and spirit with millions of viewers across the country.” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026” airs Wednesday, Dec. 31, live on ABC starting at 8 p.m. ET. It’s routinely the top telecast of New Year’s Eve and one of the year’s most-watched entertainment specials the 2024-25 countdown special grabbed about 29 million viewers in the midnight hour.
