‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’: How Many Hosts Have There Been?
For a generation of viewers, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve has been must-see viewing on December 31. The show celebrates its 52nd installment in 2024 with Ryan Seacrest as host, but how many others have led the series to ring in the new year with viewers?
‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ has had a surprising number of hosts
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve was developed as a way to compete against the more traditional Guy Lombardo series on CBS. It was geared to a younger audience, with trending music superstars and celebrities of the day, versus Lombardo, who skewed towards their parents.
The series debuted in 1972. However, Dick Clark wasn’t the host.
The series’s first two years were hosted by musical group Three Dog Night and comedian George Carlin. It also aired on CBS.
In 1974 the annual party moved to the ABC network and Clark took over hosting duties. The 1980 edition was co-hosted by television stars Erin Moran and John Schneider of Happy Days and The Dukes of Hazzard.
Mark Curry and Holly Robinson of the ABC sitcom Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper co-hosted for 1993–94, and one year later, Margaret Cho and Steve Harvey took the reins. In 1996–97 Stacey Dash and Donald Faison hosted. Throughout the years, there have been many other co-hosts, but the show’s stars were Clark and Ryan Seacrest.
Throughout the rain, cold, and snow, Clark began broadcasting live from Times Square. After suffering a stroke, Regis Philbin stepped in for Clark in 2005.
Seacrest joined the program beginning in 2006. He was initially brought on as a co-host alongside Dick Clark following Clark’s stroke in 2004. Seacrest gradually took on a more prominent role and officially became the main host after Clark’s passing in 2012, continuing to carry the show’s legacy.
A name change reflected the shift. The program was renamed Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.
The series was canceled one time in its history
Throughout the series’ history, it was canceled one time. Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve didn’t air during 2000.
ABC News presented ABC 2000 Today, hosted by Peter Jennings. Instead of musical guests, the show featured coverage of festivities held in the United States and across the globe. Dick Clark did appear alongside Jennings and reporter Jack Ford as correspondents from Times Square.
New Year’s Rockin’ Eve returned to ABC the following New Year’s Eve to usher in 2001. That installment was the first time the show began airing at 10 p.m. and featured performances and segments before the yearly ball drop in Times Square.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Times Square ball drop had no public attendance. Instead sectioned-off, socially distanced groups of essential workers and their families attended the very pared-down celebration.
Who will host ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest’ in 2025?
Ryan Seacrest will host the 2025 edition of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve With Ryan Seacrest. He will lead the countdown to midnight alongside global superstar Rita Ora live from Times Square. Dayanara Torres returns as co-host in Puerto Rico.
Carrie Underwood will close out 2024 with a live, headlining performance of some of her biggest hits in Times Square just before midnight. Megan Moroney and Sophie Ellis-Bextor will join Underwood in Times Square to ring in 2025 with live performances.
Also appearing in Times Square will be Lenny Kravitz, Teddy Swims, Tinashe, Cody Johnson, TLC, and Thomas Rhett. In Hollywood, Alanis Morissette takes, along with Reneé Rapp, Dasha, Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Slick Rick & Doug E. Fresh, Ernest, HARDY, and Kesha.
Shortly after 2025 begins, the Jonas Brothers kick off their 20th anniversary celebration with a thrilling, career-spanning medley of songs in Times Square. Their performance airs just after midnight.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest airs beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
