Before Ryan Seacrest hosted Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve for the 21st time, he celebrated the New Year by ringing in Nasdaq’s closing bell.
The longtime TV host visited Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square on Wednesday ahead of the night’s broadcast, where he teased a literally record-breaking show. With the show’s length being extended to a whopping eight-hours, the 2025-2026 edition marks the longest telecast in Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve‘s history.
“You can see the excitement on my face, because tonight is the night I look forward to all year long,” Seacrest said during the closing bell ceremony. “I’ve done this now, this will be my 21st year hosting Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. And tonight, we are going to break records with the longest show in history, the most packed show in history with talent.”
Seacrest noted the star-studded list of slated performances, which included Diana Ross as the night’s headliner. “We’ve got everybody from 50 Cent, we’ve got KPop Demon Hunters — if you were popular in 2025, you’re with us tonight for Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, with me, Ryan Seacrest. Just before midnight, Diana Ross will take the stage. We cannot wait for that,” he said.
Seacrest is joined by co-hosts Rita Ora, Chance the Rapper, Rob Gronkowski, Julianne Hough and Roselyn Sánchez, and the broadcast kicked off at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC. Additional performers included Chappell Roan, Charlie Puth, Demi Lovato, Maren Morris, Mariah Carey, OneRepublic, Pitbull and Post Malone.
At the bell ringing, the Live with Kelly and Ryan host was also joined by Jay Penske, CEO of Dick Clark Productions and chairman/CEO of Penske Media Corporation. “I’m so grateful for the teams at Dick Clark, Penske Media and, of course, our friends at ABC who sacrifice so much of their holidays to make this amazing show broadcast all over America,” Penske added. “We are so excited to ring in the New Year’s with all of you on ABC!”
New Year’s Rockin’ Eve is regarded as the most-watched New Year’s Eve celebration. Last year’s special drew more than 29 million total viewers at midnight, according to Nielsen live plus same-day data.
The show is produced by Dick Clark Productions, with Seacrest, Michael Dempsey and Barry Adelman serving as executive producers. DCP is owned by Penske Media Corporation, parent company of The Hollywood Reporter.
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