By Michaela Gordoni
New York usually gets all the attention on New Year’s Eve, but this year’s DICK CLARK’S NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE will celebrate its 55th anniversary with a countdown from a central time zone in Chicago.
It’s the first time in the show’s history that Chicago will have a countdown, according to Parade.
The local ABC network, WLS-TV, is “‘Chicago Proud’ to have the opportunity to showcase the amazing city of Chicago onDICK CLARK’S NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE,” said John Idler, general manager and president of WLS-TV Chicago. “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.”
Ryan Seacrest will host the live show in New York, and Chicago will have its own new host. There will also be a Spanish-language live Atlantic Time zone countdown from Puerto Rico — another first for the DICK CLARK program. Previous years saw countdowns in LA and Nashville.
The special marks a great year-end for Chicago, which had record-breaking summer tourism with 3.5 hotel bookings, Block Club Chicago reported.
“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 Barry Adelman, EVP, Television, Dick Clark Productions. “The addition of a live Central Time zone countdown from Chicago (my hometown!) 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.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson said, “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.”
There will be “live performances and on-the-ground updates and reporting throughout the evening,” and “more details will be announced soon.”
Each year, 29 million viewers tune in to DICK CLARK’S show. Ryan Seacrest has been the main host since Clark’s death in 2012.
The special airs Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. EST.
The Time’s Square ball drop is also getting updated. It’s only been updated nine times since it first dropped over 100 years ago in 1907, but this year, it will don 5,280 Waterford crystals, AOL reported. The crystals will each have a different pattern meant to symbolize the theme of “Infinite Joy, Infinite Light, Infinite Beginnings” for the year.
Read Next: NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE Extends Deal with ABC Through 2029
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