ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” delivered a strong ratings performance, securing the network’s first major win of the year.
Hosted by Ryan Seacrest for the 20th consecutive year, the special attracted an average of 17.9 million viewers, along with a 4.7 rating in the coveted 18-49 age demographic during its late-night segment (11:30 p.m. to 12:29 a.m.). Viewership peaked at 21.5 million during the midnight hour, with an 18-49 rating of 5.7, according to Nielsen data.
These impressive figures positioned ABC ahead of its competitors on New Year’s Eve. The broadcast was the top-rated program of the night, far surpassing CBS’ “New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash,” which drew 6.9 million viewers during its late-night segment. NBC’s “Day Drinking with Seth Meyers” captured a mere 1.5 million viewers, while ABC’s late-night broadcast claimed a dominant 17.9 million.
The telecast also marked ABC’s most-watched entertainment broadcast since the 2024 Academy Awards and its largest non-sports audience since the September 2024 presidential debate.
Although primetime viewership was lower than during the midnight portion, “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” still led the evening. From 8 to 10 p.m., the first part of the show averaged 6.2 million viewers and a 1.5 rating, outpacing CBS’ 4.9 million viewers and 0.7 rating. The second part, which aired from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m., saw a jump to 9.5 million viewers and a 2.4 rating, well ahead of CBS’ 5.7 million and 1.1 rating.
On cable, CNN’s “New Year’s Eve Live,” hosted by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, was the top-rated holiday program. The special, which aired from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., attracted 1.9 million viewers, peaking at 3.7 million during the midnight ball drop — its highest viewership since 2021. ESPN’s college football coverage was the only cable program to outperform CNN, but at midnight, no cable network drew more viewers than CNN.
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