<P> Its creator and namesake was the entertainer Dick Clark, who conceived New Year's Rockin' Eve as a younger - skewing competitor to Guy Lombardo's popular and long - running New Year's Eve big band broadcasts on CBS . The first two editions, which were hosted by Three Dog Night and George Carlin, respectively, and featured Dick Clark assuming the role of Times Square reporter, were broadcast by NBC for 1973 and 1974, respectively . In 1974--75, the program moved to its current home of ABC, and Clark assumed the role of host . </P> <P> Following the death of Guy Lombardo and the decline of the Royal Canadians' special, New Year's Rockin' Eve grew in popularity, and became ingrained in pop culture--even prompting Clark himself to make appearances on other programs in parody of his role . To this day, New Year's Rockin' Eve has consistently remained the highest - rated New Year's Eve special broadcast by the United States' major television networks; its 2012 edition peaked at 22.6 million home viewers--not including viewers watching from public locations, which were historically not measured by Nielsen . Dick Clark hosted New Year's Rockin' Eve annually from 1973 through 2004, and served as a Times Square correspondent alongside Peter Jennings for ABC News's special coverage of year 2000 celebrations . </P> <P> The complications of a stroke suffered by Clark in December 2004 had a major effect on his role in the special . After having Regis Philbin serve as a guest host for 2005, Clark returned to the special for the 2006 edition: due to speech impediments resulting from his stroke, Clark ceded hosting duties to Ryan Seacrest, but still made limited appearances . The death of Dick Clark on April 18, 2012 left Ryan Seacrest as the sole host of New Year's Rockin' Eve beginning with its 2012--13 edition . Seacrest has most recently been joined by Jenny McCarthy as a correspondent from Times Square, with Ciara serving as the presenter of the Hollywood concert segments . Through its deal with Dick Clark Productions, New Year's Rockin' Eve will remain on ABC through at least 2024 . </P> <P> New Year's Rockin' Eve is primarily broadcast from Times Square in New York City, providing coverage of the New Year's Eve festivities held there, culminating with the long - running ball drop leading to midnight and the New Year . The special also features pre-recorded segments featuring performances by popular musicians; since the 2017--18 edition, these concert segments (branded since the 2014 - 15 edition as the "Billboard Hollywood Party") have been presented from a studio in Los Angeles by Ciara . Since the 2016--17 edition, Lucy Hale has hosted additional coverage and performances from New Orleans . </P>

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