<P> Beginning in the 1940s, NBC broadcast coverage from Times Square anchored by Ben Grauer on both radio and television . Its coverage was later incorporated into special episodes of The Tonight Show, continuing through Johnny Carson and Jay Leno's tenures on the program . NBC would introduce a dedicated special, New Year's Eve with Carson Daly, beginning in 2003 . </P> <P> From 1956 to 1976, CBS was well known for its television coverage of the festivities hosted by bandleader Guy Lombardo from the ballroom of the Waldorf - Astoria Hotel in New York City, featuring his band's famous rendition of "Auld Lang Syne" at midnight . After Lombardo's death in 1977, CBS and the Royal Canadians, now led by Victor Lombardo, attempted to continue the special . However, Guy's absence and the growing popularity of ABC's New Year's Rockin' Eve prompted CBS to eventually drop the band entirely . The Royal Canadians were replaced by a new special, Happy New Year, America, which ran in various formats with different hosts (such as Paul Anka, Donny Osmond, Andy Williams, Paul Shaffer, and Montel Williams) until it was discontinued after 1996 . CBS, barring a special America's Millennium broadcast for 2000, has no longer broadcast any national New Year's programming since . </P> <P> For 2000, in lieu of New Year's Rockin' Eve, ABC News covered the festivities as part of its day - long telecast, ABC 2000 Today . Hosted by Peter Jennings, the broadcast featured coverage of millennium festivities from around the world, including those in New York City . Jennings was joined by Dick Clark as a special correspondent for coverage from Times Square . </P> <P> MTV had broadcast coverage originating from the network's Times Square studios at One Astor Plaza . For 2011, MTV also held its own ball drop in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, the setting of its popular reality series Jersey Shore, featuring cast member Snooki lowered inside a giant "hamster ball". Originally, MTV planned to hold the drop within its studio in Times Square, but the network was asked by city officials to conduct the drop elsewhere . </P>

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