2025 New Year’s Eve TV Guide
While many of us are straight-up dreading what awaits in 2025, the new year is coming, whether we like it or not. Might as well enjoy ourselves before the insanity fully sets in.
To that end, we’ve put together a list of the major television New Year’s Eve programming. Each has its own different vibe, but they all have one thing in common: you WILL feel old as they bring out performer after performer you have probably never heard of.
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Historically the most-watched of the NYE shows, ABC’s version has been hosted by the seemingly omnipresent Ryan Seacrest for the past 20 years. (Side note: with all due respect, I think it’s time to retire the “Dick Clark” from the name of this program; Clark has been dead for more than 12 years now.) This year Seacrest will be joined by co-hosts Rob Gronkowski, Jeannie Mae, and Rita Ora, the latter now in roughly her 20th year of trying to make herself happen.
Music guests this year include Carrie Underwood, who in 2025 will become a judge on American Idol, 20 years after she won the competition herself; country singer Megan Moroney; country singer Blake Shelton; country singer Cody Johnson; and country singer (noticing a trend?) Dasha. But it’s not all country! Also look for current pop star Renee Rapp, jazz/alternative artist Laufey, r’n’b singer Tinashe, rapper T-Pain, soulful singer Teddy Swims, and some great throwback acts like Alanis Morrissette (Jagged Little Pill turns 30 in 2025), Kesha, TLC, Lenny Kravitz, Natasha Bedingfield, Sophie-Ellis Bextor, and the Jonas Brothers. Yes, the Jonas Brothers now constitute a throwback act. Feel old yet?
CBS: New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash (8pm)
Do we need two country-leaning New Year’s Eve broadcasts? Apparently we do, because CBS’s edition focuses squarely on that musical genre. Keith Urban and Entertainment Tonight’s Rachel Smith will handle emcee duties for this mostly musical affair, with 40 acts performing including headliners Jelly Roll and Kane Brown, plus Big & Rich, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Tyler Hubbard, Miranda Lambert, Post Malone, Shaboozey, Brittney Spencer, Chris Stapleton, Zack Top, and Lainey Wilson.
The chaotic pairing of Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen returns for its eighth NYE, and yes, they will be allowed to drink again. CNN knows why we watch. Musical guests for this year’s broadcast include 50 Cent — who is himself turning 50 in 2025 — Sting, Meghan Trainor, Shania Twain, Lil Jon, Mickey Guyton, Patti LaBelle (hopefully with back-up singers located ahead of time), and Diplo. Look for appearances by Roy Wood Jr., Amber Ruffin, and Michael Ian Black from CNN’s satirical Have I Got News For You, as well as comedians Whitney Cummings, and Amy Sedaris, plus generally delightful Sasheer Zamata, Ziwe, and Adam Devine.
NBC: A Toast to 2024! (9pm)/Day Drinking with Seth Meyers New Year’s Eve Special (11:30pm)
NBC isn’t doing a typical ball-drop special. Instead, it will air two New Year’s Eve specials looking back on the best of the past year. First at 9pm, outgoing Today co-host Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager will discuss their favorite moments from 2024 from the Today set. Then at 11:30pm, late-night host Seth Meyers will host a clip special with highlights from his Late Night segment “Day Drinking,” in which he gets buzzed with various celebrities including Rihanna, Post Malone, Will Forte, Kelly Clarkson, Kristen Stewart, Kevin Hart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lizzo (oh, are we doing that again?), and Dua Lipa.
Netflix: New Year’s Eve Countdown Collection
Not a live countdown, these kids-oriented countdowns can be watched at any time, with a wide range of segments based around various characters or themes. Who would blame you for hiding your clocks and lying to your kids so they can experience “New Year’s” a few hours early? Certainly not I.
Nextstar: Coast-to-Coast Countdown to 2025 (8pm)
This syndicated program may or may not be available in your market; it will air on Nextstar affiliates as well as partner stations. This special will lean more toward nostalgic musical acts, including The Jacksons, Foreigner, Sheila E., Rick Springfield, Morris Day, Lisa Lisa, and George Thorogood, plus a 10-minute fireworks show based out of Las Vegas.
How will YOU be ringing in the new year? Leave a comment below!
