What is the name of the annual New Year's Eve television special that premiered in the United States in 1972?

The annual U.S. television special that premiered in 1972 is “Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.”

The program was created as a contemporary alternative to the big-band New Year's broadcasts that dominated American television. Dick Clark hosted the first edition, which aired on December 31, 1972, and the show soon became closely associated with the Times Square countdown.

Its format combines live or recorded musical performances with coverage of the ball drop and celebrations across the country. After Clark's death in 2012, Ryan Seacrest became the principal host, while the program retained Clark's name as part of its title. The broadcast has also used temporary co-hosts and location presenters over time.

The special is sometimes confused with the Times Square ceremony itself. The ceremony is a public event in New York, whereas the television program is a branded broadcast that covers it and adds entertainment segments.