What is the name of the annual U.S. television special that begins with Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve?

The annual U.S. television special is called Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

The programme began as Three Dog Night’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in 1972, with Dick Clark serving as host. It was created as a pop-music alternative to the more formal holiday broadcasts that dominated American television at the time. The show’s Times Square coverage made the ball drop a central part of its national television identity.

The title later changed to reflect Clark’s role more directly. After Clark suffered a stroke in 2004, Ryan Seacrest became the main on-camera co-host and later host, while Clark continued appearing when his health allowed. Clark died in 2012, and the programme retained his name as part of its established title.

The special has featured live performances, celebrity presenters, regional celebrations, and the midnight countdown. It is produced for ABC and is distinct from other American New Year broadcasts, including NBC’s New Year’s Eve programming and CNN’s coverage from Times Square.