Which U.S. television special, first broadcast in 1972, is associated with Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve countdown?

The U.S. television special first broadcast in 1972 and associated with Dick Clark's countdown is “New Year's Rockin' Eve.”

The program 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 Guy Lombardo's long-running New Year's television broadcasts, which had presented big-band music for many years.

The show later became closely identified with Clark and with the live Times Square ball drop. Its official title has changed over time, eventually incorporating Dick Clark's name and, later, Ryan Seacrest's. Clark continued to appear despite health problems until his death in 2012.

The program has included performances from major recording artists and countdown coverage from locations beyond New York. “New Year's Rockin' Eve” is therefore the specific special, not a generic description of any televised New Year's countdown.