ABC and Disney+ to Simulcast 2027 New Year's Special
The annual New Year's Eve broadcast will feature live coverage across multiple cities on December 31.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Television
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Ryan Seacrest will return to host the 2027 New Year's Rockin' Eve special as it airs live on ABC and Disney+ this December 31. The multi-city broadcast will span from 8:00 PM to 4:00 AM, featuring musical performances and celebrations.
Why it matters
The expanded streaming availability on Disney+ allows the production to reach a broader digital audience alongside its traditional broadcast presence. This strategic shift aims to maintain the high engagement levels of the program, which drew 45.8 million total viewers last year.
The 2026 special reached 45.8 million total viewers. The 2027 event will span an eight-hour broadcast window from 8:00 PM to 4:00 AM.
The players
Ryan Seacrest
He is a long-standing television host and media personality who serves as the face of the New Year's broadcast.
Rita Ora
She is a singer and performer who will cohost the New York City segments of the broadcast.
Julianne Hough
She is an accomplished dancer and entertainer who will cohost the program from Las Vegas.
Rob Gronkowski
He is a retired professional football player and television personality who will cohost the Las Vegas festivities.
Druski
He is a comedian and internet personality who will serve as the host for the Chicago location.
The details
The special will utilize multiple host locations, with Rita Ora reporting from New York, Julianne Hough and Rob Gronkowski in Las Vegas, and Druski in Chicago. The production promises a series of superstar performances to mark the transition into the new year.
Timeline
The program airs on December 31.
The broadcast runs from 8:00 PM to 4:00 AM.
Ryan Seacrest began cohosting the program in 2005.
Ryan Seacrest became the sole host in 2012.
Industry Dynamics
This production follows the pattern established by the 2026 New Year's Rockin' Eve broadcast. The transition to a simultaneous streaming model reflects a broader shift in the entertainment industry toward hybrid distribution strategies to capture fragmented audiences.
Viewers can now choose between traditional broadcast television or the Disney+ streaming platform to watch the countdown and performances. This access provides flexibility for those without cable subscriptions to participate in the live event.
The takeaway
The move to simulcast on Disney+ highlights the increasing importance of streaming accessibility for live event programming. Planning to watch the event now involves selecting your preferred viewing platform ahead of the December 31 broadcast window.
Further reading
For more on the current state of national programming, visit the Television section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TV Insider.
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