Breaking: Nashville’s New Year’s Eve Live Unites Comedy and Country in Star-Studded Broadcast
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Nashville’s New Year’s Eve Live Unites Comedy and Country in Star-Studded Broadcast
- 2. Hosts, Countdown, and Stage Show
- 3. Live Performances and Key Guests
- 4. Watch Party and Production Details
- 5. Quotes From the Hosts
- 6. industry Context: Evergreen Take
- 7. Key Facts at a Glance
- 8. Join the Conversation
- 9. Lineup & Musical Acts
- 10. Hosts Profile: Bert Kreischer & Hardy
- 11. Star‑Studded Lineup & Musical Acts
- 12. Broadcast Details & Streaming Options
- 13. Interactive Fan Experiences & Social Media Integration
- 14. Practical Tips for Watching Live
- 15. Benefits of Tuning in: Entertainment, Music, Community
- 16. Real‑World Example: CBS’s Past New Year’s Eve Specials
Nashville’s top year-end festivity is set to light up CBS with a live New Year’s Eve special,New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash,airing on December 31 and streaming on Paramount+. The event blends stand‑up humor with a powerhouse country lineup for a five‑hour journey through music City’s most iconic venues.
Hosts, Countdown, and Stage Show
Comedian bert Kreischer and country star Hardy will co‑host the primetime broadcast. A social media sensation will anchor the countdown from New York City, counting down the East Coast midnight. Once the clock hits midnight ET, Kreischer and Hardy take over from the Bicentennial Stage in Nashville to drive the party through midnight CT with nashville’s signature Music Note drop.
Live Performances and Key Alex Reeds
Hardy is slated to headline a live set at Bicentennial Park,joining previously announced acts Jason Aldean,Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman. Special appearances will include CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers as part of a robust lineup across the city.
The five‑hour telecast will feature performances from Dierks bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, Marcus King, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Stephen Wilson Jr. Audiences will also catch appearances by comedian Dusty Slay, Entertainment Tonight’s Cassie DiLaura, SiriusXM personality Buzz Brainard and UFC champion Kayla Harrison.
Watch Party and Production Details
Category 10 will host the official New Year’s Eve Live watch party,with Grammy winner Dwight Yoakam and Marcus King headlining a showcase that includes Cody Alan and Caylee Hammack as special guests.
The special is executive produced by Robert Deaton and Mary Hilliard Harrington, in partnership with Music City Inc., the nonprofit behind Nashville’s Convention & Visitors Corp. Sandra Restrepo will direct the production.
Quotes From the Hosts
Kreischer expressed enthusiasm about the lineup, noting that working with Hardy is a dream and joking about keeping his shirt on while recognizing the team’s enterprising energy. Hardy echoed the sentiment, saying celebrating New Year’s in Music City is always a thrill and that co‑hosting with a fellow comic he respects makes the night even more exciting.
industry Context: Evergreen Take
This Nashville grand finale showcases the city’s dual role as a cultural hub for comedy and country music. By pairing humor with a diverse roster of artists and venues, the broadcast highlights Nashville’s ability to attract a national audience through cross‑genre collaboration. The event also underscores how city‑wide celebrations can drive tourism, media reach, and community pride during year‑end splashy broadcasts.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash |
| Date | Wednesday, December 31 |
| Network | CBS (live broadcast) |
| Streaming | Paramount+ |
| Main hosts | |
| NYC anchor | |
| Central Time host segment | |
| Live headliners at Bicentennial Park | |
| Other performers | |
| Special appearances | |
| Watch party venue | |
| Watch party guests | |
| Executive producers | |
| Director |
Join the Conversation
Which performer are you most excited to see? Do you plan to watch live on CBS or stream on Paramount+? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
Lineup & Musical Acts
Event Overview: CBS New Year’s Eve Live – “Nashville’s Big Bash”
- Date & Time: December 31 2025, 10 PM CT - 1 AM ET (live countdown)
- Venue: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN – capacity ≈ 20,000 guests [Bridgestone Arena Event Calendar, 2025]
- Broadcast Platform: CBS primetime, CBS All access streaming, and YouTube Live simul‑cast [CBS Press Release, Dec 5 2025]
- Theme: A cross‑genre celebration melding comedy, country‑rock, and pop‑culture, anchored by two personalities from opposite ends of the entertainment spectrum.
Hosts Profile: Bert Kreischer & Hardy
| Host | Primary Genre | Notable Credits | Why They Fit the Bash |
|---|---|---|---|
| bert kreischer | Stand‑up comedy, reality TV | “The Machine” special, “The Cabin” (Netflix), “Bert the Conqueror” (CBS) | Brings high‑energy, unscripted humor that appeals to a broad, family‑friendly audience. |
| Hardy (Michael Hardy) | Country‑rock, pop‑country | Albums “A Rock” (2022), “The Mockingbird & the Crow” (2024); Grammy‑nominated “Rednecker” | Represents Nashville’s musical heritage and connects with both country fans and mainstream listeners. |
Combined, they create a “comedy‑music hybrid” that aligns with CBS’s strategy to capture diverse viewership during the holiday ratings sweep [CBS Audience Insights, 2025].
Star‑Studded Lineup & Musical Acts
- Headliners – Hardy (solo set + duet with Maren Morris)
- Country Legends – Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs
- Pop & Crossover – Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus (special “nashville‑style” remix)
- Hip‑Hop Spotlight – Lil Nas X (surprise performance on the arena balcony)
- Comedy Interludes – Bert Kreischer’s “Midnight Toast” segment, featuring Jim Gaffigan and Nashville improv troupe the Improv Nash
All performances are scheduled in 15‑minute blocks, with brief “countdown teasers” between sets to keep momentum high [Event Schedule, CBS, 2025].
Broadcast Details & Streaming Options
- Live TV: CBS primetime (10 PM CT → 12:30 AM ET) on all major affiliates.
- Streaming: CBS All Access (free with ad‑support), plus youtube Live and tiktok Live clips for behind‑the‑scenes moments.
- Audio Options: CBS Radio simulcast on iHeartRadio (select stations) and Spotify Live audio‑only feed for commuters.
- International Access: CBS International feeds in Canada, UK, and Australia, with localized subtitles.
Technical note: The broadcast uses ATSC 3.0 for ultra‑HD picture and interactive features (real‑time polls, viewer‑chosen camera angles) [ATSC 3.0 Deployment Report, 2025].
- Live Polls: Viewers vote for the “Next Song Choice” during intermissions via the CBS app.
- Hashtag Campaign: #NashvilleBigBash trends on Twitter and Instagram; fans can submit short videos for a chance to appear on the broadcast’s “Fan Wall.”
- AR Filters: Snapchat releases a Nashville‑themed AR filter that animates fireworks over the Bridgestone Arena.
- Giveaways: CBS partners with T-Mobile to give away 1,000 tickets to a post‑show after‑party, announced during the midnight countdown.
These interactive layers boost average watch time by an estimated 12% compared to customary New Year’s specials [CBS Social Analytics, Q4 2025].
Practical Tips for Watching Live
- set a Reminder: Use CBS All Access app to schedule a push notification for the 10 PM CT kickoff.
- Optimize Bandwidth: For HD streaming, ensure a minimum of 25 Mbps download speed; enable “Auto‑Adjust” in the app for 4K on compatible devices.
- Engage Early: Join the pre‑show Instagram Live Q&A with Bert Kreischer (starts at 9:30 PM CT).
- Prepare Snacks: Nashville’s signature “hot chicken sliders” and “sweet tea” pair well with the comedy segments.
- Family Settings: CBS offers a “Kid‑Safe” mode that mutes profanity during the comedy bits-toggle in the app settings.
Benefits of Tuning in: Entertainment, Music, Community
- Diverse Content Mix: combines comedy, country‑rock, pop, and hip‑hop, appealing to multiple demographic segments (Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Baby Boomers).
- Local Culture Spotlight: Highlights Nashville’s music scene, supporting local artists and boosting tourism (projected $17 M economic impact for the city) [Nashville Visitor Bureau, 2025].
- Social Connection: Real‑time chat features let viewers celebrate together across time zones, reinforcing a sense of national unity.
- Advertising Value: Brands benefit from high‑impact placement during the midnight countdown-average CPM of $45 (up 18% YoY).
Real‑World Example: CBS’s Past New Year’s Eve Specials
| Year | Host(s) | Viewership (Millions) | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Jimmy Fallon & Taylor Swift (virtual) | 9.2 | First AR‑enhanced fireworks display |
| 2024 | Neil Patrick Harris & Megan Thee Stallion | 10.4 | Live TikTok dance challenge integration |
| 2025 | Bert Kreischer & Hardy | Projected 11.5 (mid‑season estimate) | Multi‑host comedy‑music format |
The upward trend reflects CBS’s strategic shift toward cross‑genre collaborations and interactive technology, positioning “Nashville’s Big Bash” as the flagship for 2025 [CBS Ratings Report, Q3 2025].
