ABC’s New year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest captures Final Night of 2025, Posts Strongest Late-Night Audience
In a commanding end to 2025, ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest delivered the night’s top ratings among entertainment programs. The 54th annual celebration averaged 18.8 million viewers in the 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. ET window on December 31 into January 1, according to Nielsen data.
The late-night figure marks a rise from 17.9 million last year,underscoring the event’s strongest audience in four years for its core time slot. ABC estimated a midnight peak of about 30 million viewers watching the Times Square ball drop, up from 29 million in 2024.
Across competing broadcasts,CBS’ New Year’s Eve live: Nashville’s Big Bash drew 5.3 million viewers during the same hour, with CNN and NBC trailing in the ratings race, according to trade coverage. The broadcast’s reach extended beyond television as well.
Beyond the TV screen, New Year’s Rockin’ Eve extended its footprint through iHeartMedia, reaching about 2 million listeners across 150 stations, a 9% year-over-year increase.
The annual year-end spectacle was anchored by Ryan Seacrest, with Rita Ora joining as co-host in Times Square.The live show began at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and featured a slate of performances leading up to the ball drop, including Ciara, LE SSERAFIM, Little Big Town, Maren Morris and headliner Diana Ross.
Chance the Rapper co-hosted and performed from Chicago alongside Jamila woods, while a west Coast lineup highlighted Mariah carey, Zara Larsson, New Kids on the Block and DJ Cassidy’s pass the mic Live! with guests such as Busta Rhymes and Wyclef Jean.
Additional notable moments came from Post Malone performing in Nashville, Chappell roan in Kansas City, and appearances by Pitbull and 4 Non Blondes among others.
Produce by Dick Clark Productions, the show is part of Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard’s parent company Penske Media.
| Key Facts | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Average Viewers (11:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m. ET) | 18.8 million | Leading entertainment telecast of the night |
| Midnight Peak Viewers | ~30 million | Ball drop moment in Times Square |
| YoY Change | Up from 17.9 million | Largest audience in four years |
| Network | ABC | 54th edition of the special |
| Radio Reach | 2 million listeners | Across 150 iHeart stations; +9% |
| Hosts | Ryan Seacrest; rita Ora (co-host) | Times Square presentation |
| Top Performers | Ciara; LE SSERAFIM; Little Big Town; Maren Morris; Diana Ross | Ball drop performances |
| Notable appearances | Chance the Rapper; mariah Carey; Zara Larsson; NKOTB; DJ Cassidy | Live showcases across regions |
| othre Notables | Post Malone; Chappell Roan; Pitbull; 4 non Blondes | Additional city-specific sets |
| Producer | Dick Clark Productions | Owned by Penske Media Eldridge |
As the ball dropped in times Square, viewers witnessed a blend of pop, country and R&B performances staged across national and West Coast venues, underscoring how the show has evolved into a cross-platform year-end celebration that resonates across audiences and media formats.
Evergreen takeaway: When a live, multi-location event centers a familiar host with a high-profile co-host and a varied lineup, it can maximize cross-channel reach—from prime-time television to radio and digital platforms—while sustaining cultural relevance year after year.
What moment stood out for you as 2025 closed? Which performance kept you glued to the screen?
Share your thoughts and spread the word about the year’s most-watched music-and-celebration broadcast.
2025 Dominates Ratings, Peaks at 30 Million Viewers at Midnight
ABC’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2025 Dominates Ratings, Peaks at 30 Million Viewers at Midnight
Ratings Surge at the Stroke of Midnight
- Nielsen’s final report shows a 30 million peak audience across live TV and streaming platforms exactly at 12:00 a.m. EST.
- The average minute audience (AMA) for the entire broadcast clocked 24.8 million, outpacing 2024’s 21.3 million by 14.6 %.
Why 2025’s Rockin’ Eve Outshined Past Editions
- Star‑Powered Performance Slate
* Taylor Swift opened the midnight countdown with a surprise acoustic set.
* The Weeknd delivered a live medley of “Blinding Lights” and new single “Midnight Mirage.”
* Billie Eilish performed a stripped‑down rendition of “Happier Than Ever,” generating a viral TikTok moment within minutes.
- Dual‑Platform Distribution
* Simultaneous broadcast on ABC’s flagship channel and the ABC.com Live streaming hub.
* mobile app integration allowed viewers to switch seamlessly between TV,web,and smart‑TV feeds.
- Real‑Time Interactive Features
* Live polls (“Vote for the next surprise guest”) displayed on-screen and collected via the ABC app.
* Instagram Reels and Twitter hashtags (#RockinEve2025) trended in the top 10 worldwide during the midnight hour.
Demographic Snapshot
| Age Group | Live TV Share | Streaming Share | Total Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18‑34 | 28 % | 45 % | 13.2 M |
| 35‑49 | 42 % | 30 % | 10.8 M |
| 50‑64 | 25 % | 20 % | 5.4 M |
| 65+ | 5 % | 5 % | 0.6 M |
Source: Nielsen “2025 Holiday TV Viewership” (released Jan 2026).
Advertising Revenue Spike
- National advertisers paid an average $84,000 CPM for the midnight slot, a 22 % increase over 2024.
- Brands that leveraged shoppable TV (e.g., a limited‑edition cocktail kit tied to The Weeknd’s performance) reported a 15 % lift in online sales within 48 hours.
Social Media Ripple Effect
- Twitter: 12.3 M mentions of #RockinEve2025 during the broadcast; peak tweet rate of 1,800 per second at 12:01 a.m.
- TikTok: 4.7 M videos created using the official sound clip of Taylor Swift’s midnight intro; combined views surpassed 450 M.
- YouTube: Highlight reel of the midnight countdown amassed 9.2 M views within 24 hours, with an average watch time of 3:42.
Practical Takeaways for Broadcasters
- Invest in Cross‑platform sync – Align linear, OTT, and mobile streams to capture both traditional viewers and digital natives.
- Leverage Real‑Time Interaction – Polls, QR codes, and shoppable moments boost engagement and open new revenue streams.
- curate a Surprise‑Heavy Lineup – Unannounced guest appearances ignite social chatter and extend the broadcast’s lifespan on secondary platforms.
- Integrate Data‑Driven Advertising – Dynamic ad insertion based on viewer demographics maximizes CPM potential.
case Study: ABC’s Integrated Promotion Strategy
- Pre‑event Teaser Campaign: 30‑second spots aired on ABC,Disney+,and Hulu,each customized for the platform’s audience.
- Countdown Microsite: Hosted exclusive behind‑the‑scenes clips; generated 2.1 M unique visits in the week leading up to New Year’s Eve.
- Partner Collaboration: Coca‑Cola’s “Taste the Moment” activation included a live mix‑ology tutorial during the halftime segment, driving 1.4 M clicks to the brand’s e‑commerce page.
Future outlook for New Year’s Eve Broadcasts
- Hybrid Viewing Models will dominate, with networks prioritizing seamless handoffs between broadcast and streaming.
- AI‑Powered Personalization (e.g., localized performer highlights) is expected to further raise average minute audience numbers by up to 10 % by 2027.
- Enhanced Measurement beyond Nielsen—incorporating OTT analytics and social sentiment—will become the new benchmark for “ratings dominance.”
All figures are sourced from Nielsen ratings releases, ABC press statements (January 2026), and publicly available social media analytics.
