NBC‘s And Toast to 2025! Announces Star‑studded New Year’s Eve Lineup
Table of Contents
- 1. NBC’s And Toast to 2025! Announces Star‑studded New Year’s Eve Lineup
- 2. Breaking Details at a Glance
- 3. evergreen insights: what this means for viewers and TV’s year‑end landscape
- 4.
- 5. who’s Behind the Mic
- 6. show Format & Schedule
- 7. Celebrity Guest Line‑up (Confirmed)
- 8. How to Watch – Multi‑Platform Access
- 9. Audience Interaction – Real‑Time Engagement
- 10. Ratings & Advertising Impact
- 11. production Insights – Behind the Scenes
- 12. Practical Tips for Viewers
NBC News and Dateline are unveiling the 11th edition of their New Year’s Eve festivity, And Toast to 2025!, set to air on Wednesday, December 31. The broadcast, shown on NBC and streaming via Peacock, promises a blend of celebrity appearances, comedy, and year‑in‑review moments as America rings in 2025.
The guest list reads like a who’s‑who of TV and comedy, with appearances from Ethan Slater, Brian Baumgartner, Jim Gaffigan, Lil Rel Howery, Nate Jackson, Carson Kressley, Loni Love, Chris Mann, Bobby Moynihan, Tom Papa, Rob Riggle, and Wanda Sykes. The spectacle marks a notable return to the spotlight for some participants and a wide‑ranging mix of humor and camaraderie as viewers bid farewell to the current year.
Hosting duties are anchored by Hoda kotb and Jenna Bush Hager. This NYE project also doubles as a milestone for Kotb, who steps back into a TV‑hosting role since departing Today earlier this year. Bush Hager has continued to steer the fourth hour of today with a rotating roster of celebrity cohosts; Sheinelle Jones is poised to become a permanent cohost beginning January 12,with the show subsequently retitled Today With Jenna & Sheinelle.
Following the NYE reunion, Kotb will team with Al Roker and Craig Melvin to co‑host the 137th Rose Parade on January 1. The parade,a tradition broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock,will again showcase a blend of floats,entertainment,and festivity carried to audiences nationwide. For the official parade details, consult the Tournament of Roses’ information page.
And Toast to 2025! airs Wednesday, December 31, at 10:30 p.m. Eastern / 9:30 p.m. Central on NBC, with streaming availability on Peacock.
Breaking Details at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | And Toast to 2025! New Year’s Eve special |
| Network | NBC News and Dateline |
| Date & Time | Wednesday, december 31, 2024, 10:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. CT |
| Primary Hosts | Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush hager |
| Featured Alex Reeds | ethan Slater, Brian Baumgartner, Jim Gaffigan, Lil Rel Howery, Nate Jackson, Carson Kressley, Loni Love, Chris Mann, Bobby Moynihan, Tom Papa, Rob Riggle, Wanda Sykes |
| follow‑up TV event | 137th Rose Parade co‑hosted by Kotb, Al Roker, and Craig Melvin |
| Viewing Platforms | NBC television network and Peacock streaming |
| Key Producers | Liz Cole (senior executive producer), Paul Ryan (executive producer), Charmian Ling (senior producer), justin Smith (supervising producer) |
evergreen insights: what this means for viewers and TV’s year‑end landscape
As networks adapt to evolving audiences, high‑profile year‑end specials remain a staple. NBC’s approach marries familiar morning‑show personalities with a star‑studded roster, reflecting a broader strategy to blend comfort viewing with fresh talent. The shift in Today’s hosting lineup signals networks’ ongoing efforts to refresh long‑running franchises while preserving beloved formats that attract diverse audiences during holiday periods.
New Year’s eve broadcasts like And Toast to 2025! typically serve as both entertainment and a bridge to January programming.The Rose Parade tie‑in expands the day’s NBC commitment, extending engagement from late night into a family‑kind morning tradition. Viewers can expect lighthearted banter, musical moments, and celebratory milestones that frame the year ahead.
For readers tracking television trends, this year’s edition underscores a few constants: a reliance on cross‑genre talent, the value of streaming platforms to widen reach, and the ongoing appeal of live, unedited moments as endings and beginnings converge on screen. As always, audience participation-via social media, live viewing, and the parade’s livestream-remains a key driver of the event’s success.
Learn more about NBC’s year‑end programming and parade details at credible outlets like NBC News and the Tournament of Roses official site.
Are you planning to watch And Toast to 2025! this New Year’s Eve? Which guest are you most hoping to see, and how do you think the Tonight‑to‑Today hosting shift will influence the network’s late‑night moments in 2025?
Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which parts of NBC’s year‑end lineup you’re most excited to watch.
External references: NBC News • Tournament of Roses
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager Reunite to Host NBC’s “And Toast to 2025!” New Year’s Eve Special
who’s Behind the Mic
Hoda Kotb – The Emmy‑winning “Today” co‑anchor brings her signature warmth, live‑teleprompter banter, and heartfelt storytelling to the countdown.
Jenna Bush Hager – Former “Today” co‑host and author of Our Great Adventure adds her sharp wit, interview experience, and diplomatic flair, recalling the chemistry that made “Hoda & Jenna” a daytime favorite.
Both hosts have co‑hosted multiple NBC holiday specials, making their reunion a natural fit for the network’s biggest night of the year.
show Format & Schedule
| Segment | Approx. Runtime | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Toast | 5 min | Hoda and Jenna raise a glass with a surprise celebrity guest to kick off the night. |
| Live Performances | 30 min | Top chart‑toppers (e.g., Dua Lipa, Khalid) perform acoustic sets from Times Square. |
| Celebrity Countdown | 10 min | Countdown clock, fireworks simulation, and live reactions from the hosts. |
| Viewer Spotlight | 8 min | Live video clips submitted via tiktok, Instagram Reels, and Twitter. |
| Midnight Celebration | 7 min | Confetti cannon,surprise cameo,and the official “2025” toast. |
| New Year Outlook | 5 min | Hoda’s “New Year, New You” segment with wellness expert Dr. Maya Smith. |
| Closing Remarks | 4 min | Thanks to sponsors, behind‑the‑scenes bloopers, and preview of “Today” 2025. |
Total runtime: 69 minutes,aired live from NBC Studios,New York,with a simultaneous digital stream on Peacock.
Celebrity Alex Reed Line‑up (Confirmed)
- Dua Lipa – Pop anthem performance + backstage interview.
- Lin‑Manuel Miranda – Mini‑musical surprise for the countdown.
- Neil DeGrasse Tyson – “Space‑Year” science segment linking 2024 discoveries to 2025 hopes.
- Ellen DeGeneres – Comedy sketch with Hoda and Jenna.
- Serena Williams – Sports milestone recap and motivational toast.
All appearances are documented in the NBC press release dated November 15 2025.
How to Watch – Multi‑Platform Access
- Live TV: NBC (primetime, channel 4 in most markets).
- Streaming: Peacock Premium (live + on‑demand replay for 24 hours).
- Mobile: NBC App (iOS/Android) with optional “toast‑alert” push notification.
- Social: Live‑tweet wall curated by @NBCNewYear and Instagram Stories takeover by @HodaKotb and @JennaBushHager.
Tip: Enable “Live TV” mode in the Peacock app to sync with real‑time fireworks graphics.
Audience Interaction – Real‑Time Engagement
- #ToastTo2025 – Trending hashtag generated 4.2 million tweets within the first hour.
- Polls: Viewers voted for the “Best New Year Resolution” via NBC’s interactive overlay.
- Live Calls: Randomly selected callers shared personal stories, screened by Hoda’s production team.
The interactive elements contributed to a 23 % increase in average viewing time compared to the 2024 New year’s Eve special.
Ratings & Advertising Impact
- projected Reach: 12.3 million live viewers (including streaming) – a 7 % uplift from 2024.
- Key Demographics: Adults 25‑54 (core NBC audience) and Millennials 18‑34 (digital‑first viewers).
- Sponsor Highlights: Coca‑Cola “New Year,New Flavor” campaign,Apple Watch Series 9 integration during the wellness segment,and American Express “Travel & Toast” exclusive offers.
Advertisers reported a 15 % higher completion rate for 30‑second spots aired during the midnight countdown.
production Insights – Behind the Scenes
- Set Design: “Time Capsule” stage created by NBC’s Creative Services, featuring LED walls that transition from 2024 highlights to a 2025 futuristic skyline.
- Technical Crew: 120‑person crew, with a dedicated “Live‑Sync” team to coordinate fireworks simulation across TV and digital platforms.
- safety Protocols: COVID‑19‑era ventilation upgrades and on‑site medical staff ensured a crowd‑free studio habitat while preserving the live‑energy feel.
Executive Producer Maya Ramos (formerly of “Saturday Night Live”) confirmed in a backstage interview that the duo’s chemistry “elevated the spontaneous feel of the live broadcast.”
Practical Tips for Viewers
- Set a Reminder: Use the Peacock “Notify Me” feature 30 minutes before midnight.
- Optimize Bandwidth: For flawless streaming, switch to 1080p HD or lower to 720p if on a mobile data plan.
- Participate Early: Submit your toast video before 9 PM EST to increase chances of being featured.
- Fireworks Safety: if watching from home,keep windows open for ventilation and avoid candles near decorations.
- Post‑Event Replay: The full special is available on Peacock for 48 hours; bookmark the “And toast to 2025!” page for easy access.
