'DICK CLARK'S NEW YEAR'S ROCKIN' EVE WITH RYAN SEACREST 2018'

SHOW HOST RYAN SEACREST AND JENNY MCCARTHY RETURN TO LIVE BROADCAST FROM TIMES SQUARE ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, BEGINNING AT 8:00 P.M. EST ON ABC

MULTIPLATINUM MUSIC SUPERSTAR CIARA TO HOST THE WEST COAST CELEBRATION

dick clark productions and ABC today announced that America's favorite TV/radio broadcaster Ryan Seacrest will return to host television's largest live broadcast New Year's celebration, "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018," again joined by actress and comedian Jenny McCarthy. America's largest celebration of the year will take place on SUNDAY, DEC. 31, beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST on The ABC Television Network.

The show also announced that multiplatinum music superstar Ciara will officially ring in the New Year from the west coast as the new host of the Hollywood Party on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018." Ciara returns to the New Year's Eve celebration for the first time since 2005 where she performed her debut single, "Goodies," from her studio album of the same name, as well as her Billboard Hot 100 hit track "1, 2 Step."

"When I performed on this show back in 2005 I was so young and it was so special and exciting to be part of such an iconic show," said Ciara. "Over 10 years later, it's a really great feeling to say I've had the opportunity to host and perform on the show and I can't wait to ring in the New Year with the world."

"We are excited to have Ryan and Jenny back in Times Square and are thrilled to welcome Ciara to the New Year's Rockin' Eve family as our west coast host!" said Mark Bracco, co-executive producer and executive vice president of Programming & Development at dick clark productions. "An American tradition for 46 years, we look forward to an incredible night of entertainment, musical performances and New Year's Rockin' Eve celebrations that will unite the country from coast to coast."

"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Even with Ryan Seacrest 2018" marks the 46th anniversary of America's largest celebration of the year and will include 5� hours of special performances and reports on New Year's celebrations from around the globe. Ryan Seacrest will host the primetime festivities and lead the traditional countdown to midnight from Times Square in New York City, as he has for the last 12 years, with live onsite reporting from actress and comedian Jenny McCarthy.

Ryan Seacrest is host and executive producer of ABC's annual New Year's Eve program, "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest." Seacrest is an award-winning creative entrepreneur and holds preeminent positions as a host and producer in nationally syndicated and local radio and in broadcast and cable television. His entrepreneurial interests have led to his involvement in a diverse range of media and entertainment companies, while his philanthropic efforts - focused on youth-oriented initiatives - are having a significant impact nationwide. On radio, he is host of "On Air with Ryan Seacrest," his market-topping No. 1 nationally syndicated LA morning drive-time show for iHeartMedia's 102.7 KIIS-FM, as well as a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show. Seacrest is co-host and executive producer on the top Disney|ABC syndicated morning talk show, "Live with Kelly and Ryan." He will host the iconic music competition series "American Idol" as it returns to television for its first season on ABC this spring. He is also host and executive producer of the top awards show franchise "E! Live from the Red Carpet." Seacrest helms Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP) an Emmy(R)-winning entertainment production company. RSP produces the E! hit cable series "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and its spinoffs, as well as "E! Live from the Red Carpet," Bravo's "Shahs of Sunset," CMT's "I Love Kellie Pickler," and YouTube's "Best.Cover.Ever." Additionally, RSP produces "Shades of Blue," an NBC drama series starring Jennifer Lopez, and "Insatiable" for Netflix. The company produced the Emmy Award-winning reality series "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution." He also has a burgeoning lifestyle enterprise, which includes a menswear collection, Ryan Seacrest Distinction, sold exclusively at Macy's, and a men's skincare line, Polished by Dr. Lancer, in partnership with famed global dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer. He also has long-standing endorsement relationships with blue-chip brands including Coca-Cola and Ford. His philanthropic efforts include serving as chairman of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF), which has opened ten broadcast media centers - Seacrest Studios - in pediatric hospitals in cities across the country. He also serves on the board of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and as honorary chair of the Grammy Foundation.

Jenny McCarthy is an actress, comedian, host and New York Times best-selling author, known for her unique combination of intelligence, outrageousness, unpredictability and humor. This November, Jenny launched her signature mixed vodka cocktail, "Blondies" nationwide. The delicious adult beverage is Jenny's personal creation and favorite go-to cocktail combination. Jenny continues to be a regular on the airwaves with "The Jenny McCarthy Show," her sensational daily live morning radio show on SiriusXM, discussing relationships, pop culture and current events. As part of her SiriusXM show, Jenny also hosts her town hall series, "Jenny McCarthy's Inner Circle." Jenny and her guests are joined by a community of listeners for a more in-depth conversation where they are able speak candidly with a personal touch, and Jenny's signature brand of wit and humor.

Ciara is a Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, producer, model and actress. Over her thirteen-year career, she has sold over 23 million records and 16 million singles worldwide, including the Hot 100 No. 1 "Goodies," the top five hits "Oh" and "1, 2 Step," plus "Ride," "Body Party," "I Bet" and more. Known for her incredible visuals and stellar dance abilities, Ciara's videos have been viewed over 1.4 billion times accurately earning her the moniker of "Queen of Dance." Ciara continues to captivate with her social media prowess reaching over 50 million fans across her platforms and channels. In addition to being known for her vocal and dance talent, Ciara is signed with IMG Models and was previously named "new fashion icon" by Vogue. As longtime muse for several high-fashion designers, Ciara has also been the face of various campaigns and has graced the covers of numerous fashion and lifestyle magazines. Most recently, she became Global Brand Ambassador for Revlon. Ciara is not only a devoted wife and mother of two, but she is a philanthropist who is dedicated to improving the lives of children and empowering women across the globe.

"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin'?Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018" is produced by dick clark productions with Ryan Seacrest, Allen Shapiro and Mike Mahan serving as executive producers and Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco as co-executive producers. Larry Klein is producer.

The complete lineup airing?Sunday, Dec. 31, on ABC is:

08:00-10:00 p.m. EST - "Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018 - Part 1"

10:00-11:00 p.m. EST - "Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018 - Part 2"

11:30 p.m.-1:09 a.m. EST - "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018 - Part 1"

1:09-2:13 a.m. EST - "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018 - Part 2"

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About dick clark productions

dick clark productions (dcp) is the world's largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the "Academy of Country Music Awards," "American Music Awards," "Billboard Music Awards," "Golden Globe Awards," "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest," "Hollywood Film Awards" and the "Streamy Awards." Weekly television programming includes "So You Think You Can Dance" from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world's most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with over 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.

About ABC Entertainment

ABC Entertainment airs compelling programming across all day parts, with new shows including fall's No. 1 new drama, "The Good Doctor"; as well as "Kevin (Probably) Saves the World" and "The Mayor"; and current hits such as groundbreaking dramas "Designated Survivor," "Quantico," "Scandal" "How to Get Away with Murder," "Grey's Anatomy," "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." and "Once Upon a Time." The ABC Television Network is also home to the Emmy(R) Award-winning "Modern Family" and trailblazing comedy favorites "black-ish," "American Housewife," "Fresh Off the Boat," "The Goldbergs," "The Middle" and "Speechless"; hit game shows "$100,000 Pyramid," "Celebrity Family Feud," "Match Game" and "To Tell the Truth"; reality phenomenon "Shark Tank," iconic "The Bachelor" franchise, long-running hits "Dancing with the Stars" and "America's Funniest Home Videos," and the return of "American Idol"; "General Hospital," which has aired for over 50 years on the network, along with daytime talk show "The Chew"; and late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" The network also boasts some of television's most prestigious awards shows, including "The Oscars(R)," "The CMA Awards" and "The American Music Awards."