RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH "NEW YEAR'S EVE LIVE: NASHVILLE'S BIG BASH" WHEN THE STAR-STUDDED ENTERTAINMENT SPECIAL RETURNS TO CBS ON SUNDAY, DEC. 31!

The Five-Hour Celebration Featuring Live, High-Energy Performances from Country Music's Hottest Superstars Returns to CBS in a Multi-Year Deal for 2023 and 2024

First Performers Announced to Appear Live from Downtown Nashville Include Thomas Rhett, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Lainey Wilson

Ring in the new year with country music's hottest superstars when CBS presents NEW YEAR'S EVE LIVE: NASHVILLE'S BIG BASH, Sunday, Dec. 31 (7:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT, 10:30 PM-1:05 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs)*. The five-hour celebration featuring live, high-energy performances from country music's hottest superstars returns to CBS in a multi-year deal for 2023 and 2024.

The first performers announced to appear live from downtown Nashville to ring in 2024 include Thomas Rhett, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Lainey Wilson.

"Building on what we have established over the last two years by focusing on our artists, the fans and the vibrancy of downtown Nashville, this year's lineup is shaping up to be our most exciting yet. We will celebrate 50 years of the iconic southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, the skyrocketing Lainey Wilson and country music superstar Thomas Rhett, with over a dozen artists and special guests still to be announced," said executive producer Robert Deaton. "Nashville is quickly becoming THE destination for New Year's Eve, and we are honored that CBS wants to help us continue to show off our music and incredible city with a new multi-year deal!"

Music City has built an outstanding reputation for hosting the most musical New Year's celebration and country's biggest party. The annual event features nearly 50 performances from locations across the city, including the mainstage in Nashville's Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. The broadcast will cross multiple time zones, with the traditional countdown at midnight ET, culminating with the renowned Nashville music note drop and fireworks at midnight CT. Past performers include Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert, among others.

Additional information about this year's lineup of star-studded performers and hosts will be announced at a later date.

NEW YEAR'S EVE LIVE: NASHVILLE'S BIG BASH is executive produced by Robert Deaton and Mary Hilliard Harrington in partnership with the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. The special will be directed by Sandra Restrepo.

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RATING: To Be Announced

*Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.