Press release from ABC, Dec. 5, 2016:

“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2017” marks the continued expansion of the iconic annual New Year’s Eve tradition with coverage from New Orleans, Louisiana, in its first-ever Central Time Zone countdown. The live segments will include exclusive performances from the Allstate(R) Fan Fest, where New Orleans locals and tourists gather annually to celebrate the New Year and usher in the annual Allstate(R) Sugar Bowl(R), and interviews leading up to the midnight countdown and stunning fleur-de-lis drop near Jackson Square to ring in the New Year. Ryan Seacrest will lead the traditional countdown to midnight live from New York City, with actress and comedian Jenny McCarthy in Times Square, and superstar Fergie returning to host the Billboard Hollywood Party in Los Angeles. New Orleans joins the largest celebration of the year, airing on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST, on the ABC Television Network.

“Known for its vibrant culture and deep musical roots, New Orleans is the ideal choice to host our first-ever Central Time Zone countdown,” said Mike Mahan, president, dick clark productions. “We are excited to expand our tradition of ringing in the New Year to the ‘Big Easy.'”

“We are thrilled to kick off 2017 by showcasing our amazing culture to the rest of the world as we broadcast the Central Time Zone New Year’s Eve celebrations happening in New Orleans and around the state of Louisiana,” said Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “This past year was challenging for our wonderful state, but we remain a world class destination ready to celebrate a New Year and welcome visitors from around the globe! We look forward to opening our doors to the world!”

“New Orleans is a great match for ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest’,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “We know how to celebrate, and we offer the world one of the most authentic cultural experiences anywhere! We are proud to help our country bring in the New Year.”

This year marks the 45th anniversary of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2017” and will feature 5+ hours of special performances and reports on New Year’s celebrations from around the globe, with performance acts in New York, New Orleans and Los Angeles. As previously announced, Mariah Carey, DNCE, Thomas Rhett and Gloria Estefan with the cast of her Broadway musical ON YOUR FEET! will perform for over one million fans live in Times Square with millions more on TV. The Billboard Hollywood Party will be hosted by Fergie with additional performers to be announced soon.

The Allstate(R) Fan Fest will serve as the backdrop for “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2017” in New Orleans. For the past eleven years, Allstate has taken over New Orleans before the Allstate(R) Sugar Bowl(R) by hosting family-friendly games and activities, pep rallies and musical performances.

“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2017” 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 addition of the Central Time Zone celebration in New Orleans is made possible through collaborations between the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Allstate(R) Sugar Bowl(R) and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.

The complete lineup Saturday night, December 31, on ABC is:

8:00-10:00 p.m. EST – “DICK CLARK’S PRIMETIME NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE WITH RYAN SEACREST 2017 – Part 1”

10:00-11:00 p.m. EST – “DICK CLARK’S PRIMETIME NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE WITH RYAN SEACREST 2017 – Part 2”

11:30 p.m.-1:09 a.m. EST – “DICK CLARK’S NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE WITH RYAN SEACREST 2017 – Part 1”

1:09-2:13 a.m. EST – “DICK CLARK’S NEW YEAR’S ROCKIN’ EVE WITH RYAN SEACREST 2017 – Part 2”