<P> As a public event , the festivities and ball drop are broadcast as part of New Year 's Eve television specials originating from Times Square on several major U.S. television networks and cable channels . By far the most notable of these is Dick Clark 's New Year 's Rockin ' Eve ; created , produced , and originally hosted by the entertainer Dick Clark until his death in 2012 , and currently hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Jenny McCarthy , the program first aired on NBC in 1972 before moving to ABC , where it has been broadcast ever since . New Year 's Rockin ' Eve has consistently been the most - watched New Year 's Eve special in the U.S. annually , peaking at 22.6 million viewers for its 40th edition in 2012 . Following the death of Dick Clark in April 2012 , a crystal engraved with his name was added to the 2013 ball in tribute . </P>
<P> As a public event , the festivities and ball drop are broadcast as part of New Year 's Eve television specials originating from Times Square on several major U.S. television networks and cable channels . By far the most notable of these is Dick Clark 's New Year 's Rockin ' Eve ; created , produced , and originally hosted by the entertainer Dick Clark until his death in 2012 , and currently hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Jenny McCarthy , the program first aired on NBC in 1972 before moving to ABC , where it has been broadcast ever since . New Year 's Rockin ' Eve has consistently been the most - watched New Year 's Eve special in the U.S. annually , peaking at 22.6 million viewers for its 40th edition in 2012 . Following the death of Dick Clark in April 2012 , a crystal engraved with his name was added to the 2013 ball in tribute . </P>
who hosts the ball drop in times square
who hosts the ball drop in times square
Ryan Seacrest and Jenny McCarthy
Ryan Seacrest and Jenny McCarthy