What would the late host of American Bandstand think? In a first, Dick Clark Productions has agreed to a deal that allows select iHeartMedia stations to offer an audio simulcast of ABC’s live New Year’s Eve broadcast starring a multimedia entertainer who just happens to be the host of three unique iHeart offerings.
As a result, some 150 iHeartMedia stations won’t be hosting their own local, national or regional radio shows as the clock ticks down to midnight.
Rather, Ryan Seacrest will be heard in an airing of the made-for-television “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024.’
The arrangement means big Top 40 stations including KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and WHTZ “Z100” in New York won’t be airing their own unique programming. In contrast, Z100 on New Year’s Eve in the mid-1980s aired a special broadcast sponsored by a record label.
For those tuned to the iHeart stations, the live simulcast begins on December 31 at 8pm Eastern.
This marks Seacrest’s 19th year as the host of the program introduced to audiences by Dick Clark in 1971 as an alternative to Guy Lombardo, the Canadian bandleader associated with parents and grandparents of the Baby Boomer generation.
“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024” is produced by Dick Clark Productions with Seacrest, Michael Dempsey and Barry Adelman serving as executive producers.
