(PLEASE NOTE: For more details on the New Year’s Eve choices, check the overview under Stories.)
1) “New Year’s Rockin’ Ev e,” 8-10 p.m., 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m., ABC. Some 53 years after Dick Clark created it, this is longer than ever. It leaps between Times Square (shown here) — with Ryan Seacrest hosting and Diana Ross performs live — and beyond: Roselyn Sanchez in Puerto Rico (music by Daddy Yankee), Chance the Rapper in Chicago and a pre-taped Las Vegas concert that has approximately everyone.
2) “Nashville’s Big Bash,” 8-10 p.m., 10:30 to 1:30 a.m. Lots of country stars perform, including Hardy (who co-hosts), Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Gretchen Wilson, Dwight Yoakam, Rascal Flatts and Brooks & Dunn. Also, gospel star CeCe Winans performs with the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
3) “Toast of 2025,” 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., NBC. After scuttling plans for a bigger bash, NBC settles for this look back at the year. Jenna Bush and Hoda Kotb host, with lots of NBC news people and interviews promoting NBC and Peacock shows. Also, there will be comedians — Loni Love, Jim Gaffigan, Tom Papa, Wanda Syke and more.
4) CNN marathon. Things start at 7 a.m. ET and sprawl around the globe. Daytime music includes Hugh Jackman, Flo Rida, Aly & AJ and more. At night (8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.), Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen host, with music from Brandi Carlile, Aloe Blacc, Shakira, etc. And at 12:30 a.m., this goes to Austin, Texas, with music by Vince Gill.
5) ALSO: Three good reruns, each 8-10 p.m., are stuffed with music. There’s a boy-band documentary on CW and songs from “Wicked” on NBC. PBS has a Rodgers & Hammerstein night, with great moments from stars in London (especially Marsha Wallace and Michael Ball) and Broadway (Audra McDonald, Aaron Tveit); a Joni Mitchell tribute follows at 10.
— Mike Hughes, TV