The countdown to midnight on December 31st drew in a record-breaking audience of 32 million viewers across ABC, CBS, and CNN. According to Nielsen Media Research, Ryan Seacrest’s hosting stint on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest” broke the network’s most-watched segment, with an average of 17.9 million viewers tuning in for its late-night broadcast.
The special’s early primetime segment averaged 6.2 million viewers and improved to 9.5 million during the 10:30-11:30 p.m. window. In comparison, CBS’ “New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash” averaged lower numbers, with 4.9 million viewers from 8-10 p.m. and 6.9 million in the 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. window.
Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen led CNN’s live programming, attracting an average of 3.7 million viewers during the final hour and 1.9 million over the full night. The show also saw its Max streaming option reach its fourth-best day on record.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/new-years-eve-tv-ratings-abc-cnn-cbs-1236098077