Elle King and Entertainment Tonight‘s Rachel Smith will reunite to help Nashville ring in the new year, as they co-host CBS Presents New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash.
The celebration will air live from Nashville on Sunday, Dec. 31, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. ET/PT and 10:30 p.m.-1:05 a.m. ET/PT via CBS Television Network, and will stream on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).
The special will feature nearly 50 performances, including from reigning CMA entertainer of the year Lainey Wilson, as well as Thomas Rhett, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more. The five-hour broadcast will cross multiple time zones, with the traditional countdown at midnight ET, culminating with the Nashville music note drop and fireworks at midnight CT.
In addition to her hosting duties, King joins the performance lineup this year and will perform her hits from Nashville’s Bicentennial Mall stage.
“New Year’s Eve is the one party we celebrate all over the world,” King said in a statement. “I wouldn’t want to spend it any other place than Music City! I’m so excited to get to host another beautiful night of music, friends, love, and joy. I can’t wait to celebrate an incredible year and welcome a new one together.”
“Being back in Nashville co-hosting with my girl Elle is something I look forward to every year,” Smith added. “We’re gonna put on one heck of a show from Music City, and Nashville’s Big Bash will be the perfect soundtrack to ring in another year with family and friends.”
New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash is executive produced by Robert Deaton and Mary Hilliard Harrington in partnership with the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. The special will be directed by Sandra Restrepo.
Hilliard Harrington said in a statement, “Nashville has quickly become one of the hottest destinations for New Year’s Eve, and we get to throw a huge party with the best artists and fans of any genre of music. We are thrilled to be in business with CBS and look forward to working with them for years to come.”
