Carson Daly's NBC New Year's show line up announced

By April MacIntyre Nov 4, 2008, 1:58 GMT

Adam Sandler\'s uncomfortably close by...Merry New Year with Carson Daly - © Sylvain Gaboury / PR Photos

"NBC’s New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly” has confirmed Ludacris, 50 Cent and Katy Perry to the line-up.

The televised event will be held in New York City as Carson Daly rings in the New Year on Wednesday, December 31. 

Times Square will be ground-zero as the networl will broadcast beginning in primetime from 10-11 p.m. (ET) and continuing in late night from 11:35 p.m. - 12:35 a.m. in high definition. 

The announcement was made today by Rick Ludwin, Executive Vice President, Late Night & Primetime Series.

"NBC's Carson Daly New Year's Eve tradition has increased its rating each year it’s been on the air,” said Ludwin.  “Viewers clearly like what Carson is doing.  The additional hour in prime time makes our audience even more a part of this New Year's Eve party."

Carson will be joined by Saturday "Today" co-anchor Amy Robach giving live reports from Times Square.  Along with Robach, NBC News correspondent Luke Russert will join the broadcast this year.

“The network gave us a huge vote of confidence by asking us to expand into primetime,” said Daly.  “We've got great music with 50 Cent, Katy Perry, Ludacris. It's gonna be a huge show, bigger than the Beijing Olympics and if it's not, I apologize.” 

In 2007, 8 million viewers tuned in to watch "NBC’s New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly."  It was the highest rated NBC New Year's Eve special in six years, continuing the yearly upward trend for the special.