New Year's Eve centers on music for many country fans. Some attend special concerts, with star-studded bills and champagne on ice. For those staying in, the various television specials that lead up to the ball drop at midnight usually spice their variety of pop-oriented musical acts with a handful of contemporary country stars.
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This year is no exception, with Sugarland celebrating their return to country music and Kane Brown sharing his massively popular sound with an even broader audience.
The following roundup serves as a viewing guide for fans staying in for the holiday or hosting friends with similar tastes.
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018
8 p.m. to 2 a.m. EST on ABC
This longstanding tradition, still named after the world's oldest teenager, kick-starts Sugarland's 2018 plans by letting them co-headline the Times Square proceedings. Over on the West Coast, Kane Brown enjoys further exposure on the same stage where Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha will rap in the new year.
New Year's Eve With Steve Harvey: Live From Times Square
8 p.m. EST on Fox
Of the advertised acts for Fox's NYE bash, only the Backstreet Boys ever sniffed country chart success. On a less depressing note, Neil Diamond's plans to lead the world's largest sing-along (it's got to be "Sweet Caroline") sounds like a fun chance at interactive entertainment for the family.
Music City Midnight 2018 in Nashville
4 p.m. to midnight EST, broadcast TBA
Keith Urban, Maren Morris, Larkin Poe and Carly Pearce highlight a stacked lineup for Nashville's own annual ball drop. Although the event isn't a network special unto itself, CNN and other networks often check in on Music City's New Year's Eve proceedings throughout the evening.
