KLAS-TV to Host 27th Annual “Countdown to New Year’s Eve 2021” Television Special Featuring Live Music, Special Guests, and Fireworks

KLAS-TV (CBS), Nexstar Inc’s local television station serving the Las Vegas area (DMA #40), announced today that it will host “Countdown to New Year’s Eve 2021,” a live New Year’s Eve special on Thursday, December 31, 2020, with coverage from 8:59 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. PT, featuring musical performances from Las Vegas headliners, special entertainment, a countdown to midnight across all four-time zones, and a six-minute spectacular fireworks show from the roof of the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas. 

KLAS-TV and Nexstar Inc stations in 13 other cities across seven states will broadcast the live show and reach more than 16 million U.S. households. Local viewers may also stream “Countdown to New Year’s Eve 2021,” as well as other exclusive bonus content, live online at 8newsnow.com. 

This year, KLAS-TV also will be partnering with Souper Bowl of Caring to raise money to address the issue of hunger and food insecurity in each local market; the Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation will donate $10,000 to Souper Bowl of Caring.

The New Year’s Eve special will be hosted by KLAS-TV 8 News anchors Brian Loftus, Kirsten Joyce, and Maria Arcega-Dunn from KSWB-TV and will originate from the newest resort in Las Vegas, Circa Resort & Casino, which opened in October. The live broadcast will take place at the one-of-a-kind “Stadium Swim” pool deck featuring three levels of fun, six different pools, and a video billboard with a 143-foot diagonal screen.

A second anchor location will be in Legacy Club rooftop lounge on the 60th floor of the hotel with panoramic views of the Las Vegas Valley. The exclusive, Emmy Award-winning broadcast will feature live reports from KGPE CBS47 meteorologist Anthony Bailey from the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip, KLAS-TV anchor Alex Backus, as well as KLAS-TV’s chief meteorologist, Tedd Florendo at The Plaza. The made-for-TV production will follow strict COVID-19 protocols on top of following all local rules and guidelines.  All guests and production teams will have their temperature checked, adhere to social distancing guidelines, and wear face masks.

The KLAS-TV broadcast will air live in 13 other Nexstar television markets across the country including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Sacramento, Portland, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, Fresno, Honolulu, Colorado Springs, Bakersfield, and Grand Junction.  Viewers and VIP party guests will ring-in the new year with live musical performances by Zowie Bowie, the seventh-time “Best of Las Vegas” winner. 

Local digital audiences will have uninterrupted, VIP access to additional live musical performances and exciting bonus content throughout the evening, as KLAS-TV live streams exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage of “Countdown to New Year’s Eve 2021” on 8newsnow.com. In addition, partygoers, family, and friends will have the opportunity to share their own personal New Year’s Eve merry-making experiences and holiday wishes using #VEGASNYE on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Viewers will also get the opportunity to donate to local food banks in their communities. “Countdown to New Year’s Eve 2021” is partnering with Souper Bowl of Caring to raise money to address hunger in each local market. Viewers in California, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and Hawaii will be encouraged to donate to their local food bank food bank by phone, online, or by texting “NYEDONATE” to 26989.

Souper Bowl of Caring, which began in 1990, is a youth-inspired movement of individuals working across the nation to tackle hunger in their local communities by mobilizing grassroots resources including churches, schools, and civic groups.  The organization has generated more than $160 million in donations since its inception.  On behalf of the 14 stations airing “Countdown to New Year’s Eve 2021,” the Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation will be donating $10,000 to Souper Bowl of Caring.

“The KLAS-TV New Year’s Eve broadcast is one of the industry’s most spectacular local productions and Nexstar is excited to be able bring this event to millions of viewers throughout the U.S.” said Tim Busch, President of Broadcasting for Nexstar Inc. “By partnering with Souper Bowl of Caring, ‘Countdown to New Year’s Eve 2021’ will not only provide unforgettable entertainment but enable our viewers to help fight hunger in their local communities.  Giving back to the local communities served by Nexstar in 115 markets across the country is core to the company’s mission. We are proud to donate $10,000 to Souper Bowl of Caring on behalf of KLAS-TV, Nexstar Media Group, and all of Nexstar’s 13,000 employees.”

“’Countdown to New Year’s Eve 2021’ is a local tradition that KLAS-TV has helped bring to life for the past 25 years,” added Lisa Howfield, Vice President and General Manager of KLAS-TV. “Our talented team at 8 News Now is ready to ring in 2021 by delivering top-notch, exclusive, local content to viewers in California, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and Hawaii, both on-air and online at 8newsnow.com. We are also looking forward to joining forces with Souper Bowl of Caring to tackle hunger in our local communities.”

The Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation’s mission is to contribute to and work with public charities and non-profit organizations to improve the communities in which Nexstar Media Group Inc. and its subsidiaries do business. The foundation was originally established in 1958 and it makes donations of approximately $350,000 annually.

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