$\"Mark$ <\/a>

<\/a> Mark Giangreco and Janet Davies<\/p><\/div>\n

For the first time in ages, Chicago viewers have a tough choice to make on New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/p>\n

Should they count down to midnight with perennial favorites Janet Davies and Mark Giangreco on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7?<\/a> Or should they ring in the new year with flashy newcomer \u201cChi-Town Rising\u201d <\/a>hosted by Mario Lopez on NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5?<\/a><\/p>\n

Billed as its 25th anniversary celebration, ABC 7 returns with \u201cCountdown Chicago 2016,\u201d co-hosted by Davies and Giangreco, starting at 11:08 p.m. December 31. Joining them from venues around town will be station colleagues Alan Krashesky, Terrell Brown, Hosea Sanders, Cheryl Scott, Val Warner, Ryan Chiaverini and Ji Suk Yi.<\/p>\n

Featured acts on the show will include Chicago\u2019s Chance the Rapper and DJ Skrillex from the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, and the world television premiere of a production number from Broadway In Chicago\u2019s \"Gotta Dance.\" The broadcast will culminate with fireworks from Navy Pier.<\/p>\n

$\"Mario$ <\/a>

Mario Lopez<\/p><\/div>\n

Lopez, host of the syndicated magazine show \u201cExtra,\u201d was announced Tuesday as host of NBC 5\u2019s live broadcast of Chicago's inaugural \u201cChi-Town Rising\u201d New Year's Eve celebration, also starting at 11:08 p.m. December 31.<\/p>\n

Co-hosts on the broadcast, which will air on more than 40 NBC affiliates throughout the Central Time Zone, will be Lopez\u2019s wife, actress Courtney Lopez, Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila of NBC\u2019s \"American Ninja Warrior,\u201d and NBC 5 traffic reporter Marley Kayden.<\/p>\n

The event also will air on Spanish-language Telemundo Chicago WSNS-Channel 44,<\/a> hosted by Penelope Menchaca and Maria Elena Ponticiello\u00a0and co-hosted by Maricela V\u00e1zquez and Lily Fragoso, starting at 11 p.m.<\/p>\n

From a stage in front of the Hyatt Regency Chicago on Wacker Drive musical performances will be featured by headliners Chicago and American Authors.\u00a0At midnight a 75-foot Chicago star will rise 360 feet into the sky over the Hyatt Regency, followed by a fireworks display.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are thrilled to welcome a new tradition to our city, changing the way that Chicago and the Midwest celebrates New Year\u2019s Eve,\u201d John Murray, founder of Arena Partners and executive producer of \u201cChi-Town Rising,\u201d said in a statement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"