NBC Rings in New Year with 135th Rose Parade, Kotb and Roker Return to Host

NBC is set to ring in the new year with a live broadcast of the 135th Rose Parade Presented by Honda on Monday, Jan. 1 from 8-10 a.m. “TODAY” co-anchor Hoda Kotb and weather and feature anchor Al Roker will return to the broadcast booth for this year’s telecast from “TV Corner” (Orange Grove Ave. at Colorado Blvd.)

This year marks Roker’s 25th year hosting the NBC telecast. The event also represents NBC’s 97th year broadcasting the Rose Parade, a tradition that began on radio in 1927 and transitioned to television in 1954.

The parade, produced by Live Digital Entertainment, will feature 41 brilliant rose-covered floats, 18 equestrian teams, and 21 marching bands from around the world. Final preparations are underway as nearly 1,000 Tournament of Roses members, known as White Suiters, devote more than 80,000 volunteer hours to produce the iconic parade.

This year’s masterpiece floral floats will span up to 75 feet long and 35 feet high, featuring effects such as pyrotechnics, smoke, waterfalls, streamers, and bubbles. The parade will begin with a majestic B-2 Spirit flyover, followed by hundreds of energetic performers, including the famous Rose Queen and her Rose Court.

In an effort to create a more inclusive experience, NBCUniversal will present the full NBC broadcast with live audio description on the Secondary Audio Program channel (SAP), provided by Descriptive Video Works. The broadcast will be available with additional audio narration, describing the visuals of the parade.

Eddie Delbridge and Shaun Smith are the Executive Producers of the telecast.