MSN Steps Up New Year's Coverage

For the second year, MSN Video will provide exclusive non-stop streaming coverage of the New Year's Eve festivities in New York City, Microsoft announced Thursday. The coverage will last for six hours, and include views of performances and celebrations around New York City.

The broadcast will have three live hosts, including Romeo, host of "Romeo on the Radio" on New York's Z100 who also hosted last year's broadcast; Angela LaGreca of "The View"; and Brandi Williams, entertainment reporter and host of "Ultimate Poker Challenge."

Live performances will be broadcast from Steven Van Zandt at a Hard Rock Cafe event called "Underground Garage Live," as well as performances from The Woggles, The Charms, The Chesterfield Kings, The Troggs, The Mooney Suzuki and The New York Dolls.

MSN has also enabled user participation by allowing viewers to e-mail comments and questions into the hosts, in addition to sending their well-wishes for the New Year.

"This webcast clearly provides a broader, more extensive New Year's Eve Times Square program than any other medium can offer," MSN Video executive producer Steve Sterling said in a statement.

The coverage will begin at 7 p.m. Eastern time on December 31. Users can view the video, as well as highlights of last year's broadcast through New Year's Eve, on the event's Web site on MSN.