CNN missed its NYE countdown in the Central time zone, accidentally ringing in 2023 with 'Back That Azz Up'

• CNN missed the New Year's Eve countdown in Central time zone.
• Instead it rang in 2023 with footage of crowds dancing to Juvenile's 'Back That Azz Up'

After all the fuss about CNN's decision to bar on-air talent from drinking alcohol during its New Year's Eve broadcast this year, 2022's coverage was supposed to go off without a hitch.

But it was not to be, as the network completely missed the countdown in the Central time zone, instead ringing in 2023 with on-screen footage of host Don Lemon and revelers in New Orleans dancing to Juvenile's "Back That Azz Up."

As the clock ticked over, Lemon is seen throwing beaded necklaces into the dancing crowd, only moments later seeming to realize that the countdown and announcement had been missed.

After a short delay, Lemon asks the crowd if they're "ready for this countdown?"

Split screen footage, meanwhile, showed muted images of fireworks and celebrations in Nashville, where revelers and organizers had not missed the moment.

Social media quickly picked up the flub, especially given CNN's highly publicized decision to bar its correspondents from drinking alcohol while covering the event this year.

This came after criticism of on-air hosts getting increasingly drunk as the night progressed during previous broadcasts.

During last year's coverage, cohost Andy Cohen went off on several rants about Bill de Blasio, the former mayor of New York City, and Ryan Seacrest, the host of ABC's "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve."

Cohen later said on Twitter that he had been "overserved."

Some have suggested that this year's mistake resulted from a technical issue, with Lemon unable to hear his producers through his earpiece.

Either way, the footage will likely join the long list of past epic New Year's Eve broadcast fails.