Yes, Paramount Plus streams the New Year's Eve ball drop

Paramount Plus carries CBS's New Year's Eve coverage, which includes the Times Square ball drop in New York City. The stream typically goes live on December 31st in the evening and runs through midnight. You can watch it on any device where you have Paramount Plus installed — phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV.

The exact start time and programming details change year to year, so you should check Paramount Plus directly a few days before December 31st to confirm the schedule for that year. CBS usually promotes its New Year's Eve show several weeks in advance, and Paramount Plus updates its schedule to match.

Key Takeaways

  • Paramount Plus streams CBS's New Year's Eve coverage, which includes the Times Square ball drop live at midnight.
  • You need an active Paramount Plus subscription to watch; the stream is not available to free-tier users.
  • The broadcast is available on phones, tablets, computers, and connected TV devices where Paramount Plus is installed.
  • Check the Paramount Plus schedule a few days before December 31st to confirm the exact start time and any additional programming.

What subscription tier do you need

The New Year's Eve ball drop broadcast requires a paid Paramount Plus subscription. The free ad-supported tier does not include access to live events or special programming like New Year's Eve coverage. Both the ad-supported paid plan and the ad-free plan carry the same live events, so either paid tier works.

If you do not currently have Paramount Plus, you can sign up before December 31st. Most streaming services do not charge prorated amounts for partial months, so signing up a day or two before the event costs the same as signing up on the first of the month.

How to find the broadcast on the app or website

Open Paramount Plus and look for a "Live" or "Featured" section — this is where the service displays live events and special programming. The New Year's Eve show usually appears there prominently in the days leading up to December 31st. You can also search for "New Year's Eve" or "ball drop" in the search bar if you do not see it when ready.

On a web browser, the layout is similar: check the homepage for featured live events, or use the search function. The broadcast will be labeled with the date and time it airs. If you are watching on a connected TV device (Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, or similar), the Paramount Plus app works the same way — navigate to the live events section or search for the show.

What happens if you miss the live broadcast

Paramount Plus sometimes makes New Year's Eve coverage available on-demand after the live broadcast ends. This means you can watch a recording of the full show the next day or later, rather than only during the live window. However, this is not may provide every year — availability depends on CBS and Paramount Plus's licensing agreements for that particular broadcast.

Check the Paramount Plus app on January 1st to see if the show is available as an on-demand recording. If it is not there within a day or two, it may not be offered that year. Some viewers also record the broadcast on cable or use other streaming services that carry CBS to catch a replay.

Streaming quality and internet requirements

Paramount Plus recommends at least 5 Mbps of internet speed for HD streaming and 25 Mbps for 4K, though the New Year's Eve broadcast may not be available in 4K depending on your device and subscription tier. A stable connection is important for live events because buffering or drops during the countdown can interrupt the experience.

If you experience lag or freezing during the broadcast, try closing other apps, moving closer to your router, or restarting the Paramount Plus app. If your internet connection is consistently slow, you may want to lower the video quality in the app's settings before the broadcast begins.

Watching on multiple devices at once

Paramount Plus allows simultaneous streams depending on your subscription plan. The standard paid plan typically allows two streams at the same time, while the premium ad-free plan may allow more. This means you could watch on your TV while someone else in your household watches on a phone or tablet, as long as you do not exceed the limit.

If you try to stream on more devices than your plan allows, the app will stop the oldest stream and ask you to sign in again on the device you are trying to use. Plan ahead if multiple people in your home want to watch the ball drop at the same time, and consider whether your subscription tier supports that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need cable to watch the ball drop on Paramount Plus?

No. A Paramount Plus subscription is all you need — you do not need a cable or satellite TV subscription. Paramount Plus is a standalone streaming service that carries CBS programming, including live events like New Year's Eve.

Can I watch the ball drop for free on Paramount Plus?

No. The free tier of Paramount Plus does not include live events or special programming. You must have a paid subscription, either the ad-supported or ad-free plan.

What if Paramount Plus is down or the stream keeps buffering?

If the app crashes or the stream drops, restart the Paramount Plus app and log back in. If buffering is the problem, check your internet speed and close other apps using bandwidth. If the entire service is down, check Paramount Plus's social media or support page to see if there is a known outage.

Can I watch the ball drop on Paramount Plus outside the United States?

Paramount Plus is primarily available in the United States. If you are outside the US, you may not have access to the service or the New Year's Eve broadcast, depending on your location and local licensing rules.

Is the ball drop broadcast the same on Paramount Plus as on regular CBS?

Yes. Paramount Plus streams the same CBS broadcast that airs on cable and antenna TV, so the content, timing, and hosts are identical.