The main broadcast networks and streaming services showing the ball drop

The Times Square ball drop airs live on ABC, NBC, CNN, and Fox on December 31st starting around 11 p.m. Eastern time. Each network carries the same feed of the actual ball descending at midnight, but they wrap it with different hosts, musical performances, and commentary. ABC's coverage typically runs longest and includes Ryan Seacrest as host. NBC pairs their feed with Carson Daly. CNN runs Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen together. Fox offers a shorter window focused on the countdown itself.

If you have a cable or satellite subscription, you can watch any of these channels through your TV provider's app or website. YouTube TV carries all four networks, so if you subscribe there, you can open the app on any device — phone, tablet, computer, or connected TV — and tune in without a separate cable login.

The ball drop itself lasts about 60 seconds. The broadcast buildup starts hours earlier with performances and celebrity appearances, so the exact start time depends on which network you choose and how much pre-midnight content you want to see.

Key Takeaways

  • ABC, NBC, CNN, and Fox all broadcast the Times Square ball drop live at midnight Eastern time on December 31st, and YouTube TV carries all four channels.
  • Each network uses different hosts and musical guests, so your choice depends on which personalities or performers you prefer.
  • The actual ball drop takes about 60 seconds, but pre-countdown programming runs for several hours before midnight.
  • You can watch on any device — phone, tablet, computer, or TV — as long as you have YouTube TV or a cable subscription to one of the networks.
  • If you are outside the Eastern time zone, the countdown happens at the same clock time everywhere in the U.S., so West Coast viewers see it at 9 p.m. local time.

What each network's coverage includes

ABC's "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" is the longest-running New Year's broadcast. Ryan Seacrest hosts from Times Square, and the show includes live musical performances from artists announced closer to the date, celebrity appearances, and segments from other cities celebrating the new year. The broadcast typically starts at 8 p.m. Eastern and runs past midnight.

NBC's "New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" focuses more tightly on the Times Square celebration. Carson Daly hosts, and the network includes performances and interviews but generally runs a shorter total program. NBC's coverage usually begins around 10 p.m. Eastern.

CNN's "New Year's Eve Live" with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen is more conversational and less performance-heavy. It runs from 8 p.m. Eastern through midnight and includes celebrity guests and behind-the-scenes moments from Times Square.

Fox's coverage is the most compact. It typically airs only in the final hour or two before midnight and focuses on the countdown and ball drop itself with minimal additional programming.

Streaming options beyond YouTube TV

If you do not have YouTube TV but have a cable login from another provider, you can often stream ABC, NBC, or CNN directly through those networks' apps or websites. ABC offers streaming through the ABC app and ABC.com if you sign in with a cable subscription. NBC has the same setup through the NBC app and NBC.com. CNN streams through CNN.com and the CNN app.

Some of these networks also offer limited free streaming during the New Year's Eve countdown, though the terms change year to year. Check the network's website a few days before December 31st to see whether free streaming is available without a login.

Hulu with Live TV and other live TV streaming services like Sling TV and FuboTV also carry these networks, so if you subscribe to one of those services, you can watch the same way you would on YouTube TV.

International time zones and repeat broadcasts

The Times Square ball drops at midnight Eastern time, which is 11 p.m. Central, 10 p.m. Mountain, and 9 p.m. Pacific. If you are on the West Coast, the countdown happens at 9 p.m. your local time, not midnight. Some viewers prefer to watch the Eastern broadcast live and then tune in again for their own local midnight, or watch a repeat broadcast if one airs.

ABC typically repeats its New Year's Eve coverage on January 1st during the day, so if you miss the live broadcast, you can catch a replay. Check your local TV listings or the ABC app for exact replay times in your area.

If you are outside the United States, the ball drop still happens at the same moment worldwide, but your local time will be different. International viewers can often find the broadcast through streaming services available in their country or through clips posted to YouTube and social media shortly after the event.

What to expect at Times Square on December 31st

Times Square itself is crowded and cold. Hundreds of thousands of people gather in person, and they arrive hours early to claim standing room. The area is heavily policed, and entry points close as the crowd reaches capacity. If you are watching from home, you are seeing the same view that the in-person crowd sees — the ball descends from a pole above the intersection of Broadway and 42nd Street, and confetti cannons fire as it reaches the bottom.

The broadcast shows the crowd, the performances on the main stage, and close-ups of the ball itself. Hosts count down the final ten seconds, and the ball reaches the bottom exactly at midnight. The whole visible event lasts about a minute, though the celebration and performances continue afterward.

Technical setup for watching on different devices

On a TV, open the YouTube TV app, sign in, and select the channel you want — ABC, NBC, CNN, or Fox. The app works on most smart TVs, Roku devices, Apple TV, Google TV, and Amazon Fire TV. If your TV is not smart, you can connect a streaming device or use a cable box if you have one.

On a phone or tablet, read the YouTube TV app, sign in, and select your channel. The same applies to a computer — go to YouTube TV's website, sign in, and click the channel. All three methods show the same live feed.

Make sure your internet connection is stable a few hours before midnight. If you are streaming, a wired connection is more reliable than Wi-Fi, but most home Wi-Fi networks handle a single video stream without trouble. Test your setup the day before if you want to avoid surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch the Times Square ball drop for free?

Some networks offer free streaming of the countdown without a cable login, but this varies year to year. Check ABC.com, NBC.com, and CNN.com a few days before December 31st to see what they offer. If you have YouTube TV or another cable subscription, you can watch on any of the four major networks.

What time does the ball drop if I am on the West Coast?

The Times Square ball drops at 9 p.m. Pacific time on December 31st. If you want to watch at your own local midnight, you would be watching a replay or a different celebration, not the Times Square event live.

Do I need a cable subscription to watch on YouTube TV?

Yes, YouTube TV is a paid streaming service that requires a subscription. It includes live TV channels like ABC, NBC, CNN, and Fox, plus on-demand content. If you already subscribe, you can watch the New Year's Eve countdown on any of those channels through the app.

Will the broadcast show the same thing on every network?

All four networks show the same Times Square ball drop at the same moment, but they use different hosts, musical guests, and commentary. The actual countdown and ball drop are identical, but the hours of programming before midnight differ by network.

Can I rewatch the countdown after it airs?

ABC typically posts a replay on January 1st during daytime hours. NBC and CNN may do the same, though timing varies. Check your local TV listings or the network's app for replay times. Clips of the actual ball drop also appear on YouTube and social media within minutes of the event.