How to Watch the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Right From Your Couch
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below."
It’s almost time for a new year, and this time around, more than maybe ever before, we all just collectively need the current one to be over and our fresh starts to begin. New Year’s Eve is going to be different this year too, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. Giant parties are off the table for anyone committed to being responsible and practicing social distancing, which means that this year, more than ever before, knowing exactly how to watch the New York City Times Square ball drop live on TV is at the top of everyone's list for the big night. We'll all be saying good riddance to the dumpster fire of 2020 and hello to the hopefully (please, god, hopefully) better days ahead in 2021 from the comfort of our couches, but watching the ball drop will unify us (and provide us with a more-cathartic-than-ever countdown moment, of course).
Here is how and where and when to stream the New York City Times Square ball drop live this year.
First thing's first: Will there even be a New Year's Eve ball drop this year?
Uhm, absolutely! And here's the tweet to prove it:
49 days left til New Year’s Eve in Times Square, NYC 🌟 #newyears #newyearseve #timessquarenewyearseve #nyc pic.twitter.com/qQCdO33xUi
— Times Square (@TimesSquareNYC) November 12, 2022
Plus, the ~official~ Times Square website says that, "Times Square NYE 2022 safely invited revelers back to Times Square to watch the Ball Drop in person, with safety restrictions. The highly anticipated festivities were also broadcast for television and internet audiences, and included a virtual multi-media experience." No-ted!
When can I watch?
NYE coverage on pretty much all of the major networks (aka channels like NBC, Fox, and ABC) typically begins as early as 8pm ET on December 31, but the ball drop itself will begin at 11:59pm ET.
What channel is it on?
Typically, the super-popular networks air their own New Year's Eve specials on December 31 leading up to the ball drop, but none have announced their specific coverage plans for ringing in 2023 just yet—def stay tuned!
Can I stream the New Year’s Eve ball drop?
Even if none of the TV networks air any New Year's Eve coverage (which is highly unlikely), you won't have to miss watching the ball drop to ring in 2021. You can live-stream the event from your computer or phone on the Times Square official website. Happy viewing!
Who’s hosting?
Usually, viewers have an abundance of NYE coverage to choose from, including specials like Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest on ABC, NBC’s Miley's New Year’s Eve Party, and CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live. Here are all the deets on who's hosting on which platform:
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest: Eighteen-time host Ryan Seacrest will be joined in Times Square by Liza Koshy and Jessie James Decker to celebrate the countdown right in New York City. Meanwhile, Billy Porter will co-host from New Orleans, Ciara will tune-in from Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and DJ D-Nice will have his own party in Los Angeles.
It airs on ABC at 8pm ET / 7pm CT, but you can also stream it on ABC Live or through the ABC app.
Miley's New Year’s Eve Party: Miley Cyrus will be blessing out feeds as she's joined by none other than her godmother (and music icon) Dolly Parton to ring in 2023 on NBC and Peacock.
It airs on NBC at 10:30pm ET / 9:30pm CT, but you can also watch the livestream on NBC.com or through the NBC app. However, last year's broadcast also streamed on Peacock, so fingers crossed that this year's celebration will also be available on the platform.
CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live: Our absolute faves Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen are back at it again as co-hosts of CNN's iteration of the New Year's Eve festivities straight from Times Square. However, after Andy became a literal meme last year for being—erm, for lack of a better word—totally sh*t faced, the network has reportedly decided to reign it in re: the booze sitch.
It airs on CNN at 8pm ET / 7pm CT, but you can watch the livestream on CNNgo or through the CNN app.
New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash: CBS's Nashville-based New Year's bash will return after last year's inaugural celebration for all of the country music lovers! Co-hosted by Jimmie Allen and Elle King, it will feature live performances by Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini, and more.
It airs on CBS at 8pm ET / 7pm CT, but you can watch the livestream on Paramount+.
Who’s performing?
Amazing musical performances are usually a staple of New Year's Eve broadcasts, but word on the entertainment aspect of the programming is currently up in the air. How-ev-er! We'll update this post as more information is announced!
You Might Also Like
