How To Watch The Ball Drop in Times Square This New Year's Eve
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It's almost time to bid farewell to 2023, and ring in a brand new year. Bring out your best sparkly attire, party poppers, champagne flutes and anything that says 2024 (or 2023 with an X through it, if you're on a budget), and get ready for another New Year's Eve celebration to remember. Sure there will be plenty of parties to attend and there's a list a mile long of great movies for New Year's Eve, but whatever your plans are on New Year's Eve, watching the ball drop is a must!
The infamous Times Square Ball Drop has been a tradition for over a century, and has grown to be one of the most highly anticipated and attended events of the year. We're not saying you'll have bad luck in 2024 if you miss it, but we're not taking any chances. If you can't make it to New York or you just don't find standing outside in the cold for hours appealing, you're in luck because there are plenty of ways to watch the crystal ball drop from home or on the go!
How To Watch The Times Square Ball Drop On TV
This year, three major channels will broadcast the ball drop and host their own New Year's Eve programs:
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest: Ryan Seacrest is back again in 2023 to host the 52nd annual New Year's Rockin' Eve in Times Square. The show begins at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. Rita Ora will co-host with Seacrest in New York while Jeannie Mai will host from Los Angeles, for Pacific Time folks. This year, the special will feature performances live from Megan Thee Stallion, Jelly Roll, Sabrina Carpenter, and Tyla, live from New York. If you're on the move after the show stars, you can watch from your phone on ABC Live or the ABC App.
New Year's Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen: The jury is still out on whether Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will be able to drink on air this New Year's Eve. The 2022-23 show was a dry one after Cohen's drunken comment the year prior. "If you look behind me, you'll see Ryan Seacrest's group of losers performing.... I'm sorry, but if you're watching ABC, you're watching nothing," Cohen said. As for this year, Cohen's hoping to get a second chance. You can catch Cooper and Cohen on CNN beginning at 8 p.m. EST. You can also watch from the CNN App or on CNNgo.
New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash: Elle King and Rachel Smith will host Nashville's Big Bash this New Year's Eve on CBS. Though viewers won't see the Times Square ball drop, Nashville has its very own music note drop at midnight. The event, which starts at 7:30 pm EST, will include performances from Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett, and Lynard Skynard. If you're in the Nashville area, the event is free to attend at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. You can also stream the event live with Paramount+ with SHOWTIME.
How to Stream the NYE Ball Drop for Free
No cable? No problem! There are plenty of options for streaming the ball drop this New Year's Eve. Log on to TimesSquareNYC.org for a commercial free broadcast starting at 6 p.m. EST. Alternately, you can also stream the show at NewYearsEve.nyc or TimesSquareBall.net. Finally, you can stream the show on social media. Watch on Facebook or Twitter.
However you plan on watching make sure to have a glass full of champagne ready to toast the New Year!
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