US Trends

where can we watch the ball drop streaming

You can watch the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop streaming for free on the official Times Square webcast and on several TV-network streams that carry the Times Square celebration.

Official free online streams

These are the easiest, legit ways to watch the ball drop without paying for cable.

  • TimesSquareNYC.org – The official Times Square site hosts a commercial‑free live webcast starting around 6 p.m. ET with performances, interviews, and the midnight ball drop.
  • TimesSquareBall.net – Another official portal that mirrors the same webcast of the countdown and ball drop.
  • YouTube (Times Square NYE stream) – The official Times Square New Year’s Eve broadcast is also simulcast on YouTube so you can watch on smart TVs, phones, or laptops.
  • Social platforms – The Times Square organizers also stream the event on their Facebook and X (Twitter) pages, including the countdown and ball drop at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Streaming via TV networks

If you prefer the big New Year’s specials with hosts and performances, several U.S. networks show the Times Square ball drop as part of their coverage.

  • ABC – “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”
    • Airs live from Times Square in prime time and includes the ball drop at midnight ET.
* You can stream it with services that carry ABC, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, or via the ABC app if you have a TV provider login.
  • CNN – “New Year’s Eve Live”
    • Features live coverage from Times Square including the ball drop.
* Available on streaming bundles that include CNN (e.g., Sling TV’s relevant packages, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream).

If you’re outside the U.S.

Most of these streams can still work when you’re traveling, but some network apps or live‑TV services may be region‑locked.

  • Official Times Square streams on TimesSquareNYC.org , TimesSquareBall.net , and YouTube are generally available globally and are the most reliable option abroad.
  • Live‑TV streaming services that carry ABC or CNN may require you to appear in a U.S. region and to use a U.S. billing method.

Quick “just tell me where” list

  • TimesSquareNYC.org (free, official, no cable needed).
  • TimesSquareBall.net (free, official).
  • YouTube – official Times Square New Year’s Eve stream.
  • Facebook & X – Times Square official pages.
  • ABC via YouTube TV / Hulu + Live TV / Fubo / DirecTV Stream / some Sling TV markets.
  • CNN via Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.