where will the ball drop be streaming

The Times Square Ball Drop for New Year's Eve 2026, happening tonight at midnight ET in New York City, will stream across multiple free and paid platforms, making it easy to watch from home without cable.

Free Streaming Options

Catch the iconic ball drop live without paying a dime through these reliable sources, which kick off coverage as early as 6 p.m. ET.

• Times Square Official Website : Commercial-free stream of festivities and the drop.

• Times Square on Facebook and X (Twitter) : Live video feeds straight from the crowd.

• YouTube Live Streams : Channels like Associated Press, ABC Live, or FOX 4 News offer real-time coverage; search "NYC ball drop live" for options.

• Live TV Streamers : YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, or Fubo carry ABC, CNN, or NBC broadcasts if you have a trial or sub.

Major Network Broadcasts

Networks deliver full pre-shows with stars like Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, and Anderson Cooper, transitioning to the ball drop.

• ABC's "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" starts at 8 p.m. ET, streams on ABC.com or next-day Hulu.

• CNN's "New Year's Eve Live" from 8 p.m. ET on CNN app, Max, or CNN All Access.

• CBS and Paramount+ for Nashville's Big Bash alternative with country stars, also from 8 p.m. ET.

Quick Tips for Best Viewing

Forums buzz with viewers praising YouTube for no-login access, though some note audio glitches on certain streams—switch if needed. With President Trump's recent reelection adding buzz to national events, expect heightened energy in Times Square coverage. Tune in early to avoid lag on mobile apps.

TL;DR : Free on TimesSquareNYC.org, YouTube, or socials; ABC/CNN for polished shows.

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