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.