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2025 is peeking around the corner, and, as always, millions will ring in the new year by watching the New Year’s Eve ball drop celebration in Times Square. Of course, many of us can’t make it to New York City to see the ball drop in person, which is why just about every major cable channel will have a special to cover the celebration.
At a Glance: How to Watch the Ball Drop 2025
Ahead is a quick guide on how to watch the 2025 ball drop, including ways to livestream the ball drop without cable and details on all the best specials.
How to Watch the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Online
There are a number of great New Year’s Eve specials that will show the ball drop live from NYC, including programming on CBS, CNN, and other major channels. The best way to watch the ball drop without cable is to get a live TV streaming service that will let you flip between shows. Here are some of our favorite such cable streamers:
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DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream carries every major channel, including CNN, ABC, NBC, and CBS, letting you livestream the ball drop from anywhere tonight. Packages start at $86.99 a month, but you get a five-day free trial to start that you can use to watch the ball drop for free.
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Hulu + Live TV
Another great live TV streaming service you can use to watch the ball drop this New Year’s Eve is Hulu + Live TV. A free trial to the service (which lasts three days) will get you access to ball drop coverage from channels like CBS, ABC, CNN, and more. After the free trial, Hulu + Live TV costs $82.99 a month.
Sling
Sling is another great option for watching the ball drop online tonight. The service does not offer a free trial, but it’s more affordable than the above options. The Sling Orange + Blue plan carries CNN, ABC, and NBC for multiple ball drop livestreams.
What Shows Cover the Ball Drop?
Below are some of the best TV specials that will show a livestream of the ball drop tonight. All can be streamed online with DirecTV Stream and Hulu + Live TV.
New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash: 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
CBS is putting on a massive show to ring in 2025 with New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash. The special will feature performances from Keith Urban, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Luke Bryan, Shaboozey, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, Zach Top, and Post Malone.
New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen: 8 p.m. ET on CNN
A fan-favorite New Year’s Eve special is New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, which sees the duo broadcasting (and usually imbibing) live from Times Square. This one airs on CNN and starts at 8 p.m. ET.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Ryan Seacrest is back for his 20th year hosting Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve live from Times Square. Carrie Underwood is slated to headline the ABC special, and the Jonas Brothers will join after the ball drop.
The Day Drinking with Seth Meyers New Year’s Eve Special: 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC
NBC will welcome 2025 with a New Year’s Eve special of The Day Drinking with Seth Meyers. The show will look back at some of Meyers’ best moments on the show, when he shared more than a few with guests like Rihanna, Post Malone, Dua Lipa, Lizzo, Kelly Clarkson, and Kevin Hart.
When Does the Ball Drop Happen?
The ball drop will begin at exactly 11:59 p.m. ET for a 60-second fall and midnight landing in the new year.