What channel is the ball drop on is one of the most searched questions every New Year’s Eve, and for 2026 the answer is clear — ABC is your primary destination with Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, while CNN, CBS, and NBC all offer their own simultaneous celebrations.
Whether you have cable, satellite, a streaming service, or nothing at all, there is a free option available for everyone.
Quick Answer: What Channel Is the Ball Drop On in 2026?
The primary channel for the ball drop is ABC, which airs Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest starting at 8 p.m. ET on December 31, 2025.
ABC has been the home of the most-watched New Year’s Eve special in the United States since the mid-1970s and remains the go-to channel for the Times Square countdown and the midnight ball drop moment.
CNN is the second major option, with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen hosting live from Times Square. CBS covers the night with a country music focus from Nashville, and NBC offers a year-in-review retrospective special.
All Channels Showing the Ball Drop 2026 at a Glance
| Channel | Show Name | Hosts | Start Time (ET) | Stream Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2026 | Ryan Seacrest, Rita Ora | 8:00 p.m. ET | Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV |
| CNN | New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen | Anderson Cooper, Andy Cohen | 8:00 p.m. ET | CNN.com/AllAccess, CNN mobile app |
| CBS | New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash | Bert Kreischer, HARDY | 8:00 p.m. ET | Paramount+, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, YouTube TV |
| NBC | A Toast to 2025! | Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager | 10:30 p.m. ET | Peacock |
| TimesSquareNYC.org | Official Times Square Livestream | N/A (webcast) | 6:00 p.m. ET | Free — no login required |
| YouTube | Times Square Official YouTube | N/A (webcast) | 6:00 p.m. ET | Free — ASL interpretation available |
What Channel Is the Ball Drop On – ABC Full Details
ABC is the answer to what channel is the ball drop on for the majority of American viewers. Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026 is the most-watched New Year’s Eve special in the country and has been for decades.
The show starts at 8 p.m. ET on December 31, 2025, and runs all the way through to 4 a.m. ET on January 1, 2026 — making it the longest New Year’s Eve broadcast in the show’s history.
Ryan Seacrest hosts from Times Square in New York City, joined by co-host Rita Ora. Chance the Rapper co-hosts the Central Time Zone countdown from Chicago, and Rob Gronkowski and Julianne Hough host the Las Vegas celebration. The show spans New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Puerto Rico with 42 performers across all locations.
ABC Performers for New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2026
The performer lineup for the ABC special includes some of the biggest names in music for 2025-26.
| Performer | Performance Location |
|---|---|
| Chappell Roan | Times Square, New York |
| 50 Cent | Times Square, New York |
| Charlie Puth | Times Square, New York |
| Chance the Rapper | Chicago |
| Rob Gronkowski (host) | Las Vegas |
| Julianne Hough (host) | Las Vegas |
| Rita Ora (co-host) | Times Square, New York |
| Additional performers | Puerto Rico and beyond |
The show features more than 85 songs across the full broadcast, making it a comprehensive music experience from 8 p.m. all the way to 4 a.m.
How to Watch ABC Without Cable
You do not need cable to watch ABC and catch the ball drop. Several streaming services carry ABC live.
Hulu + Live TV costs $89.99 per month and includes ABC, CNN, and over 90 other channels. This is one of the most comprehensive options.
Fubo costs $73.99 per month for new subscribers and includes most local channels including ABC. New subscribers get $25 off their first month.
DirecTV Stream carries ABC and CNN together, with packages starting at $89.99 per month. It also includes Disney+ and Hulu at no additional cost.
Sling TV Blue at $50.99 per month and Sling Orange and Blue at $65.99 per month both carry ABC and CNN, making it a more affordable live TV option.
You can also watch a replay of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on Hulu the day after it airs, on January 1, 2026.
What Channel Is CNN’s Ball Drop Coverage On?
CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen is one of the most beloved alternatives for viewers who want a livelier, more unpredictable broadcast alongside the Times Square countdown.
The special starts at 8 p.m. ET on December 31 and airs live from Times Square. Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen return for their ninth year together as co-hosts, bringing their signature unscripted energy to the night.
For the first time in 2025-26, the CNN special streams exclusively on CNN’s new subscription platform. You can access it at CNN.com/AllAccess, through CNN’s mobile app, or through connected TV apps on Smart TVs.
If you have cable or satellite, you can also watch it on the CNN channel the traditional way. Pay TV subscribers can log in with their provider credentials to access the stream.
CNN New Year’s Eve 2026 Performers
| Performer | Location |
|---|---|
| Robyn | Times Square, New York |
| Shakira | Hollywood, FL (Hard Rock Live) |
| Brandy and Monica | The Boy Is Mine Tour |
| Bryan Adams | Madison Square Garden |
| Florence + the Machine | Live performance |
| RAYE | Live performance |
| Patti LaBelle | Guest appearance |
| Brandi Carlile | Guest appearance |
| Aloe Blacc | Guest appearance |
Celebrity guests throughout the night include Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris, B.J. Novak, Leanne Morgan, Sarah Sherman, Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell, and Michelle Williams.
CNN also has on-site reporters at multiple locations including Times Square, New Orleans, the Bahamas, Fort Lauderdale, and Prescott, Arizona.
CBS New Year’s Eve 2026: Nashville’s Big Bash
CBS offers a completely different New Year’s Eve experience with its country music-focused celebration from Nashville. If you prefer country over pop, CBS is your answer when asking what channel is the ball drop on.
New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash airs on CBS starting at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. Central) and runs for five full hours. Bert Kreischer and HARDY serve as co-hosts for the 2025-26 edition.
The show broadcasts live from Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville, Tennessee. It also features a unique Nashville Music Note Drop at midnight as an alternative to the Times Square ball drop.
CBS Nashville Performer Lineup 2026
| Headliner | Additional Performers |
|---|---|
| Lainey Wilson | Post Malone |
| Jason Aldean | Chris Stapleton |
| Bailey Zimmerman | CeCe Winans |
| Miranda Lambert | Kane Brown |
| Jelly Roll | Shaboozey |
| Dierks Bentley | Riley Green |
| Brooks and Dunn | Megan Moroney |
| Rascal Flatts | Keith Urban |
| Gretchen Wilson | Zach Top |
| Parker McCollum | The Fisk Jubilee Singers |
CBS streams on Paramount+ Premium for subscribers. You can also watch via Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, or DirecTV Stream if those services include your local CBS station.
NBC New Year’s Eve 2026: A Toast to 2025!
NBC takes a different approach for 2025-26 after its originally planned Snoop Dogg special was postponed due to scheduling conflicts with Snoop’s preparations for NBC’s 2026 Winter Olympics coverage.
Instead, NBC airs A Toast to 2025! starting at 10:30 p.m. ET, co-hosted by Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager. The two-hour special looks back at the biggest moments of 2025 before welcoming 2026.
Guest appearances include Kristin Chenoweth, Jim Gaffigan, Tiffany Haddish, Bobby Moynihan, David Alan Grier, Howie Mandel, and Today show personalities including Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin, Dylan Dreyer, Willie Geist, and Al Roker.
NBC follows the special at 12:30 a.m. ET with a Fireworks Around the World segment featuring pyrotechnic displays from Sydney, Times Square, Paris, and other global celebrations.
You can stream NBC’s special live on Peacock. At midnight, Peacock also offers an extended coverage stream for viewers who want to keep the celebration going into the early hours.
How to Watch the Ball Drop for Free in 2026
The best news for anyone asking what channel is the ball drop on without a cable subscription is that there are completely free options that require no login, no subscription, and no credit card.
TimesSquareNYC.org — The official Times Square Alliance website streams the ball drop live and commercial-free starting at 6 p.m. ET. It focuses purely on the Times Square event without celebrity commentary getting in the way.
YouTube (Times Square Official Channel) — The official Times Square YouTube channel streams the same commercial-free coverage simultaneously. This version also includes open captions and American Sign Language interpretation, making it the most accessible option.
Both free streams start when the ball is illuminated at 6 p.m. ET and continue through the midnight drop and beyond.
| Free Option | Start Time | Requires Login | Captions/ASL |
|---|---|---|---|
| TimesSquareNYC.org | 6:00 p.m. ET | No | No |
| Times Square YouTube Channel | 6:00 p.m. ET | No | Yes (open captions + ASL) |
| ABC (free with antenna) | 8:00 p.m. ET | No | No |
| CBS (free with antenna) | 8:00 p.m. ET | No | No |
| NBC (free with antenna) | 10:30 p.m. ET | No | No |
Over-the-air antenna users can access ABC, CBS, and NBC entirely free with a basic digital antenna. These broadcast networks are still transmitted over the air and can be received by anyone with an antenna pointed toward a local tower.
What Time Is the Ball Drop in 2026?
Knowing the channel is only half the battle — you also need to know when to tune in so you do not miss the actual midnight moment.
The Times Square ball begins its descent at 11:59 p.m. ET on December 31, 2025. It takes exactly 60 seconds to drop, reaching the bottom precisely at 12:00 a.m. ET on January 1, 2026.
If you are watching from a different time zone, here is when midnight ET translates to your local time.
| Time Zone | Local Time When Ball Drops |
|---|---|
| Eastern Time (ET) | 12:00 a.m. January 1 |
| Central Time (CT) | 11:00 p.m. December 31 |
| Mountain Time (MT) | 10:00 p.m. December 31 |
| Pacific Time (PT) | 9:00 p.m. December 31 |
| Alaska Time (AKT) | 8:00 p.m. December 31 |
| Hawaii Time (HST) | 7:00 p.m. December 31 |
ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve features live countdowns for Central Time at 11 p.m. ET and Pacific Time at midnight PT (3 a.m. ET) as well, so western viewers can celebrate their own midnight moment too.
History of the Times Square Ball Drop
Understanding the history of the ball drop helps answer the broader question beyond just what channel is the ball drop on — it explains why this tradition has lasted over a century.
The first Times Square ball drop took place on December 31, 1907. The original ball was made of iron and wood, weighed 700 pounds, and was covered with 100 light bulbs. It was lowered from the flagpole atop One Times Square at midnight to mark the arrival of 1908.
The tradition replaced a fireworks display that the City of New York had banned for safety reasons. The ball drop turned out to be so popular that it became an annual event and has continued almost every year since — the only exceptions were 1942 and 1943 when wartime dimout restrictions prevented it. Even in those years, the crowd still gathered to hear church bells ring in the new year.
The ball has been redesigned multiple times over the decades. The current seventh generation ball was introduced for the 2025-26 celebration, replacing the sixth-generation ball that had been used since 2009. The new ball was described as having a completely different design with more digital interactivity built in.
| Ball Generation | Years Used | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| First ball | 1907–1920 | Iron and wood, 700 lbs, 100 light bulbs |
| Second ball | 1920–1955 | Wooden ball, smaller design |
| Third ball | 1955–1998 | Aluminum construction |
| Fourth ball | 1999–2000 | Millennium Ball, 504 lbs |
| Fifth ball | 2000–2008 | Geodesic sphere, 1,070 lbs |
| Sixth ball | 2009–2024 | Waterford Crystal panels, LED lighting |
| Seventh ball | 2025–present | New digital design, more interactive |
The sixth ball will be placed on permanent display at the new One Times Square museum scheduled to open in 2026, alongside a recreation of the original first ball.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: The Full History
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve is inseparable from the question of what channel is the ball drop on in America. The show created the modern template for televised New Year’s Eve coverage and has dominated the ratings for more than fifty years.
The show first aired in 1972 on NBC, created and hosted by the entertainer Dick Clark. It was designed as a contemporary alternative to the big-band broadcasts that had dominated New Year’s Eve television for decades. It moved to ABC the following year and has been there ever since.
Dick Clark hosted the show continuously until a stroke in 2004 affected his ability to speak on camera. He returned to the show in 2005 and continued appearing until his death in April 2012. After his passing, a crystal engraved with his name was added to the Times Square ball in 2013 as a permanent tribute.
Ryan Seacrest took over as host and executive producer and has led the show through its most consistent ratings period in decades. The show peaked at 25.6 million viewers for the 2017-18 edition — the most-watched New Year’s Eve special in American television history.
Watching the Ball Drop on Streaming Services: Complete Guide
Cord-cutters have more options than ever to catch the ball drop in 2026. Here is a complete breakdown of every major streaming service and what it offers for New Year’s Eve.
| Streaming Service | Monthly Price | Channels for Ball Drop | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hulu + Live TV | $89.99/month | ABC, CNN, CBS, NBC | No current trial |
| Fubo | $73.99/month ($25 off first month) | ABC, CBS, NBC | No current trial |
| DirecTV Stream (Entertainment) | $89.99/month | ABC, CNN, CBS, NBC | No current trial |
| Sling Blue | $50.99/month | ABC, CNN | No current trial |
| Sling Orange + Blue | $65.99/month | ABC, CNN, NBC | No current trial |
| YouTube TV | $72.99/month | ABC, CBS, NBC | No current trial |
| Peacock (NBC special only) | Free / $7.99 Premium | NBC only | Free tier available |
| Paramount+ (CBS special only) | $7.99/month | CBS only | 7-day trial |
| CNN.com/AllAccess (CNN special only) | Subscription required | CNN only | Varies |
For viewers who only want the actual midnight moment, the free Times Square website and YouTube streams are by far the most economical choice.
Watching from Outside the United States
If you are traveling or living outside the US and want to watch the ball drop on your preferred American channel, a VPN can help you access geo-restricted content.
Services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Private Internet Access allow you to virtually set your location to the United States. This means you can log in to your US streaming service account as normal and watch from anywhere in the world.
This is particularly useful for American expats who have active Hulu + Live TV or Fubo subscriptions and want to watch Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve from abroad.
Note that streaming services increasingly detect and block VPN traffic, so results may vary depending on the specific service and VPN provider you use.
The 2026 Times Square Ball: What Is New This Year
The 2026 edition introduces the seventh-generation Times Square ball, which debuted for the 2025-26 celebration. Organizers described the new ball as having a completely different and more digitally interactive design compared to its predecessor.
The Waterford Crystal panels continue with the 2026 themes of Infinite Life, Infinite Liberty, and Infinite Happiness — the latest installment in the ongoing Infinite Edition series that began several years ago.
A special collaboration with the United States Semiquincentennial Commission was also announced for the ball’s 2026 design, honoring America’s 250th anniversary of independence. A one-off special Independence Day ball drop event is planned for July 3, 2026, counting down to midnight on July 4 — the first time the ball drop tradition will officially be held outside of New Year’s Eve.
What to Expect at Times Square in Person
For those attending in person rather than watching on TV, Times Square on New Year’s Eve is one of the most immersive public celebrations in the world — and one of the most logistically demanding.
Times Square opens its viewing sections, called pens, in the late afternoon of December 31. Attendees are directed sequentially into different pens as they arrive. Security is strictly enforced by the NYPD throughout the evening, with additional measures in place.
Once you enter a pen, you cannot leave and re-enter. Restrooms are extremely limited. Food and drink vendors operate inside the pens but options are limited. Temperatures in Times Square on December 31 average between 25°F and 40°F (-4°C to 4°C), so layering clothing is essential.
The ball illumination ceremony begins at 6 p.m. ET with representatives from Carnival Cruise Line and Times Square New Year’s Eve flipping a giant light switch. The performance of The Star-Spangled Banner follows immediately after.
Channel Guide by Region: International Ball Drop Broadcasts
The Times Square ball drop is not just an American event — it is watched globally. Here is how to access coverage in major international regions.
| Country/Region | Best Option | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | BBC One / Sky News | BBC and Sky both cover Times Square countdown |
| Canada | CBC, CTV | Canadian networks carry Times Square coverage |
| Australia | ABC Australia, streaming | Coverage begins January 1 morning local time |
| Europe | CNN International | Available via cable, satellite, and streaming |
| Latin America | CNN en Español, Univision (US) | Univision airs ¡Feliz! with Raúl de Molina |
| Asia Pacific | CNN International, YouTube stream | Times Square official YouTube is globally accessible |
| Anywhere in world | Times Square YouTube | 100% free, no geo-restriction |
The Times Square official YouTube stream is the single most universally accessible option regardless of where in the world you are watching from.
Accessibility Options for the 2026 Ball Drop Broadcast
The 2026 New Year’s Eve coverage has made accessibility a priority, with multiple options available for viewers with hearing or visual impairments.
The Times Square official YouTube stream includes both open captions and American Sign Language interpretation throughout the entire broadcast — from the 6 p.m. ball illumination all the way through midnight.
ABC’s broadcast includes closed captioning available via the CC button on any television. Most streaming apps also allow closed captioning to be enabled through their settings menus.
CNN’s streaming coverage through CNN.com/AllAccess includes closed captioning and accessibility features built into the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What channel is the ball drop on in 2026?
The ball drop is primarily on ABC with Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, starting at 8 p.m. ET. CNN, CBS, and NBC also broadcast New Year’s Eve specials covering the midnight countdown.
What time does the ball drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve 2026?
The ball begins dropping at 11:59 p.m. ET and reaches the bottom exactly at 12:00 a.m. ET on January 1, 2026. Central Time viewers celebrate at 11:00 p.m. and Pacific Time viewers at 9:00 p.m. their local time.
Can I watch the ball drop for free without cable?
Yes. The official Times Square website at TimesSquareNYC.org and the Times Square official YouTube channel both stream the ball drop live and completely free, with no login or subscription required.
Who hosts the New Year’s Eve ball drop on ABC in 2026?
Ryan Seacrest hosts Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on ABC from Times Square, joined by co-host Rita Ora. Chance the Rapper co-hosts from Chicago and Rob Gronkowski and Julianne Hough co-host from Las Vegas.
What channel is Anderson Cooper’s New Year’s Eve show on in 2026?
Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen host New Year’s Eve Live on CNN, starting at 8 p.m. ET. This year it also streams exclusively on CNN’s new subscription platform at CNN.com/AllAccess.
Is the ball drop on NBC in 2026?
NBC airs A Toast to 2025!, a retrospective hosted by Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, starting at 10:30 p.m. ET. The Snoop Dogg special originally planned for NBC was postponed due to scheduling conflicts.
What streaming service shows the ball drop live?
Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, and YouTube TV all carry ABC and CNN live, giving access to the two main ball drop broadcasts. The Times Square YouTube channel also streams it free.
What channel is Nashville’s New Year’s Eve show on in 2026?
New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash airs on CBS starting at 8 p.m. ET with hosts Bert Kreischer and HARDY. It can be streamed via Paramount+, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, YouTube TV, or DirecTV Stream.
How do I watch the ball drop if I live outside the United States?
The Times Square official YouTube channel streams the ball drop globally for free with no geo-restriction. International viewers can also use a VPN to access their US streaming service subscriptions from abroad.
What is different about the 2026 Times Square ball?
The seventh-generation Times Square ball debuted for the 2025-26 celebration with a completely new design described as more digitally interactive. The 2026 Waterford Crystal themes are Infinite Life, Infinite Liberty, and Infinite Happiness.
Conclusion
What channel is the ball drop on has a clear answer for 2026 — ABC is your best bet for the most-watched New Year’s Eve special in America, with CNN, CBS, and NBC all offering compelling alternatives depending on your taste.
Whether you love Ryan Seacrest and Chappell Roan at Times Square on ABC, Anderson Cooper and Shakira on CNN, country music legends on CBS, or Hoda and Jenna on NBC, every major network has you covered.
And if you simply want the pure midnight moment with zero fuss, the Times Square official website and YouTube channel stream it free to the entire world. However you choose to watch, 2026 is ready to arrive in style.
