Can we say something without everyone getting mad? It’s time to talk about New Year’s Eve. Listen, its not our fault if you’ve fallen behind on your holiday prep, or if your balsam scented candle burn-time isn’t tracking with our benchmarks. It’s high time to start thinking about your New Year’s Eve plans. Will you spend the holiday in a crowded room, hundreds of dollars in the red, and itching in an overpriced mini dress from Revolve’s “It Girl” capsule? Or rather, will you spend the holiday tipsy on your couch—this time off of bubbles, not wine. If you have zero intention to leave the house on New Year’s Eve, here’s how you can watch the annual Times Square ball drop from home.
But first, will there be a New Year’s Eve ball drop this year?
Of course, you silly fool! The powers at be—the major media conglomerates—have yet to roll out the details surrounding the broadcast, but we can promise you they are not about to break tradition after more than 100 years. I mean, 2024 is coming, and that ball is dropping, come rain or shine.
While we are absolutely, one-hundred percent certain about the dropping of that famed ball, that’s about all we know. The playmakers of the holiday have yet to reveal what surprises they have in store for us for the event, but in the past few years, we’ve been invited to celebrate the holiday with the likes of Miley Cyrus and Pete Davidson, as well as Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper.
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Reminder: watching the on-air hijinx is just as exhilarating as the final ten seconds of the ball drop. Remember when Miley’s chainmail fit broke on-bod mid-performance? Remember when Andy Cohen got sloshed on live television? New Year’s Eve is the greatest holiday on record, and we won’t be opening this up for discussion.
When can I watch?
There’s no monopoly here. The ball drop is covered pretty much across every major network. NBC, CNN, ABC—pick your poison. The respective broadcasts typically begin as early as 8 p.m. ET on December 31, but the ball drop always begins at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Can I stream the New Year’s Eve ball drop?
While we await streaming details from the major players, we can assure you that the ball drop will be streamable from your computer or phone on the Times Square official website. Happy viewing!
Who’s hosting what?
The holiday specials are still being cooked up in the high-rise offices of major media networks, but here’s what we know so far.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest on ABC: Nineteen-time host Ryan Seacrest will return to Times Square to celebrate the ball drop. His co-hosts are yet to be confirmed. It airs at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, but you can also stream it on ABC Live or through the ABC app.
New Year’s Eve With Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen on CNN: Our absolute faves Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen are back at it again as cohosts of CNN’s iteration of the New Year’s Eve festivities straight from Times Square. At BravoCon 2023, Cohen revealed that he begged CNN to reverse the drinking ban that was enforced after his drunken broadcast a few years ago. “Give the daddies some juice,” Cohen said. He really did say that. The special will air at 8 p.m. ET on CNN, but you can watch the live stream on CNNGo or through the CNN app.
New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash on CBS: CBS’s Nashville-based New Year’s bash will return for its third year for all the country music lovers out there. The event will celebrate 50 years of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and will feature performances from Thomas Rhett and Lainey Wilson, among others. It airs at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS, but you can watch the live stream on Paramount+.
Courtney Young is a freelance writer covering all things entertainment and pop culture, having previously written for Betches, Mic, and The Cut. Her Real Housewives locale of choice is New Jersey, her emotional support show is Girls, and her toxic trait is romanticizing mafia culture. You can follow her on Instagram @courtneyyoungg.
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Brooke LaMantia is an NYC-based culture and fashion freelance writer whose work has appeared in The Cut, Cosmopolitan, W Magazine, InStyle, NYLON, and more.
