New York City's sparkling New Year's Eve bash excites everyone. Yet, finding the best TV streaming services to watch this monumental event can be a confusing task for millions across the globe.
Loads of choices for streaming are out there, making it a yearly puzzle for viewers who want to catch the ball drop. We'll give you the backstory and the scoop on choosing TV streaming services that will give you every second of the celebrations straight from Times Square to your cozy living room sofa.
» Find out why you should change to a streaming service.
New Year's Ball Drop Streaming Services at a Glance:
- Sling TV: Best service to stream the NYE ball drop overall
- Hulu + Live TV: Best for post-celebration entertainment
- DirecTV Stream: Best for virtual watch parties
- fuboTV: Best for high-quality streaming
- Vidgo: Best for bilingual English and Spanish viewers
1. Sling TV
Event name: CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live
Channel: CNN
Price: From $35/month
Sling TV stands as a top choice for those looking to stream the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. It offers a wide range of channels, including those broadcasting the event, ensuring you won’t miss a single moment of the countdown. Additionally, with Sling TV's extensive DVR storage, you can record the event and relive the celebration at your leisure.
Sling TV offers an enhanced viewing experience with its 4K HDR capabilities, bringing exceptional visual quality to all its content. Sports enthusiasts will particularly appreciate the over 100 live sports streaming options available, making Sling TV a comprehensive choice for diverse entertainment needs.
Why we chose Sling TV:
- Versatile streaming with customizable views
- Free, ad-supported plan available
- Cloud DVR records up to 50 hours
2. Hulu + Live TV
Event name: Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
Channel: ABC
Price: From $69.99/month
Hulu + Live TV, owned by Disney, is a great choice for streaming the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, offering a seamless blend of live and on-demand TV shows. With Hulu + Live TV, you're not just getting a front-row seat to the Ball Drop; you're also unlocking a world of post-celebration entertainment at no additional cost. This feature makes it an ideal choice for those looking to continue the festivities long after the clock strikes midnight.
Navigating the service is straightforward: select the “Live” tab in the Hulu app to access a guide of currently airing and upcoming programs, including the live broadcast of the Ball Drop on channels like ABC. Once the event concludes, you can easily switch to a movie, series, or show from Hulu’s extensive content library, keeping the entertainment going into the new year.
Why we chose Hulu + Live TV:
- Sports, on-demand content, and live TV in one
- It's bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+
- Watch with seven friends
3. DirecTV Stream
Event name: Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
Channel: ABC
Price: From $69.99/month
DirecTV Stream emerges as an innovative choice for those looking to stream the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, especially for those who enjoy sharing the experience with friends and family.
Beyond offering a wide range of channels, including key networks like ABC for the live event, DirecTV Stream uniquely enables virtual watch parties. This feature allows viewers to celebrate together, regardless of physical distance, making it an excellent choice for those who value community and shared experiences during significant events.
Their cloud DVR feature also allows you to record the event and relive the countdown at your convenience. So, whether you’re celebrating in sync with Times Square or at a time that suits your timezone, DirecTV Stream caters to your needs.
Why we chose DirecTV Stream:
- Throw virtual watch parties with unlimited devices
- Can stream content in 4K Ultra HD
- Wide channel lineup covers sports, news, entertainment
4. fuboTV
Event name: Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
Channel: ABC
Price: From $64.99/month
fuboTV stands out as a comprehensive streaming service with over 100 channels in both English and Spanish, including key networks like ABC and CNN for live coverage of the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. This means not only can you join in the countdown to the new year, but also enjoy a wide range of entertainment, sports, and news programs.
fubo also offers features such as 250 to 1,000 hours of DVR storage and 4K HDR support, ensuring top-quality picture and sound for an immersive viewing experience. Additionally, sports enthusiasts will find more than 100 live sports streaming options, including coverage of major leagues.
Why we chose fuboTV:
- Offers between 250 to 1,000 hours of DVR storage
- 4K HDR for top-quality picture and sound
- 100+ live sports streaming options, including major leagues
5. Vidgo
Event name: Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
Channel: ABC
Price: $59.95/month
Vidgo sets itself apart as a streaming service with unique social viewing features, perfect for the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. With Vidgo, you can enjoy the thrill of the countdown while chatting and sharing the experience with friends and family, no matter where everyone is located.
In addition to its social features, Vidgo offers practicality with its digital video recorder. This cloud-based DVR ensures that even if you doze off before the clock strikes twelve, you won’t miss out. You can relive the excitement of the Ball Drop at your convenience, ensuring that you start the new year without missing a beat.
Why we choose Vidgo:
- Chat and live event reactions
- 72-hour playback for catch-up or rewatching
- Plans cater to English and Spanish speakers
» Not sure which to choose? Find out why you should bundle your streaming services.
Alternative Viewing Options
Mobile Streaming
For those who wish to experience the excitement live, various free live webcams such as Earth Cam, Skyline, and Webcam Taxi offer real-time views of the festivities. While these platforms are widely accessible, please note that availability may vary by region.
Additionally, mobile streaming is available for free on several websites including:
Social Media Coverage
This year, social media will also play a pivotal role in bringing the Times Square New Year's Eve celebrations to a global audience.
Twitter users can tune in to the official Times Square Show by following @TimesSquareNYC, where the event will be live-streamed, ensuring you won't miss a moment.
Similarly, Facebook users can join the live coverage at facebook.com/timessquarenyc. These platforms offer an interactive and engaging way to be part of the festivities, regardless of where you are.
Television Broadcasts
For a more traditional viewing experience, television broadcasts will be available with star-studded lineups and entertaining hosts. These will include:
- ABC's "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest": Featuring hosts Rita Ora, Jeannie Mai, and Dayanara Torres, and performances by Ellie Goulding, Green Day, Ludacris, and more. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET.
- CNN with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen: A night of entertainment with Usher, Patti LaBelle, REO Speedwagon, and others.
Special Highlights of the 2024 Times Square Performance
The upcoming Times Square New Year's Eve celebration promises an array of special highlights.
Taking on the role of hosts for this grand event are Jonathan Bennett and Jeremy Hassell, who are set to bring their unique charm and energy to the night.
The performance lineup is equally impressive, featuring renowned artists like Paul Anka and Flo Rida, who are known for their electrifying stage presence.
Additionally, a special post-midnight show will be presented by Fontainebleau, live from Las Vegas, adding a touch of glamour and excitement.
Adding to the cultural diversity of the event, the Sino-American Friendship Association is scheduled to present a captivating Chinese cultural performance, beginning at 6 p.m. ET.
» Learn how to move beyond traditional cable TV.
Embrace the New Year with the Perfect Stream
No matter what draws you to the New Year's Eve celebrations – be it the dazzling fireworks, the star-studded performances, or the timeless tradition of the Ball Drop – there's a streaming option tailored to your preferences.
Whether it's Sling TV for comprehensive coverage, Hulu + Live TV for extended post-event entertainment, DirecTV Stream for virtual watch parties, fuboTV for high-quality streaming, or Vidgo for a social experience, each service offers a unique way to enjoy the iconic New Year's Eve Ball Drop.
With these services, experiencing the iconic New Year's Eve Ball Drop is more accessible and enjoyable than ever. Get ready to welcome the New Year with the perfect stream, and create unforgettable memories from the comfort of your home.
» Still unsure about streaming? Check these ten reasons to switch to live TV.
