From ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ to ‘Nashville’s Big Bash,’ here’s how to watch this year’s biggest New Year’s Eve TV specials
This year, it seems like there are more ways than ever to celebrate New Year’s Eve…from the comfort of your couch, of course. Whether you want to grab the durable Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve hosted by Ryan Seacrest and filmed live from Times Square in New York, or watch one of the many other live specials filled with musical performances, comedy and celebrity guests, the choice is yours.
The Thursday evening TV schedule also includes New Year’s Eve Live: The Big Bash from Nashvillea star-studded celebration of country music featuring five hours of performances from some of Nashville’s most beloved stars, streaming on CBS and Paramount+, as well as New Year’s Eve Live on CNN with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohenand a live stream of the Times Square Ball as well.
Here’s everything you need to know about some of this year’s biggest New Year’s Eve TV specials, including channels, streaming information and much more.
How to watch New Year’s Eve Live: The Big Bash from Nashville
Date: Wednesday December 31, 2025
Time: 8:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+, DirecTV and more
What time is New Year’s Eve Live: The Big Bash from Nashville on?
New Year’s Eve Live: The Big Bash from Nashville starts at 8:00 p.m. ET. The event will be broadcast live in two segments, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET/PT and 10:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. ET/PT on CBS streaming on Paramount+.
Who appears at New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Party?
The Great Nashville Party features performances from headliners Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman, as well as special guests CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers who will all perform live from Nashville’s Bicentennial Park. Additionally, the five-hour special will feature performances by Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, Marcus King, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Stephen Wilson Jr. from various venues around the city. The evening will be hosted by comedian Bert Kreischer and country star HARDY, who will also perform. You can also expect additional appearances throughout the evening from comedian Dusty Slay, television host Cassie DiLaura, Sirius XM host Buzz Brainard and UFC champion Kayla Harrison.
How to watch Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve
Date: Wednesday December 31, 2025
Time: 8:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Streaming: Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV and more
What time is Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve?
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve hosted by Ryan Seacrest begins at 8 p.m. ET and continues until 4 a.m. ET, marking the longest New Year’s Eve broadcast ever. You can watch it live on ABC or stream it on DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and more.
Who appears at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve?
This year’s New Year’s Eve celebration won’t just take place in Times Square, the show will span multiple time zones, including hosts and performers stationed in Las Vegas, Chicago, Puerto Rico and beyond. In Chicago, Chance the Rapper co-hosts the show to help welcome the Midwest’s new year and lead the countdown live from the Central Time Zone. Rob Gronkowski and Julianne Hough will co-host the show in Las Vegas, and in New York, Ryan Seacrest will be joined by co-host Rita Ora.
The NYRE 2026 show will feature 42 superstar artists in New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, Puerto Rico and beyond. Diana Ross will headline the evening with a performance at midnight.
Ciara, THE SSERAFIM, Little Big Town and Maren Morris will perform in Times Square. On the West Coast, there will be performances from 4 Non Blondes, 50 Cent, 6lack, AJR, The All-American Rejects, BigXthaPlug, Charlie Puth, Demi Lovato, DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic Live! with Busta Rhymes, TI and Wyclef Jean, Goo Goo Dolls, Jess Glynne, Jessie Murph, Jordan Davis, KPop Demon Hunters: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI), Leon Thomas, Mariah Carey, Madison Beer, New Kids on the Block, OneRepublic, Pitbull joined by Lil Jon and Filmore, Rick Springfield, Russell Dickerson, Tucker Wetmore and Zara Larsson. Daddy Yankee will perform from Puerto Rico, Chappell Roan will perform from Kansas City and Post Malone will perform from Nashville.
How to watch New Year’s Eve Live on CNN with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen
Date: Wednesday December 31, 2025
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Streaming: Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV and more
Which appears on New Year’s Eve Live on CNN with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen?
CNN’s New Year’s Eve special will feature performances from Robyn, live from Times Square, Shakira from Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., Brandy and Monica from The Boy Is Mine Tour presented by BPC, Bryan Adams from Madison Square Garden, Florence + The Machine, RAYE, mentalist Oz Perlman, plus appearances from Amy Sedaris, Brandi Carlile, Aloe Blacc, Patti LaBelle, singer Michelle Williams, Rebecca Romijn and Jerry. O’Connell, comedians BJ Novak, Leanne Morgan, Sarah Sherman, Stephen Colbert and many others.
Free live stream of the NYC Times Square Ball Drop on New Year’s Eve:
There will be a free live stream of the Ball Drop on Timessquarenyc.org, providing commercial-free webcast coverage of the Times Square festivities leading up to the Ball Drop at midnight. There will also be a live stream with open captions and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation available on YouTube. Both live streams begin at 6 p.m. ET.
Watch the livestream for free
More Ways to Watch This Year’s New Year’s Eve Specials
