If you are gearing up for the new year celebrations and want to watch the Times Square Ball Drop, here is how to watch the times Square Ball Dop for free and without cable on New Year’s Eve.
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Ringing in the New Year: Your Ultimate Guide to a Stress-Free Celebration
As the clock struck midnight in the Line Islands, Samoa, and Tonga, technically marking the beginning of 2024, most Americans await the iconic Times Square ball drop to truly kickstart their New Year. However, attending this tradition in person can be costly and overwhelming. Why subject yourself to the chaos when you can usher in the New Year surrounded by friends, champagne, and Prosecco, all from the comfort of your own space? In this guide, we explore the myriad of ways to watch the ball drop, its 32,256 LEDs illuminating the night, even if you’re far from a television screen.
TV Channels and Shows: Airing the Spectacle
Watching the Times Square Ball drop is a breeze, even without a cable subscription, as it’s broadcasted over various networks. Ensure you have a reliable HD antenna by testing it in multiple locations within your home well before midnight.
Popular Shows Ringing in 2023
- Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest (ABC)
- Starting at 9 p.m. ET, running for 5.5 hours.
- Hosted by Ryan Seacrest and co-hosted by singer Rita Ora.
- Broadcasted on ABC.go.com if you’re not near a TV, though a cable subscription is required.
- New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash (CBS)
- Hosted by Elle King and Rachel Smith, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
- View for free on the CBS website and Paramount+.
- New Year’s Eve with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen (CNN)
- Airing at 8:00 p.m. ET, broadcasting live from Times Square.
- Live stream available on CNN.com’s homepage, CNNgo, and various apps for streaming.
Streaming Online for Free
For those opting for online streaming without a cable subscription, several platforms offer free access to the New Year’s Eve celebration.
- Peacock
- NBC’s streaming service offers a seven-day free trial, followed by a $5 or $10 monthly charge.
- Paramount+
- CBS’s streaming service provides a one-week free trial, followed by a $5 or $10 monthly charge.
- Disney+
- Disney’s bundle of Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ no longer offers a free trial.
- Monthly charges of $13.99 for all three combined or $19.99 per month for no ads on Hulu. Including Live TV in the bundle raises the price to $70 per month ($76 with no ads).
- Hulu with Live TV
- No longer offering a free trial, it will cost you $70 per month.
- YouTubeTV
- After up to a two-week trial, expect monthly charges of $65.
- Sling TV
- “Orange” plan at $40 per month, or the more comprehensive “Blue” plan at $55 per month.
- The seven-day free trial has disappeared, but the service is offering a 50% discount on the first month’s bill.
Conclusion: Embrace the New Year Comfortably
Say goodbye to the stress of attending the Times Square ball drop in person. With a multitude of TV broadcasts and online streaming options, you can welcome the New Year in style—surrounded by friends, good food, and without breaking the bank. Cheers to a joyful and cable-free New Year’s Eve celebration!
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