Here are some of this year's biggest, most star-studded TV specials you can watch to help you ring in 2026. (CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images) CHARLY TRIBALLEAU via Getty Images This year, it seems like there are more ways than ever to celebrate New Year's Eve... from the comfort of your couch, that …
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
CHARLY TRIBALLEAU via Getty Images
This year, it seems like there are more ways than ever to celebrate New Year’s Eve… from the comfort of your couch, that is. Whether you want to catch the enduring Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve hosted by Ryan Seacrest and filmed live out of Times Square in New York City, or check out of one the many other live specials filled with music performances, comedy and celebrity guests, you’ve got options.
Thursday night’s TV schedule also includes New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, a star-studded celebration of country music featuring five hours of performances from some of Nashville’s most beloved stars, airing on CBS and Paramount+, plus CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, and a livestream of the Times Square ball drop, too.
Here’s everything you need to know about some of this year’s biggest New Year’s Eve TV specials, including channels, streaming info, and more.
How to watch New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025
Time: 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+, DirecTV + more
What time is New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash on?
New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash starts at 8:00 p.m. ET. The event will be broadcast live in two segments, from 8:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT and 10:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. ET/PT on CBS streaming on Paramount+.
Who is appearing at New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash?
Nashville’s Big Bash includes performances from, headliners Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman, and 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 across the city. The night will be hosted by comedian Bert Kreischer and country star HARDY, who will also perform. You can also expect additional appearances throughout the night by comedian Dusty Slay, TV host Cassie DiLaura, Sirius XM host Buzz Brainard and UFC champion Kayla Harrison.
How to watch Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025
Time: 8 p.m.- 4 a.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Streaming: Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV + more
What time is Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve?
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve hosted by Ryan Seacrest begins at 8 p.m. ET and runs all the way until 4 a.m. ET, marking its longest New Year’s Eve broadcast ever. You can tune in live on ABC, or stream it on DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and more.
Who is appearing at Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve?
This year’s New Year’s Eve celebration won’t just be taking 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 is co-hosting the broadcast to help welcome in the new year from the Midwest and lead the live Central Time Zone countdown. Rob Gronkowski and Julianne Hough will be co-hosting the Las Vegas broadcast, and in New York, Ryan Seacrest will be joined by co-host Rita Ora.
The 2026 NYRE broadcast will feature 42 superstar performers across New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, Puerto Rico and beyond. Diana Ross will headline the evening with a midnight performance.
Ciara, LE 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! featuring Busta Rhymes, T.I., 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 play from Nashville.
How to watch CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Streaming: Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV + more
Who is appearing on CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen?
CNN’s New Year’s Eve special will feature performances by Robyn, performing live from Times Square, Shakira performing from Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL, 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 B.J. Novak, Leanne Morgan, Sarah Sherman, Stephen Colbert and more.
NYC Times Square Ball Drop New Year’s Eve free livestream:
There will be a free livestream of the Ball Drop on Timessquarenyc.org, offering commercial-free, webcast coverage of the Times Square festivities leading up to the Ball Drop at midnight. There will also be a livestream with open captions and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation available on YouTube. Both livestreams begin at 6 p.m. ET.
More ways to watch this year’s New Year’s Eve specials
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/from-dick-clarks-new-years-rockin-eve-to-nashvilles-big-bash-heres-how-to-watch-this-years-biggest-new-years-eve-tv-specials-120016871.html?src=rss
Ashley Reymond
Ashley Reymond brings a unique blend of cultural fluency and economic insight to her writing. With a background in journalism and behavioral economics, she seamlessly connects lifestyle, fashion, and finance with global market trends. Her work often explores the intersection of social movements and economic shifts. Off-hours, she’s a lover of contemporary art and minimalist design.
