You’re hovering over the remote, trying to figure out if you have enough time to finish that last batch of sliders before the ball drops. We've all been there. It’s the biggest party of the year, but the schedule can be a bit of a maze if you aren't paying attention. If you’re asking what time does Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve start, the short answer is 8:00 p.m. ET.
But honestly? There is way more to it this year.
For the 2026 transition, ABC isn't just doing a quick countdown. They’ve actually expanded the whole thing. It is officially the longest broadcast in the history of the franchise. We are talking about a massive eight-hour marathon that doesn't wrap up until 4:00 a.m. ET on New Year’s Day. That is a lot of Ryan Seacrest.
The Exact Kickoff: What Time Does Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve Start?
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 31, 2025. The show begins its live national broadcast at 8:00 p.m. EST.
Now, if you’re on the West Coast, you’ve gotta be careful with how your local affiliate handles the feed. Usually, ABC tape-delays the performances so the ball "drops" at midnight in your local time, but many streaming platforms and cable "live" feeds will show the East Coast festivities as they happen. If you want to see the actual Times Square ball drop live at the moment it happens in New York, you'll be tuning in at 5:00 p.m. PT.
Why the 2026 Show is Different
This year is a beast. Usually, the show takes a break for the local news around 11:00 p.m., but the 2026 special has gobbled up even more airtime. They’ve added an extra 90 minutes of programming compared to previous years. This means more performances, more city check-ins, and probably a few more commercial breaks for whatever the hot new energy drink is in 2026.
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Ryan Seacrest is back for his 21st year. Think about that. He has been doing this since 2005. This year, he’s joined by Rita Ora in Times Square, but the show is basically a multi-city festival at this point.
Where the Party is Happening
While everyone focuses on New York, the broadcast is jumping all over the map. This is why the start time matters—you don't want to miss the specific countdown for your region.
- New York City (Times Square): The hub. Hosted by Seacrest and Rita Ora.
- Chicago: This is a big deal this year. Chance the Rapper is leading the first-ever live Central Time Zone countdown from the Chicago Riverwalk.
- Las Vegas: Rob Gronkowski is back (because of course he is) alongside Julianne Hough. They’re handling the West Coast/Pacific Time energy.
- Puerto Rico: Roselyn Sánchez is hosting the Atlantic Time Zone countdown from the grounds of the Puerto Rico Convention Center.
The 2026 Performer Lineup
You aren't just watching a clock. You’re watching a massive concert. The 2026 lineup is surprisingly heavy on legends.
Diana Ross is the headliner. She’s expected to perform a medley of hits including "I’m Coming Out" and "Upside Down." Apparently, "Upside Down" saw a massive 373% spike in streaming recently thanks to Stranger Things Season 5, so expect that to be a highlight.
The rest of the roster is a wild mix of "who’s who" and "oh, I remember them."
Mariah Carey is making an appearance from the Las Vegas stage. 50 Cent and Demi Lovato are also booked for Vegas sets. Over in Nashville and Kansas City, you’ve got Post Malone and Chappell Roan.
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Then there’s the "throwback" appeal. 4 Non Blondes, the Goo Goo Dolls, New Kids on the Block, and Rick Springfield are all on the list. It’s like they looked at every demographic and said, "Yeah, we want them watching." Even K-Pop fans are getting a nod with LE SSERAFIM and a special performance from the voices behind the HUNTR/X group.
How to Watch Without Cable
If you’ve cut the cord, don't panic. You don't need a dusty antenna to see the ball drop.
- Hulu + Live TV: This is the easiest way. It carries your local ABC station live.
- Fubo or DIRECTV STREAM: Both carry ABC in most markets.
- Sling TV: You’ll need the "Sling Blue" or "Orange & Blue" package to get ABC, though it’s only available in select major markets like NYC, LA, and Chicago.
- iHeartRadio: If you’re driving or stuck at work, the show is being broadcast across 150 radio stations, including Z100 in New York and KIIS-FM in LA.
If you somehow miss the whole thing because you fell asleep at 10:30 p.m. (no judgment), the entire special hits Hulu the next day, January 1.
A Quick Reality Check on the Ball Drop
People often ask what time does Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve start because they really just want to see the ball. The actual ball lowering begins at exactly 11:59 p.m. ET.
If you only care about the 60-second countdown, you honestly don't need to tune in at 8:00 p.m. However, the 2026 broadcast includes the "Powerball First Millionaire of the Year" drawing, which usually happens shortly after midnight. It’s one of those weird traditions that has become a staple of the show.
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Practical Steps for Your NYE Viewing
To make sure you actually see the transition into 2026 without technical glitches, here is the move:
Check your local ABC affiliate's schedule by 7:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Local news or "Year in Review" specials often run right up against the 8:00 p.m. start time, and you'll want to ensure your streaming app is updated. If you are using a VPN to watch from outside the US, set your server to a New York or Chicago location early, as those servers tend to get crowded and laggy the closer you get to midnight.
Plan to have your "main" viewing device ready by 11:30 p.m. ET. This is when the heavy hitters like Diana Ross and the final Times Square performances typically take place. Given that this is the longest broadcast ever, expect a lot of "fluff" in the 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. window—that's your prime time for food runs and social media posting.
If you are following the Chicago countdown with Chance the Rapper, remember that is a full hour after the New York ball drop, so don't turn off the TV once the confetti hits Times Square.