What time does the New Year’s Eve show start is the most common question across the United States as viewers prepare for one of the most watched nights of the year. With multiple national broadcasts, live celebrations, and the world-famous Times Square ball drop, understanding exact start times helps viewers plan their evening without missing key moments. As of today, January 1, 2026, all major New Year’s Eve show schedules are confirmed and consistent nationwide.
This article delivers a complete, factual breakdown of when New Year’s Eve shows begin in the U.S., how long they run, how start times differ by time zone, and what viewers can expect throughout the night.
Why Knowing the New Year’s Eve Show Start Time Matters
New Year’s Eve programming does not follow a single format. Instead, it unfolds over several hours across television networks, live venues, and streaming platforms. Many viewers mistakenly believe shows begin close to midnight. In reality, the most popular broadcasts start much earlier.
Understanding start times helps people:
- Coordinate viewing with parties and gatherings
- Decide which network to watch first
- Avoid missing early performances or special moments
- Plan around work schedules or travel
- Sync celebrations with friends and family in other states
Because multiple shows begin at the same hour, accurate timing is essential.
What Time Does the New Year’s Eve Show Start on National TV
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
- Start Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Network: ABC
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve begins at 8:00 p.m. ET, officially launching prime-time New Year’s Eve television in the U.S. The show runs continuously through midnight and into the early hours of New Year’s Day.
The program features live performances, celebrity appearances, and coverage from multiple U.S. cities. The midnight countdown is synchronized with the Times Square ball drop.
This start time is consistent across all U.S. regions, adjusted locally by time zone.
CNN New Year’s Eve Live
- Start Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Network: CNN
CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live also starts at 8:00 p.m. ET, airing simultaneously with ABC’s flagship broadcast. The show offers a different viewing experience, combining live commentary, humor, celebrity guests, and performances.
CNN maintains live coverage through midnight and beyond, making it a popular alternative for viewers seeking a conversational style rather than a music-focused program.
What Time Does the Times Square New Year’s Eve Celebration Start
The Times Square celebration is the centerpiece of New Year’s Eve in the United States and follows a structured, multi-hour schedule.
Public Celebration Start Time
- Start Time: 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Location: Times Square, New York City
The official Times Square celebration begins at 6:00 p.m. ET with the ceremonial lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve Ball atop One Times Square. This moment signals the start of the evening’s festivities.
From early evening onward, Times Square hosts live performances, hourly countdowns, and entertainment leading up to midnight.
What Time Does the Ball Drop Countdown Start
- Countdown Begins: 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
The iconic final countdown starts exactly at 11:59 p.m. ET. The ball descends over 60 seconds and reaches the bottom precisely at midnight, marking the official arrival of the new year.
This moment is broadcast live across nearly all major U.S. networks and streaming platforms.
New Year’s Eve Show Start Times by U.S. Time Zone
Because most national broadcasts follow Eastern Time, viewers across the country should convert start times based on location.
| Time Zone | Show Start Time |
|---|---|
| Eastern (ET) | 8:00 p.m. |
| Central (CT) | 7:00 p.m. |
| Mountain (MT) | 6:00 p.m. |
| Pacific (PT) | 5:00 p.m. |
Times Square festivities beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET translate to 5:00 p.m. CT, 4:00 p.m. MT, and 3:00 p.m. PT.
What Time Does the New Year’s Eve Show Start on Streaming Services
Streaming has become a primary viewing method for many Americans. Start times remain the same as traditional television, but access depends on platform availability.
Common viewing options include:
- Live TV streaming services carrying ABC or CNN
- Network apps requiring TV provider authentication
- Official live streams of Times Square celebrations
Streaming viewers should log in early, as heavy traffic is common during the final hours of the year.
Local New Year’s Eve Shows and Regional Events
Beyond national broadcasts, many cities host their own New Year’s Eve shows.
Typical schedules include:
- Early evening activities: 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time
- Main performances: 8:00–10:30 p.m. local time
- Local countdown: 11:59 p.m. local time
While start times vary by city, most major local events align with national viewing habits and begin no later than 8:00 p.m.
How Long Do New Year’s Eve Shows Last
One key difference between New Year’s Eve programming and regular broadcasts is duration.
- Most national shows run four to six hours
- Coverage often extends one to three hours past midnight
- Viewers can watch countdowns from multiple U.S. time zones
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, in particular, continues into the early morning, offering extended performances after midnight.
Common Misconceptions About New Year’s Eve Show Timing
The Show Does Not Begin at Midnight
Midnight is the climax, not the beginning. Major broadcasts start hours earlier to build anticipation.
The Ball Drop Is Only One Segment
While iconic, the ball drop represents just one moment within a long broadcast filled with performances and commentary.
Best Time to Tune In for the Full Experience
For viewers who want uninterrupted coverage:
- Tune in 15–30 minutes before the scheduled start
- Aim for 7:30 p.m. ET to avoid missing opening segments
- Prepare devices and streaming apps in advance
Early preparation reduces technical issues and ensures smooth viewing.
Consistency of New Year’s Eve Show Start Times
Over recent years, New Year’s Eve show schedules have remained stable and predictable, helping millions of viewers plan their celebrations well in advance. National broadcasts consistently start at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, offering several hours of performances and live segments before the midnight hour. Times Square festivities reliably begin at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with early entertainment and crowd programming leading into the evening. The ball drop countdown always begins at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, culminating in the iconic moment when the illuminated New Year’s Eve Ball completes its descent to welcome the new year. This steady scheduling continued through the 2025–26 celebrations, with networks and event organizers reaffirming these start times well ahead of the holiday. The consistency of these confirmed hours allows viewers across the country — from coast to coast and across multiple time zones — to plan confidently year after year, whether tuning in at home, hosting gatherings, or participating in local events.
This consistency allows viewers to plan confidently year after year.
Quick Start Time Recap
- National TV shows: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Times Square celebration: 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Ball drop countdown: 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
These times reflect the most current and confirmed schedule as of January 1, 2026, and are consistent with national broadcast planning for New Year’s Eve coverage. Major programs like Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live begin promptly at 8:00 p.m. ET, giving viewers several hours of entertainment before the midnight countdown. The public festivities in Times Square open as early as 6:00 p.m. ET, providing extended live performances and crowd events leading up to the iconic 11:59 p.m. ball drop moment. Adjustments for local time zones ensure audiences across the country can tune in or attend at the right times, whether they are celebrating on the East Coast, Central, Mountain, or Pacific zones. These confirmed start times help you plan your evening without guesswork so you don’t miss a single performance, guest appearance, or historic moment as the nation rings in 2026.
Final Thoughts for Viewers
New Year’s Eve is one of the few nights when millions of Americans watch live television together, gather with friends or family, and share in the excitement of live music, performances, and countdown celebrations across the country. Knowing what time does the New Year’s Eve show start ensures you experience every performance, countdown, and celebration without rushing or confusion, whether you’re tuning in from the East Coast, West Coast, or anywhere in between. With major broadcasts beginning early in the evening and livestreams available nationwide, viewers can plan their night to catch opening acts, celebrity appearances, and the iconic final countdown. Being aware of the confirmed start times also helps avoid missing local pre-show events, special guest performances, and live moments from Times Square and other cities as the nation welcomes 2026 together.
Share how you spent New Year’s Eve and which show you watched as the clock struck midnight — your experience is part of the celebration.