Here are the New Year's Eve 2025-2026 (ringing in 2026) coverage plans for the major networks. All times are Eastern, and these are live specials featuring music, countdowns, and celebrations (often including Times Square ball drop coverage where applicable).
ABC: Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026 — Live from Times Square (with segments from Las Vegas, Chicago, Puerto Rico, and more). Hosts: Ryan Seacrest (NYC/Times Square) with Rita Ora; Chance the Rapper (Central Time countdown from Chicago); Rob Gronkowski and Julianne Hough (Las Vegas). Features major performances (including Diana Ross headlining). Starts at 8:00 p.m. ET, runs until around 4:00 a.m. ET. Streams next day on Hulu.
CBS: New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash — Country music-themed special from Nashville (with the Music Note Drop at midnight). Hosts: Bert Kreischer and HARDY. Headliners: Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman, plus performances from Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, and more. Starts at 8:00 p.m. ET (with a break for local news), runs until around 1:30 a.m. ET. Streams on Paramount+.
NBC: No traditional live countdown special. The planned Snoop Dogg-hosted event was canceled due to scheduling conflicts (related to NBC's 2026 Winter Olympics coverage). Instead, a year-in-review special A Toast to 2025! airs around 10:30 p.m. ET (co-hosted by Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager). Followed by Fireworks Around the World at 12:30 a.m. ET.
Fox News: Three one-hour specials (year-in-review format, no live ball drop countdown).9:00 p.m. ET: A New Year with Kat & Tyrus (hosts: Kat Timpf and Tyrus, with guests).
8:00 p.m. ET: Who Can Forget 2025? (with Brian Kilmeade, Tomi Lahren, and others).
11:00 p.m. ET: All-American New Year’s Bash (host: Jimmy Failla, with Tomi Lahren and comedians). Focuses on recaps, not live celebrations.
CNN: New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen — Live from Times Square. Hosts: Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen (ninth year together). Features music, comedy, celebrity guests, and global coverage. All-day programming starts at 7:00 a.m. ET; primetime special at 8:00 p.m. ET (until around 12:30 a.m. ET). Streams on Max and CNN.com.
MSNOW: No dedicated New Year's Eve special announced.
For the Times Square ball drop itself (the most iconic moment), it's covered live on ABC, CNN, and via free webcasts on TimesSquareNYC.org and YouTube. Local affiliates may also air it. Check your local listings for exact times, as they can vary slightly.