How to watch ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ special tonight without cable

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The best deals to watch ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ without cable:

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Watch live for free

YouTube TV

2-day free trial, then $72.99 per month for 3 months
(save $30)

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Watch live for free

Fubo TV Pro program

7-day free trial, then $48.99 for your first month
(save $25)

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Ringing in the new year on your couch this year? You’re certainly not alone – especially with an all-star cast Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on hand to help count down to midnight.

The party is bigger than ever this year, as Rockin’ New Year’s Eve The special will be broadcast from multiple cities and time zones. Special hosts from beyond New York City and 42 different artists will join the festivities as we ring in 2026. Here’s everything you need to know about it Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026 (a mouthful, I know) — including how to watch it with or without cable.

What time is it? Rockin’ New Year’s Eve special beginning?

A year Rockin’ New Year’s Eve special will begin at 8 pm ET on Dec. 31 and is scheduled to run until 4 a.m. ET on New Year’s Day. This marks the longest broadcast in the show’s history.

Who owns and plays?

Ryan Seacrest returns to wrapping Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 21 years in a row. Rita Ora will be joining him as host for the third time.

In addition, Chance the Rapper will host the first-ever Central Time Zone countdown from Chicago, and four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski will join Dancing with the stars host Julianne Hough will broadcast from Las Vegas, and singer-songwriter Roselyn Sánchez will host from Puerto Rico.

As for the players, the list is stacked. Diana Ross will be the talk of New York City’s celebration with many hits from her iconic catalog. Other Times Square performers include Maren Morris, Little Big Town, Ciara, and LE SSERAFIM.

Other musical acts of the night include:

• Mariah Carey

• 50 Cent

• Demi Lovato

• Post Malone

• Chappell Roan

• My father is a Yankee

• KPop Demon Hunters: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X – EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI

• Chance the Rapper

• Lil Jon

• New Kids on the Block

• 4 Non-Blondes

• 6 lack

• AJR

• BigXthaPlug

• By DJ Cassidy Pass the Mic Live! Starring Busta Rhymes, TI, and Wyclef Jean

• It’s a movie

• Goo Dolls

• Jess Glynne

• Jessie Murph

• Jordan Davis

• Leon Thomas

• Madison Beer

• OneRepublic

• The Pitbull

• Rick Springfield

• Russell Dickerson

• All-American Rejects

• Tucker Wetmore

• Zara Larsson

A way of looking Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve live special

For those with cable or over-the-air TV, you can tune your TV to your local ABC channel or watch online through ABC.com or the ABC app by signing in with your pay TV service provider.

No cable access? Things get even more complicated. Your best (and easiest) option is to grab a digital antenna and get free access to local networks (if you live near broadcast towers). You also have the option of subscribing to a live TV streaming service to catch the festivities live. These services essentially work as alternatives to cable, allowing you to access live, well-rounded channel selections through your Internet connection (rather than a cable connection). There is no contract and they usually offer tests to test them. That means you can watch very well Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2026 live for free, then cancel before being charged. We’ve rounded up the best of those live TV options (including free trials) below.

Best Live TV Streaming Services (Cable Options)

If you prefer alternative cable, which will give you access to your local ABC channel and hundreds of other live channels, there are several live TV streaming services we recommend. And many of them offer free trials and introductory rates. Here are a few options to choose from.

Watch for free: YouTube TV

The basic YouTube TV plan includes over 100 live channels, including your local ABC network. You’ll also get unlimited DVR space, three simultaneous streams, and up to six accounts with personalized recommendations. Right now, the streaming service only offers a two-day free trial, but luckily, that’s all you need to tune into the live stream on New Year’s Eve. Then, your first three months will cost $72.99 per month instead of the regular $82.99 per month. Be sure to cancel before the end of your two-day trial if you want to avoid that charge.

Watch for free: FuboTV

FuboTV offers seven-day trials for newbies, giving you the ability to watch Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast on your local ABC station for free. You’ll get access to over 200 other networks, as well as unlimited cloud DVR, and up to 10 different screens. After your trial, your first month’s cost is $48.99 ($73.99 a month after that). Be sure to cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges.

Watch for free: Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV costs $89.99 per month, but it comes with a three-day free trial, which gives you the ability to watch. Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve for free. And you get more for your money, if you choose to keep it after your trial. Beyond the live TV feature, you’ll also get access to the full Hulu library, Disney+ (with ads), and ESPN Select.

Best long-term: Sling TV (select locations only)

Sling’s a la carte setup and affordable prices make it highly competitive in the live TV market. You can choose your package and channels depending on what you want to watch. To view the Rockin’ New Year’s Eve exclusive, you’ll need access to ABC, which is included in Sling’s Blue base package. Unfortunately, since ABC is a local network, it is only available in some local markets. Check to see if your local market includes ABC before you pull the trigger – Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, and more are included. Normally, the basic Sling package costs $50.99 per month, but you can get the Orange + Blue bundle for just $33 for your first month and save.

Watched it the next day on Hulu

If, for any reason, you want to tune in Rockin’ New Year’s Eve stream the day after it airs, you have the ability to do so on Hulu. Hulu still offers a free 30-day trial to new and eligible returning subscribers. If you’re not eligible for a trial period, you can also get a discount by choosing an annual subscription (save 16%) or a Disney+ bundle (save 45%).