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If you’re ready to watch Anderson Cooper dodge tequila shots while Andy Cohen brings the chaos to Times Square, you’re in luck. The dynamic duo is returning for their eighth year of New Year’s Eve shenanigans, and it looks like the network is actually giving them both the green light to let loose again. Keep on reading ahead to find out how to watch CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live for free and catch every gloriously unscripted moment.
New Year’s Eve Live is CNN’s signature holiday special, broadcasting live from Times Square since 2001. While Anderson Cooper has been the show’s mainstay host since 2002, the special truly found its current identity when Andy Cohen joined in 2017, replacing previous co-host Kathy Griffin. The pair’s genuine friendship and unfiltered reactions have transformed what could be just another countdown show into must-watch television, complete with Cohen’s now-infamous tradition of tequila shots “at the top of every hour.”
Speaking with Variety recently, Cohen promised even more memorable moments this year, declaring, “After what Anderson did in that hurricane, I’m not only giving him tequila, I’m throwing it at him.” This playful reference to Cooper’s brave coverage of Hurricane Milton in Bradenton, Florida (where he literally took debris to the face while reporting) suggests we’re in for an especially spirited celebration this year.
So, where can viewers catch all the action of CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live? Read on ahead for how to watch what promises to be the most entertaining and unpredictable New Year’s Eve special on television.
When does CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live air?
CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen airs on December 31, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET on CNN. The main celebration kicks off after a day of global coverage that begins at 7:00 AM ET. As always, the Times Square Ball Drop happens on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at 12 a.m. ET.
How to watch CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live for free
CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live airs on CNN, which is available to stream on services like DirecTV Stream, Fubo, and Hulu+ With Live TV. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial, and starts at $86.99 per month after the trial ends (with $10 off your first three months). While Sling TV and Hulu+ With Live TV don’t have free trials, they are cheaper per month than the other options. Sling TV starts at $20 for your first month, Hulu+ With Live TV starts at $81.99 per month and offers plans that include free subscriptions to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.
Best Overall Pick to Watch CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live: DirecTV Stream
Direct TV is our best overall pick to watch CNN live for free for its free trial, price, and channel selection. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial. Direct TV offers four plans: Entertainment, which costs $86.99 per month; Choice, which costs $114.99 per month; Ultimate, which costs $129.99 per month; and Premiere, which costs $169.99 per month. CNN is available with all four plans.
As for other differences between the plans, Entertainment includes more than 75 channels, the ability to stream on unlimited devices in your home, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and a special offer on premium channels. Choice, which is the most popular plan, includes more than 105 channels, regional sports networks, and everything included in Entertainment. Ultimate includes more than 140 channels and everything included in Entertainment and Choice. Premiere includes more than 150 channels including premium channels like HBO and Starz and everything included in Entertainment, Choice, and Premiere. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with DirecTV Stream’s free trial.
- Visit streamtv.directv.com‘s packages page
- Click “Try It Free” for the plan of your choice
- Enter your information and payment method
- Search for CNN and start watching CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live
Best Budget Pick to Watch CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live: Sling TV
Sling TV is our best budget pick to watch CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live for free for its price and channel selection. Sling TV offers three plans: Sling Orange for $40 per month; Sling Blue for $45 per month; and Sling Orange + Blue for $60 per month. Sling also has a current deal where subscribers can sign up for 50 percent off their first month. All three plans include CNN.
As for the differences between the plans, Sling Orange, which is most suited toward sports and family channels, includes 32 channels and the ability to stream on one device at a time. Sling Orange, which is most suited toward news and entertainment channels, includes 42 channels and the ability to stream on three devices at a time. Sling Orange + Blue includes all the channels offered on both Sling Orange and Sling Blue, as well as the ability to stream on three devices at a time. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Sling TV.
- Visit Sling.com
- Click “Try Us Today”
- Create an account
- Select your plan
- Enter your payment information and check out
- Search for CNN and start watching CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live
Best Upgrade Pick to Watch CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live: Hulu+ Live TV
Hulu+ With Live TV is our best upgrade pick to watch CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live based on its channel selection and its free subscriptions to Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus. Hulu+ With Live TV offers four plans: a $81.99 per month plan with access to only live TV; a $82.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; a $87.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; and a $95.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with no ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads. CNN is included in all four plans. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Hulu+ Live TV.
- Visit Hulu.com/liveTV
- Click “Sign Up Now”
- Enter your information and payment method
- Search for CNN and start watching CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live
Who are the CNN New Year’s Eve Live hosts?
CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live is anchored by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen from Times Square in New York City. At 12:30 a.m. ET, CNN’s Sara Sidner, Harry Enten, and Cari Champion take over to count down the Central Time Zone from Austin’s Auditorium Shores. The special features an extensive network of correspondents covering celebrations worldwide, including Richard Quest in Times Square and inside Madame Tussauds, Randi Kaye from Key West, Florida, Stephanie Elam from Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, and Gary Tuchman from Prescott, Arizona.
The global coverage extends to major cities across every continent, with correspondents including Lynda Kinkade in Sydney, Mike Valerio in Seoul, Hanako Montgomery in Tokyo, Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong, Will Ripley in Bangkok, Bijan Hosseini in Tashkent, Becky Anderson in Dubai, Eleni Giokos in Athens, Melissa Bell in Paris, Larry Madowo in Luanda, Victoria Rubadiri in Nairobi, Pau Mosquera in Madrid, Isa Soares in London, Julia Vargas Jones in Rio de Janeiro, and Brianna Keilar, Julia Chatterley and Coy Wire in New York City.
Who are the CNN New Year’s Eve Live performers?
CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live will feature performances from an impressive lineup of artists. See the full list of performers below:
- Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas)
- Sting
- Meghan Trainor
- Shania Twain
- Diplo
- Mickey Guyton (performing “Imagine” live from Times Square)
- Lil Jon
- Patti LaBelle
What celebrities will be on CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live?
The special will include appearances from numerous celebrities and comedians. See the full list of special guests below:
- Roy Wood Jr.
- Amber Ruffin
- Michael Ian Black from CNN’s Have I Got News For You
- Whitney Cummings
- Amy Sedaris
- Sasheer Zamata
- Ziwe
- Adam Devine
CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live coverage begins December 31, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET on CNN.
