Where to Watch the Times Square Ball Drop 2025: NBC’s Alternate New Year’s Eve Plans

NBC will not broadcast the iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop from Times Square this year. The network is airing its own pre-taped celebrity special instead. This marks another year the network opts out of live coverage from the famous crossroads.The special, “A Toast to 2025!”, will be hosted by Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager. It airs on December 31 at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time. According to network announcements, the show will feature a large lineup of NBC stars and comedians.

NBC’s History with New Year’s Eve Broadcasts

NBC has a varied history with New Year’s Eve. The network has shifted its approach many times over the past two decades. It once featured the ball drop as part of “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno.Carson Daly later brought his MTV-style celebration to NBC. His special moved to a late-night slot from Times Square. That show evolved into “NBC’s New Year’s Eve” before ending after the 2020 broadcast.More recently, Miley Cyrus hosted parties from Miami. NBC even aired a “Sunday Night Football” game on December 31 last year. The network’s strategy clearly favors produced entertainment over a simple live countdown.

Inside the 2025 “A Toast to 2025!” Special

This year’s two-hour special promises a retrospective of the year’s top moments. Kotb and Hager will be joined by dozens of familiar faces from across the NBCUniversal family. The guest list is a who’s who of network talent and celebrities.Notable attendees include “Today” show anchors like Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie. “SNL” alum Bobby Moynihan and comedians like Jim Gaffigan and Wanda Sykes will appear. Stars from NBC shows like “Bel-Air” and “American Ninja Warrior” are also scheduled.The special is filmed in advance. This allows for a polished, clip-heavy show without the chaos of a live Times Square feed. For viewers seeking the traditional countdown, other networks will carry it live.

Watch ABC Without Cable: Your Complete Guide to Live Streaming in 2025

If you want to see the actual ball drop live, you will need to tune to a different channel, as NBC’s New Year’s Eve coverage again takes a different path, focusing on celebrity camaraderie over the classic countdown.

Info at your fingertips

Is NBC showing the ball drop this year?

No, NBC is not airing the live Times Square ball drop. The network is broadcasting its own pre-recorded special, “A Toast to 2025!”, hosted by Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager instead.

What time is NBC’s New Year’s Eve special?

“A Toast to 2025!” airs on Wednesday, December 31, at 10:30 p.m. Eastern and Pacific Time. The special runs for two hours, leading up to midnight on the East Coast.

Where can I watch the live ball drop?

Major broadcast networks like ABC and CBS typically air live coverage from Times Square. Cable news channels like CNN and Fox News also provide live ball drop broadcasts with hosts and musical performances.

Who is hosting NBC’s New Year’s Eve show?

“Today” show co-hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager are hosting “A Toast to 2025!”. They will be joined by over 40 guest celebrities from across NBC’s news, entertainment, and sports divisions.