Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen are back for their ninth year, and if you’ve watched them before, you know the drill: expect some tequila, a few live television mishaps, and a lot of genuine chemistry. Broadcasting from Times Square, the duo remains the gold standard for New Year’s Eve because they actually seem to be having as much fun as the crowd behind them. This year’s lineup is particularly massive, moving from the pop spectacle of Shakira and Robyn to legacy acts like Bryan Adams and Patti LaBelle. It’s a smart mix that handles the nostalgia of the 90s with Brandy and Monica while keeping things current with RAYE and Florence + The Machine.
The sheer scale of CNN’s global reach is what really sets this broadcast apart from the usual ball-drop coverage. While Anderson and Andy hold down the fort in New York, the network is deploying correspondents everywhere from the Arc de Triomphe to Bangkok to capture the world ringing in 2026. They’ve also leaned into the digital shift this year, offering the entire show through their new subscription platform—a move that acknowledges how many of us have ditched traditional cable but still want to see if Andy will finally cross a line that Anderson has to apologize for the next morning. It’s comprehensive, it’s slightly chaotic, and it’s the best way to feel connected to the global celebration from your couch.
As the night winds down in Times Square, the party shifts to Austin, Texas, where Sara Sidner and Cari Champion take over for the Central Time Zone countdown. Featuring performances from Vince Gill and The Head and The Heart, this late-night leg ensures the energy doesn’t dip after the ball falls in New York. With a guest list that includes everyone from Stephen Colbert to Flavor Flav, CNN has managed to curate an evening that feels like a true variety show for the modern age. It’s the kind of programming that reminds us that no matter how fractured the media landscape gets, we still want a central place to gather, laugh, and watch the clock strike midnight together.