What Time Is CNN’s ‘New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen?’ How To Watch

Grab your champagne (and shot glass) because Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen are returning for the eighth consecutive year as cohosts of CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live—and it’s shaping up to be a festive and boozy night for the longtime friends.

Cooper and Cohen have become New Year’s staples as hosts of CNN’s lively celebration known for its fun atmosphere and viral moments—including Cooper’s infectious giggle. “We can’t wait for New Year’s Eve!” Cohen shared on Instagram earlier this month, adding, “We’re back!!!!! Can’t wait to have a ball while we watch the ball drop.”

ForbesWhat Time Is ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve?’ Here’s How To WatchBy Monica Mercuri

Throughout the night, CNN reporters will deliver live updates from celebrations nationwide, including Times Square and inside Madame Tussauds, Key West, Florida, Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, and Prescott, Arizona.

In 2023, the fan-favorite special drew 2.33 million viewers, marking a 12% increase from the previous year and securing the second-largest audience for its New Year’s Eve broadcast since its debut in 2007.

Here’s everything you need to know about watching the star-studded event, including the start time, viewing options on cable and streaming, performers and special guests, and more.

What Time Is CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen?

New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen begins at 8:00 p.m. ET on CNN. The show ends at 12:30 a.m. ET on New Year’s Day.

How To Watch New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen

New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will air on CNN and stream live on Max for subscribers. It will also be available on CNN.com and CNN’s connected TV and mobile apps for pay TV subscribers.

For those without cable, CNN can be accessed through several live TV streaming platforms, including DirecTV Stream, YouTubeTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, and more. All four platforms currently offer free trials, so you can watch New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen without paying a dime.

You can also tune in to New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen in cars or via the SiriusXM app on CNN (Channel 116).

Who Is Performing On New Year’s Eve Live With Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen?

New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will feature a lineup of musicians, comedians, and surprise guests, including 50 Cent, who will be performing live from his residency at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Other big names set to appear include Sting, Meghan Trainor, Shania Twain, Diplo, Lil Jon, Mickey Guyton, and Patti LaBelle.

The comedy lineup for the event features 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, and more.

Are Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen Allowed To Drink This New Year’s Eve?

Yes, Cooper and Cohen will be drinking during CNN’s 2025 New Year’s special. There was a brief hiatus on alcohol consumption during the 2023 telecast after Cohen made some controversial remarks on air.

While co-hosting that year, the Bravo host said, “If you look behind me, you’ll see Ryan Seacrest’s group of losers performing. I’m sorry but if you’re watching ABC, you’re watching nothing.”

Following the incident, CNN implemented a ban on alcohol for the program. “CNN said the correspondents will not be drinking,” Cohen confirmed to Rolling Stone at the time. “Anderson and I will be the people partying on CNN [though] we will be partying responsibly.”

The pause was short-lived, as alcohol officially returned to CNN’s New Year’s Eve celebration to welcome 2024. Now, heading into 2025, Cohen revealed he has plans to sip tequila and take shots throughout the night.

“I’ll be sipping tequila. We usually do a shot at the top of every hour, and then I will be sipping Fresca Mix during the show,” he told Delish. “The truth of the matter is, if I wasn’t on TV, I don’t think I would be doing a shot an hour. But there is something about the adrenaline. I have so much adrenaline during that four and a half/five hours that I’m standing there with Anderson. We have a lot to do. It’s almost like the adrenaline is a little bit of a barrier for me to actually get impaired. I can still host the show.”