how to watch the ball drop without cable

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In the age of streaming platforms galore, many people don't tend to dabble in the finer arts of cable. Millions of people have become "cord-cutters," otherwise known as folks who cancel their cable or satellite subscriptions and just rely on Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, and other services for entertainment. While it's great for saving some cash, one of the better benefits of having cable is watching things as they happen live. And no, we aren't talking about The Bachelor (we'll get there soon enough)—IT'S NYE BALL DROPPING SEASON!

Yes, one of our more iconic traditions is a sight to see, but how can you see it without cable? Whether you're hosting a big going-away party for 2019 or just chilling at home with friends, here's how to watch the ball drop if you don't have cable.

1 AT&T TV Now

Formerly known as DirecTV Now (RIP), the on-demand streaming service will let you watch the ball drop for free during their week-long trial. After that, it goes up to $65/month. They are one of the few services that include HBO in their package along with more than 45 other channels, hence the higher price tag.

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2 Indoor HD TV Antenna

It's like the rabbit ear ones you used to mess with or sometimes see a character complain about in old movies, but now more user-friendly. A Digital Antenna allows you to watch TV for free without having to worry about the classic cable bill. Most of them cost under $30 and take minutes to install. It's a great long-term solution if you like to watch live events like the Oscars or the Super Bowl.

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3 YouTube TV

A classic video website, now with the cable lover in mind. YouTube offers over 70 different live channels, is the only service with unlimited DVR space, and doesn't require a contract. It offers a one-week free trial as well and then rings in at $49.99/month. The DVR is especially appealing for those who want to head to bed early, but still, want to witness the action when they wake up.

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4 Fubo TV

This service offers a free trial, but only for seven days. After the period ends, the service comes to $54.99/month, offering over 100 channels with local sports and news included (ball drop included, of course). This is great for people who tend to be forgetful, for Fubo will send you a reminder the day before your trial ends in case you want to cancel. How nice!

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5 Hulu + Live TV

If you already have Hulu, great, you're in the right place. If not, what are you waiting for? Now is the perfect time to redeem that free 30-days email they keep sending you. Speaking of free trials, Hulu + Live TV will let you have a free one week trial that gives you access to more than 50 live channels as well as their own produced content after that the product rings in at $44.99/month.

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