I just cannot seem to get into the spirit of christmas or new year here in the States. I guess I am just so used to my own traditions in the UK.

New Years Eve is approaching and for me it doesnt matter how many balls drop in times square...lol it will never quite signify the start of the New Year like the chimes of Big Ben.

I searched last year for a site where I can watch and listen to this (albeit hours early) just to try and get in the spirit of things.

Does anyone know how or where you can listen or watch the UK ringing in 2008.

Thanks folks

I don't but I think that if someone does Neil would enjoy that too. I will search later on and see if I find something

I don't know if it will work over there but if you log onto
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
then "watch live" BBC News 24 near the top of the page.
Let me know if you can watch as I want to know this for when I move.
If you can then I'm 100% sure you will be able to see Big Ben strike the new year in on here.

Unfortunately you cannot get the uk version live you have to watch the international one. Who knows maybe this year they will show big ben!

I can't find a site that will show the chimes of Big Ben live at New Year but you might like to look at this -

http://www.camvista.com/england/london/tra...e_streaming.php

Live webcam streaming from Trafalgar square, in real time. I'm sure when it comes to new year it will show the celebrations

Just a thought

Thanks mustang-sally, I will take a look at that, as you say Trafalgar square will be good and who knows maybe the chimes will be heard in the background.

You can now get Sky News in the USA.
I would of thought they will be showing Big Ben ringing in the New Year - live.

http://www.skynewsinternational.com/watch/jalipo.php

You have to sign up with Jalipo which is pay per view, but you do get 200 free credits when you sign up and don't have to give any credit card details unless you want to purchase more, I noticed they have BBCWorld on there too.

I'm sure it'll be on whatever tv channel you might switch onto.

Broma, I just saw this and thought of you

Surely if the chimes are live then it won't really be New Year in the US though... or am I totally missing the point?! Either way - I think you can get recording software to download for free where you can record what is on your puter - if you were to record the BBC live then maybe you could re-enact it for your timezone?!

Just a thought

Never really thought about the chimes - I haven't moved yet but it is something so intrinsic to NYE that I can't imagine not having Big Ben chime... The thought had never crossed my mind that it wouldn't occur like that in the US...

Thanks Lisa do you know i found that yesterday as a myspace layout, but alas it had Happy New Year 2007. I was still gonna use it though just cos it had Big Ben on. I dont know if you have myspace but if you do check out broma25 you will see the exact same pic posted on there.

Thank you for thinking of me!!

And Happy New Year Lisa......and everyone else of course...lol

Had another brainwave but it might not work - have you tried bbc radio online? Again, it would be UK time and I am not sure if they would play the chimes but it might be worth looking into...

Thanks everyone for your help.

Tonight I discovered that UK Nova have live radio and am listening now. They may even do the chimes on the hour for those of us who live abroad.

Thats great news .

Boooo Hoooo they never did the chimes they did the National Athem and Auld Lang Syne.

Not the Same at all.............

that stinks Broma! My fiance played it for me over Skype, but it was also on Radio 4.

Yes it does.....I guess I will have to make do with the dropping of the ball...

No offence to Americans meant. Its just not the same for me!!

No offense taken! I can fully appreciate how synonymous Big Ben is with the UK New Year!

Awwww damn B! But maybe your local news will do a 'New Year's around the world' seg where they show it?

Is your prof on mysp private? I search for your name and the 'other site's' page comes up. But I think I found you in the comments.

Duh Lisa yes its private.....do you have a page? If not I will make it so you can see it!!

Sent ya my top secret url to my page.

ok Lisa sent you a add request

They showed extensive coverage of Bin Ben chiming and the fireworks on the Thames on BBC World News on BBC America as it goes out at 7pm ET it was live. Cannot agree more that the ball dropping just doesn't rank the same significance as Big Ben rinfing in the New Year. Happy new year to all.

Unfortunately i get cable as part of my rent package and it does not include BBC America....boo hoo

I did however download the BBC news 24 from UK nova. They did the chimes and the fireworks, so i played that just before midnight then watched the ball for hubby.

Drank some champagne and then to bed.

Happy New Year to all

Happy New Year guys Jeremy is still trying to explain the "ball" thing and I can't get over how lame it sounds... I think I will have to find some kind of recording... or invest in a good old fashioned grandfather clock!!

I've just seen it on youtube...

Will defo have to invest in a recording!! Maybe I can set the chimes as a backdrop to the ball dropping?! (Is it just me or does that sound a little dodgy...)

Excuse my ignorance but whats this ball dropping?
Whats dropping balls got to do with new year?
Last year I was in the USA for new year, the first year I spent new year outside the UK. I was texting everyone at 6pm, that was in midnight in the UK. I will be looking for the bells next year, Big Ben will always mean the new year to me.

Haha - it's something they do in Times Square - has been on TV for around 30 years over there apparently... I never heard of it until this year either!! At least I am prepared for next year now though!! Would have been a bit anti-climactic otherwise!!!

Basically (from what I can gather) there is a giant ball that slides down a pole (it sounds worse!!) in Times Square - it takes about a minute and for the last 20 seconds there is a countdown - when it gets to the bottom it triggers a switch which lights up a sign saying the year it now is, people whoop and shout and go crazy etc

Call me patriotic but it's not a patch on Big Ben

Well give me Big Ben over Big Balls any day
I will be like Broma, looking for the UK new year over there, hopefully I will be able to get BBC America or something similar.

I think if you are brought up with Big Ben on New Years Eve, then nothing else will do. Now I have my recording courtesy of UK Nova (who are the best I have to add). I will be keeping it for future years.

Hopefully next year we will finally have a house, I will have a big new years eve party for all my neighbours and show them a good old fashioned English New Years Eve!!!

Bruce got to see the ball dropping this year for the first time* and pronounced it fantastic. I asked him if he ever wanted to see/hear Big Ben again at New Year's, and he asked, "Whatever for?" Chacun a son gout, I s'pose!

*Technically, he could have seen it last year as we were over here for our wedding, but as I was SO hungover from our reception the day before we didn't celebrate at all. I believe we were at a friend's house instead of celebrating, drinking coffee and listening to Hank Williams, Sr.!?!?!?!