Hey there! As a fellow lottery enthusiast, I know how exciting it is to watch those shiny white balls bounce around right before the Powerball is drawn. But with so many channels airing the drawing, it can be confusing to know exactly how and where to tune in live. Not to worry – I‘ve got you covered with everything you need to know about watching Powerball on TV!
When Does the Powerball Drawing Happen?
Before we get into the channels, let‘s review the key details:
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Powerball drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
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The drawings take place at the Florida Lottery‘s studio in Tallahassee. An independent auditing firm oversees the integrity of the draw.
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Tickets can be purchased until 9:59 p.m. ET on the night of the drawing. Sales are cut off one hour before the balls drop.
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Each Powerball play costs $2. You choose 5 numbers from 1 to 69 and 1 Powerball from 1 to 26.
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The average jackpot is around $150 million but can grow to over $500 million.
So in summary – make sure to buy your tickets early and then tune in to your favorite station by 10:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday and Saturday nights to watch the action live!
What TV Channels Air the Powerball Drawing?
The Powerball drawing is broadcast on both local and national television stations across the United States. Here are the major networks that cover the Powerball results live:
Local TV Stations
- ABC
- NBC
- CBS
- Fox
- The CW
You‘ll want to check your local TV listings to find the exact channel. The drawing will usually be part of the evening news around 11 p.m. ET.
National TV Stations
Some of the most popular national stations that air Powerball include:
- New York: WABC-TV Channel 7
- Los Angeles: KABC-TV Channel 7
- Chicago: WLS-TV Channel 7
- Philadelphia: WPVI-TV Channel 6
- Dallas-Ft. Worth: WFAA-TV Channel 8
- Washington DC: WJLA-TV Channel 7
- Boston: WCVB-TV Channel 5
- Atlanta: WSB-TV Channel 2
These stations broadcast the live drawing as part of their late night news programming.
Live Streaming the Powerball Draw Online
If you don‘t have access to cable or local TV, don‘t worry! You can live stream the Powerball drawing on multiple websites:
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Powerball Website: Watch the drawing live at www.powerball.com about 10 minutes before the 10:59 p.m. ET start time.
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YouTube: The official Powerball YouTube channel posts the drawing at youtube.com/powerball.
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Facebook: Tune in live at the Powerball Facebook page.
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Twitter: Some drawings are streamed live on Twitter @PowerballUSA.
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Smartphone Apps: Download the free official Powerball apps for iOS or Android to watch anywhere.
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Local Station Sites: Check your local station‘s website, many stream the drawing live.
With so many options, you can cheer on those lucky numbers no matter where you are!
How to Know If You‘ve Won Powerball
Once those shiny white balls and bright red Powerball drop, how do you know if you‘re a new millionaire? Here are a few easy ways to find out:
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Compare the winning numbers announced during the live broadcast to the numbers on your ticket.
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Use the ticket checker feature in the official Powerball app.
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Visit the Powerball website where the latest winning numbers are posted.
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Scan your ticket at your local retailer‘s machine to instantly check for winners.
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Wait to hear the numbers announced on your local radio station or in the next day‘s newspaper.
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Sign your ticket once you‘ve checked – unsigned tickets are invalid if you do win!
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Winners have 180 days from the draw date to come forward and claim their prize.
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The average Powerball jackpot win is around $150 million but can reach over $500 million for record draws!
What to Expect During the Powerball Drawing Broadcast
Want to know what goes down during the broadcast? Here‘s an overview of how the Powerball show unfolds each time:
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Flashing Powerball logo opens the show
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Host welcomes viewers and reminds to play responsibly
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Details of current jackpot and rollovers provided
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Zoom in on secure drawing machine used to select numbers
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First 5 main numbers (white balls) are drawn, followed by Powerball
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Winning numbers recap with graphics
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Instructions provided for viewers to claim prizes
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Host closes out broadcast with final reminders
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Show ends with Powerball logo
The whole production takes just 5-10 minutes so get your popcorn ready!
Buying Tickets for the Next Powerball Draw
Want to get in the game for the upcoming drawing? Just follow these steps:
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Find an authorized Powerball retailer near you. There are over 44,000 located across the country.
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Purchase ticket before the 9:59 p.m. ET cutoff on drawing night.
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Choose 5 different numbers from 1 to 69, and 1 Powerball from 1 to 26.
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Get Quick Pick if you want randomly generated numbers.
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Each standard play is $2, add on Power Play for $1 per play to boost prizes.
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You can buy tickets for multiple future draws.
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Don‘t forget to sign your ticket for security and validity!
Well, that about covers everything you need to know about watching the Powerball drawing live on TV or online. Let me know if you have any other questions – until then, good luck and hope you‘re the next jackpot winner!
