Homeway
2027 Spring Festival Gala · Feb 5

Far from home,still watching the Gala live.

It only comes once a year. Switch on Homeway, open the video app you normally watch live TV in, and catch the opening and the midnight countdown at the same moment as everyone back home. Works on TV, phone and computer, with full picture quality and no effect on your other apps.

See how to set it up Download free

New users get a free 7-day trial, no card required. Set it up a day or two before New Year’s Eve and give it a try.

When does the Gala start where you are?

The Spring Festival Gala starts at 8 p.m. Beijing time on Chinese New Year’s Eve and runs for about four and a half hours. In 2027, New Year’s Eve falls on February 5. Here’s the local start time around the world.

Beijing · Taipei · Singapore · Kuala LumpurFeb 5, 8:00 p.m.
Tokyo · SeoulFeb 5, 9:00 p.m.
Sydney · MelbourneFeb 5, 11:00 p.m.
AucklandFeb 6, 1:00 a.m.
London · DublinFeb 5, 12:00 noon
Paris · Berlin · RomeFeb 5, 1:00 p.m.
New York · TorontoFeb 5, 7:00 a.m.
Chicago · Calgary · EdmontonFeb 5, 6:00 a.m.
VancouverFeb 5, 5:00 a.m.
Los Angeles · San Francisco · SeattleFeb 5, 4:00 a.m.

Falls on a weekday morning or lunchtime in Europe or North America? The major video apps usually offer the full replay, and it works with Homeway just the same. For full time-zone tables, see the country guides.

Three steps on every device

No new apps, no new accounts. Install Homeway, open the moon gate, then find the Gala live stream in the video app you already use.

On your TV

Android TV, Google TV, Xiaomi and other Android TVs and TV boxes

  1. Search for “Homeway” on Google Play on your TV. Box without the Play Store? Open homeway.tv/tv in an app like Downloader to install it.
  2. Open Homeway on the TV. Scan the QR code or enter the activation code on your phone to sign in — no typing your email with a remote.
  3. Tap the moon gate. Once moonlight glows inside, open your usual video app on the TV and go to the Gala live stream.
GET IT ONGoogle Play Download TV APK

Samsung and LG TVs aren’t supported natively yet — plug in an Android TV box instead. See Samsung and LG TVs.

On your phone or tablet

Android 7.0 or later; iOS 15.1 or later

  1. On Android, install Homeway from Google Play or download the APK. On iPhone and iPad, install it from the App Store.
  2. Sign in with a code sent to your email. New users start a free 7-day trial automatically.
  3. Light up the moon gate and open your usual video app to watch the Gala live. Want it on the big screen? Use the app’s built-in casting.
GET IT ONGoogle Play Download APK Get it for iPhone

After the trial, keep using Homeway on one phone for free.

On your computer

Windows 10 / 11; Chrome, Edge and Firefox on desktop

  1. Watching in a desktop video app? Download Homeway for Windows. Watching in the browser? Add the Homeway extension.
  2. Sign in to your Homeway account and switch it on.
  3. Open the Gala live stream in the app or on the video site. The extension only routes supported video sites; everything else connects directly.
Download for Windows Add to Chrome Add to Edge Add to Firefox

The Free plan doesn’t cover computers. Use it during your trial or with a subscription.

Five minutes of prep before New Year’s Eve

Set up early, test once

Install Homeway a day or two before and try any live channel, so there’s no scrambling when the show starts.

Time your trial for Gala night

New users get a free 7-day trial from their first sign-in, on TV, phone and computer. Start on January 30 or later and you’re still in your trial on Gala night.

Full picture quality

Video still streams straight from the server nearest you, with no detours — smooth on the big screen with the whole family watching.

Watch as a family

The trial and the Standard plan cover 2 devices at once, the Family plan 5. The Gala on the living-room TV, red envelopes and live comments on your phone.

FAQ

Is there a delay watching the Gala live from abroad?

You’ll be roughly in sync with viewers back home. Homeway doesn’t send video on a detour — it still streams straight from the server nearest you — so the delay is mostly the video app’s own live-stream delay.

What about picture quality? Can I watch in HD?

Full picture quality. Every resolution the video app offers is available, and 1080p and 4K play smoothly. If the picture ever looks soft, the app has probably lowered the resolution on its own — just switch it back to HD.

Which app should I use to watch the Gala live?

The Gala is broadcast by CCTV, so the most direct option is the CCTV-1 live channel in the CCTV Video (Yangshipin) app, available on phone, TV and the web. Other popular video apps often carry a live stream or replay too, depending on that year’s arrangements. For step-by-step instructions, see watching CCTV live abroad.

Do I need a video app membership to watch the Gala?

The Gala live stream is usually free to watch on the major video apps. Homeway takes care of region restrictions only and doesn’t include memberships; if some content is members-only, sign in to your own membership account in that app.

Does Homeway cost money? Is there a free trial?

Yes, there’s a free trial. New users get 7 days free from their first sign-in, on TV, phone and computer, with no card required. When it ends you move to the Free plan automatically and can keep using Homeway on one phone at no cost. To keep using it on a TV, a computer or several devices, subscribe to the Standard or Family plan.

Will it work on the TV at home?

TVs and boxes running Android TV / Google TV, plus most Android-based Chinese-brand TVs (such as Xiaomi), can install the TV version. Samsung (Tizen) and LG (webOS) TVs aren’t supported natively yet — plug in an Android TV box instead.

Will Homeway affect my other apps?

No. Homeway only works on supported video apps. Local streaming sites, browsing, games and video calls carry on as usual, with nothing slowing down — so you can watch the Gala and video-call family with New Year wishes at the same time.

Missed it live — can I watch the replay?

Yes. After the Gala, the major video apps usually offer the full replay and individual performances, and they work with Homeway just the same.

This New Year’s Eve, count down with home.

Choose your device and try it free for 7 days.

Download free About Homeway