How to Watch Die Hard on ABC and DIRECTV in 2026
By American TV editorial team |
"Die Hard" airs Sunday, December 6, 2026, from 8:02 to 11 p.m. on ABC. A New York cop trapped in a high-rise during a Christmas Eve heist must fight to save his wife and everyone inside. Bruce Willis stars as John McClane in the 1988 action film, which many fans count as a Christmas movie. On DIRECTV, it's on your local ABC station.
Plan more holiday viewing with our Christmas Day parade guide and compare DIRECTV options for local-channel availability.
The movie is part of ABC's 2026 holiday lineup and follows a holiday episode of America's Funniest Home Videos, which airs from 7 to 8:02 p.m. with nine of the season's best videos competing for the $100,000 grand prize.
When and where to watch
| How to watch | When |
|---|---|
| ABC (local station on DIRECTV) | Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, 8:02 to 11 p.m. ET/PT |
| Before the movie on ABC | America's Funniest Home Videos holiday episode, 7 to 8:02 p.m. ET |
| Later in December on ABC | "Father of the Bride," Sunday, Dec. 20, 8:33 to 11 p.m. |
ABC lists the time as Eastern and Pacific, so check your local ABC listing if you're in the Central or Mountain time zone. Because it's a network TV airing, expect commercial breaks and an edited-for-broadcast version of the R-rated film. ABC hasn't said whether this broadcast will stream anywhere.
How to watch on DIRECTV
ABC is a local channel on DIRECTV in most markets. The movie starts at 8:02 p.m., not 8 p.m. sharp, so if you record it, add a few extra minutes at the end in case the broadcast runs long. To find your station, see what channel ABC is in your area. Before the movie, here's how to watch AFV's holiday episode, and for Christmas Eve, here's how to watch Home Alone on ABC. For help adding local channels to your DIRECTV package, call American TV at 1-855-690-9884.
Want live TV, local channels and your favorite networks in one place? Check DIRECTV options at your address or call 1-855-690-9884.
Date, time and description are from ABC's 2026 holiday schedule (Oct. 27, 2026). Details may change. Die Hard, ABC, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent DIRECTV dealer and resource site.