Times Square gets personal fast, with your own photo or video on a giant billboard. I like how this turns a standard NYC photo stop into a real, time-based moment: your content runs 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours right in the middle of the action.

Two things I really like: the sheer repetition (you get multiple chances to catch your display), and the option to make it feel tailored with a custom frame plus a line of text. The one drawback to plan for is that Times Square is bright and busy, so you may not always see your exact upload clearly from every angle, and you will need to time your arrival for your slot.

The big promise: 24 hours of hourly fame

Here is the core idea. You upload a photo or short video of your choice, and the billboard shows it for 15 seconds each hour for a full day on your selected date. You are not gambling on one single moment, you are buying a streak of showtimes across daytime and night.

The main thing to consider: timing and visibility

Your display time matters. Even though you get a run throughout the day, the billboard does not show you nonstop, it plays on a set hourly schedule, so you will want to arrive around your assigned time and be ready to look up. Also, glare and crowd angles can affect what is easiest to capture on camera.

Key things to know before you go

• 15-second shows every hour for 24 hours, so you get many chances to spot yourself
• 1560 Broadway billboard location above the Pelé store, across from the TKTS red steps
• Custom frames and short text, ideal for birthdays, engagements, and special announcements
• Live stream online, so friends and family can watch from anywhere
• Strict file rules (no logos, watermarks, QR codes, or inappropriate content) to avoid denial
• Your slot locks only after you upload, so don’t take forever to submit

Where the billboard is, and how to find it without stress

Let’s get the practical part out of the way first. The billboard sits at 1560 Broadway, between 46th and 47th St. You will find it above the Pelé store, and it is directly across the street from the TKTS red steps.

This location is great because it is a navigation anchor. If you are already walking the Times Square loop, you can orient yourself quickly by the TKTS stairs, then look up for the Pelé store and the billboard above it. The billboard is also fully accessible from Broadway, which matters because Times Square sidewalks can feel like a slow-moving puzzle at peak hours.

One small reality check: Maps can be messy in Midtown. I would build in extra buffer the day you plan to visit. The crowd density here means you are less likely to get lost for long, but you are also less likely to move fast. Aim to arrive early, even if only by 10 to 20 minutes.

And yes, you will want to physically locate the sign. The live stream is nice, but the whole point is standing there under your own image in one of the most photographed places on earth.

Your 24-hour schedule: how the hourly 15 seconds really plays out

This experience is not one moment, it is a rolling loop. Your content is shown for 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours on your chosen date. That pattern is exactly what makes it different from typical one-time surprises.

Two practical benefits come from that repetition:

First, it lowers the pressure. If you miss your exact hour, you will likely catch it the next time around. Multiple people in the real world talk about waiting around to see the display once, then spotting it again later. That is the advantage of buying time on a billboard, not just a single flash.

Second, it gives you a built-in mini plan for your day. You can structure your NYC outing with the billboard in mind. Grab lunch, shop nearby, do your next attraction, then come back and look up for the next hour. If you have a family member who gets anxious about attention, you can still make it happen with less chaos because there is no single, do-or-die second.

There is also a reassurance built in. The provider notes you are guaranteed 22 showtimes within the 24 hours if technical issues occur. That does not mean you should ignore the schedule, but it does mean there is a safety net in place.

When to show up: catching your slot in a bright, loud plaza

Your confirmation includes an assigned time slot, and that is what you should build your visit around. Your content will appear above the Pelé store area during your scheduled hourly window. If you want the best odds of seeing it clearly with your own eyes, show up with enough time to find your spot, then wait near the billboard and watch for your turn.

A few timing tips based on what people reported:

• Expect that your hourly slot might land at an early hour, depending on your chosen date and time zone. Some bookings reported a very early start on the first day. So check the time in the system you are using, then plan accordingly.
• If you are visiting at a busy time, do not assume you can casually stroll up and catch it. You often need to slow down, look up, and be ready. One common theme is it comes quickly, so do not blink and look away at the wrong time.
• If you want to recreate a surprise moment, you will need coordination. Arrive, spot the exact moment it appears, and then react in sync with the person you planned the surprise for.

Also, quick note about viewing quality. Bright Times Square signage can cause glare, especially in photos. Many people say the experience feels better in person than trying to capture every detail on a phone screen. If your goal is a screen-perfect photo, plan for a couple attempts, not just one.

Uploading your photo or video: the rules you must follow

Here is where most of the success or disappointment will come from: what you submit, and how fast you submit it.

After you buy, you will get a code used for the upload. Your slot is not reserved until you upload your photo or video, so do not take a long coffee break before submission. The main idea is simple, the billboard schedule depends on your finalized content.

You also have flexibility, within limits:

• You can change your photo or video at any time as long as it is requested 24 hours in advance of your display date.
• You can only change it if your image or video has not already been displayed.

Now the file restrictions. Your upload can be denied if it includes things like watermarks, brands, logos, nudity, smoking, or vulgarity. Submissions that resemble advertisements are also declined. That includes things like a logo, QR code, link, or anything that looks like an ad. Social media links from independent professionals or freelancers can also be declined.

So think like a billboard editor. Keep it clean, keep it personal, and avoid anything that looks corporate or promotional.

File type details like length or exact formats are not listed in what you provided, so I would treat the safest approach as a simple, clear photo or a short, readable video frame that looks good on a giant screen.

Frames, text, and making it feel like your moment

The billboard setup is not one-size-fits-all. You can choose a custom frame for your photo, then add a short line of text that appears on the display.

The available frame themes include:

• A standard option
• Messages like Happy Birthday
• Congratulations
• Will you marry me

That is a big deal for value, because it means you are not only buying screen time, you are buying a design that reads instantly at street level. A billboard is far from your face. Frames and text help people understand what they are seeing without squinting.

One tip I would use if you want maximum impact: design for distance. Choose a photo where faces are clear and the subject stands out. If you create a collage, aim for legible faces and avoid tiny text inside the image. One person noted that their collage displayed clearly, so it seems possible, but the key is readability.

If you are planning a surprise, your text can do the heavy lifting. A short message like a name and date can help the person you are surprising connect the dots quickly when they look up.

Watching it live: the online stream beats group chat chaos

A huge part of the fun is that you can watch the billboard in person, and you can also watch a live stream online. That matters because your NYC moment is rarely only for the people standing next to you.

If you are surprising a friend on a family trip, or celebrating someone who cannot travel, the live stream gives you something real to share. You can send the time slot to relatives around the world and everyone can look at the same moment. It turns a personal surprise into a shared event.

It is also a practical backup. If weather, crowds, or glare make in-person viewing harder, you still have the online option.

Just remember the stream is not a magic substitute for being there. The billboard experience works because it is physical, loud, and iconic. Online is more like the scoreboard, in person is the touchdown.

Price and value: is $150 worth 24 hours on a billboard?

At $150 per person for 1 day, you need to judge this like a special event, not like a standard ticketed attraction. You are paying for access to a prime advertising-style canvas where your content runs repeatedly.

Here is the value math in plain terms:

• Your photo or video plays for 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours, which equals many total showings.
• The provider also states you are guaranteed 22 showtimes within that window if technical issues occur.
• You also get a custom frame and line of text, which makes the billboard feel designed, not pasted.

So the question becomes: what are you getting out of this moment?

If you want the kind of memory you can brag about for years, and you are okay spending money to make a big, public splash in Times Square, this can feel worth it. The reviews you shared echo that emotion again and again: people describe seeing their loved one’s face in the lights, or using it for milestones like engagements, birthdays, and major anniversaries.

If you are hoping for cinematic perfection from a perfect camera angle, or you want long uninterrupted screen time, the 15-second slots might feel short. Many people still love it, but it helps to know what you are actually buying: an hourly highlight reel.

Who this suits best in NYC (and who might rethink it)

This experience is especially good for:

• Birthdays, especially teen milestones
• Engagement surprises
• Announcements like congratulations
• Family moments when multiple people want to see the same image during your trip

It also works well for groups. You can get:

• One ticket for a group photo, where everyone appears in a single image
• Or multiple tickets if you want one photo or video per person

There is no cap on the number of people in a single photo. If you have a large group photo ready, this can be a smart way to share the spotlight.

Who might rethink it? If you are in NYC for a tight schedule and cannot realistically build in time to go look up at your hour, the experience can feel like a high-tech gift card instead of a lived moment. Also, if the idea is primarily to make a perfect photo for your social feed, plan around glare and angles.

Should you book this Times Square billboard moment?

I would book it if you want a once-in-a-trip bragging right, and you enjoy turning planning into payoff. The repeat schedule, the live stream, the central location, and the ability to add a frame and text all help this feel like more than just renting screen time.

I would not book it if you want a long, continuous performance, or if you cannot check your assigned time slot and show up near the billboard at least once. With hourly showtimes, you get the best experience when you time it.

If you do book, the smartest move is simple: upload quickly so your slot is locked, submit a clean, readable image that looks good at street level, then arrive early and be ready to look up when your hour hits.

FAQ

What does the experience include?

You get one photo or video display on a Times Square billboard showing 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours. It also includes a custom frame and a line of text for the display.

Where exactly is the billboard?

The billboard is at 1560 Broadway, between 46th and 47th St, above the Pelé store and across from the TKTS red steps.

How often will my photo or video appear?

Your photo or video displays for 15 seconds every hour during the 24-hour period on your selected date.

Can I watch it online?

Yes. You can see the billboard and also watch a live stream online.

How do I reserve my time slot?

Your slot is not reserved until you submit your photo or video. After purchase, you use the code you receive to upload, then you wait for confirmation of your assigned time slot within 24 hours.

Can I change my photo or video after I upload it?

You can change it as long as it is requested 24 hours in advance of your display date and your photo or video has not been displayed on the billboard yet.

What kinds of files are not allowed?

Uploads may be denied if they include watermarks, brands or logos, nudity, smoking, or vulgarity. Submissions with QR codes, links, or anything that resembles an advertisement can also be declined.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the billboard experience is listed as wheelchair accessible.

If you tell me the occasion and whether you want a single group photo or separate photos per person, I can suggest what to upload for maximum clarity on a big screen.