*Music’s biggest night is jumping ship to create harmony on a new platform. IndieWire reports the Grammys are leaving their longtime broadcasting home of CBS for the greener pastures of Disney.
The move represents a major historic shift, as the annual ceremony has aired on the Eye Network for more than 50 years.
Under the deal, which starts in 2027, ABC will be the new network for the Grammys, with it simulcast on Hulu and Disney+. In addition, The Recording Academy will produce other Grammy-related music specials and new programming across Disney’s platforms, which could include other tribute concerts or documentary specials.
Disney will have the rights to the Grammys for the next 10 years through the 2036 ceremony, IndieWire noted.
“As The Walt Disney Company combines forces with The Recording Academy to open this exciting new chapter in the history of ‘The Grammys,’ we do so with pride and gratitude,” said Disney Entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden. “Live events have never been more important to our culture and industry, and we just acquired one of the crown jewels, adding to our portfolio of world-class programming across all genres.”
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Recording Academy president Harvey Mason Jr. Echoed Walden’s excitement, acknowledging its alliance with CBS while looking ahead towards “the Academy’s transformation and growth” in a new era with Disney.
“We are completely thrilled to be bringing ‘The Grammys’ and other new music programming to the Disney ecosystem,” he said. “We are grateful to our long-standing partners at CBS and now honored to be joining with Disney, an iconic company where creators have always been at the forefront. This partnership represents another important milestone in the Academy’s transformation and growth, and strengthens our ability to fulfill our mission of uplifting and serving music people around the world.”
The Grammys’ move to ABC in 2027 will mark a grand year for the network, with the first year of the deal coming with airing the music staple as well as the Oscars, Super Bowl LXI, the CMA Awards, and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.”
The high-powered programming roster reinforces Disney+ Hulu’s push into live content and follows the recent live airing and streaming of this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony event on Disney+.
In its airing of the 66th Grammy Awards in February, CBS scored its largest audience for the event since 2020, averaging 16.9 million viewers. Highlights from the show included Tracy Chapman performing her classic hit “Fast Car” with Luke Combs as well as the return of Joni Mitchell to the stage and Taylor Swift’s surprise announcement of her latest album “The Tortured Poets Department” live during the awards ceremony.
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