The Grammys Make a Major Move From CBS to Disney in 10-Year Deal

Photo Credit: Aiden Craver

After over 50 years at CBS, the Grammy Awards find a new home in Disney in a major 10-year deal.The Grammy Awards have aired on CBS for over 50 years, but that’s about to change as Disney strikes up a significant 10-year deal with rights to the annual music awards show. The Grammys will air on ABC, Hulu, and Disney+ from 2027 through 2036.

CBS struck up a ten-year deal in 2016 to maintain the rights until 2026 — breaking the record for a broadcast partnership with an awards show. The network has hosted the show since 1973, when it took the rights from ABC. ABC had aired the show in 1971 and 1972, after NBC hosted it from 1959 to 1970.

The Recording Academy and CBS were not able to reach an agreement within their negotiating window, according to sources, but CBS remained interested in maintaining the rights. Talks continued after the end of the exclusive period when The Recording Academy opened negotiations with other interested parties. But it was Disney who secured the winning bid.

“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.”“We are completely thrilled to be bringing The Grammys and other new music programming to the Disney ecosystem,” added Harvey Mason Jr., Recording Academy CEO. “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.”

Though this is a major loss for Paramount’s streaming service, CBS has been focused on reducing costs, prioritizing spending resources on live sports in addition to prime-time franchises. The network secured rights to the Golden Globes when it became available last year.

The deal means that in its first year, ABC will air The Grammys, the Oscars, as well as the Super Bowl, and even gets the CMA Awards and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve to boot.