After a 50-year run on CBS, the Grammy Awards will have a new home starting in 2027. The Recording Academy has inked a 10-year deal with Disney, making ABC, Hulu, and Disney+ the exclusive broadcasters of Music’s Biggest Night through 2036. The agreement also includes the development of additional Grammy-branded programming across Disney’s platforms.
This move represents a major shakeup in the awards show landscape and a significant win for Disney. The Grammys join a formidable lineup of live events on the company’s roster, including the Oscars, CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. In 2027, ABC will boast a trifecta of major broadcasts: the Grammys, the Oscars, and Super Bowl LXI.
While Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Dana Walden praised the acquisition of “one of the crown jewels” of live event programming, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. emphasized the partnership’s potential for furthering the Academy’s mission. This announcement follows a period of growth and transformation for the Academy, including efforts to diversify its membership and advocate for creators’ rights.
The shift to Disney raises several questions. Will the broadcast’s tone and style change under new management? What kind of “new music programming” will emerge from this partnership? And how will CBS fill the void left by the Grammys in its programming schedule?
While the answers remain elusive, one thing is clear: this deal marks a significant shift in the music industry and the awards show landscape, with potential implications that extend far beyond a simple change of network.
