The Grammys Move From CBS To Disney In Major, 10-Year Deal

The Grammys, which have aired on CBS for over 50 years, have a new home.

Disney has snatched the rights to the annual music awards shows in a ten-year deal, a major loss for Paramount.

The Grammys will air on ABC, Hulu and Disney+ from 2017 as part of the deal, taking it through to 2036.

CBS had previously struck a ten-year deal in 2016 to keep the rights through to 2026, breaking the record for a broadcast partnership between an awards show and broadcaster. It has been the home since 1973, when it snapped up the rights from ABC, which aired the show between 1971 and 1972. NBC previously aired it between 1959 and 1970.

According to sources, CBS and The Recording Academy did not reach an agreement within the two sides’ exclusive negotiating window but CBS remained interested in retaining the Grammys, with talks continuing after the end of the exclusive period when the Academy also opened negotiations with other interested parties. Ultimately, Disney submitted the winning bid.

Like the rest of Paramount Global, CBS has been focused on curtailing costs and has been prioritizing spending resources on live sports and primetime franchises. 

The network did jump in when the Golden Globes became available at an attractive price point last year and has since renewed the awards show after a solid first showing.

The move means that in the first year of the deal, ABC will air The Grammys, The Oscars and the Super Bowl. It also adds to The CMA Awards and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.

The 66th Grammy Awards was hosted by Trevor Noah with Taylor Swift becoming the first singer to win Album of the Year four times and indie rocker Phoebe Bridgers also winning big. The 67th Grammys will air on February 2, 2025.

“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 The Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. “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.”