Disney is set to change the landscape of music awards television by acquiring the Grammy Awards, a program that has been broadcast on CBS since 1973. Starting in 2027, the Grammys will be showcased across Disney platforms, including ABC, Hulu, and Disney+, as part of a 10-year agreement that runs through 2036. This deal will also feature a series of music specials produced by The Recording Academy, the organization behind the awards.
This acquisition allows Disney to host the Grammys alongside other major events, including the Super Bowl and the Oscars, starting in 2027. This strategic move enables Disney to create larger advertising packages for major sponsors. However, award shows have seen a decline in viewership in recent years. Celebrities are now more accessible through social media platforms like X, YouTube, and Instagram, which has diminished the allure of televised events. For example, while nearly 40 million viewers tuned in to the Grammys in 2013, the most recent event attracted only 16.9 million viewers—though this was a significant increase from last year’s average of 12.4 million.
Disney has shown a growing interest in the music industry, having recently acquired rights to stream a documentary featuring previously unseen Beatles footage on Disney+ and the original recording of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton.” Additionally, in March, Disney+ streamed a film of Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” performance.
“Live events are more significant than ever in our culture, and acquiring the Grammys adds a crown jewel to our diverse programming portfolio,” said Dana Walden, co-chair of Disney Entertainment, in a statement.
Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr. expressed gratitude towards CBS, stating, “We are honored to join forces with Disney, a company that has consistently prioritized creators. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in the Academy’s growth and enhances our mission to uplift musicians worldwide.”
CBS had previously paid around $20 million annually for the Grammy broadcast rights in a 2016 agreement that spanned a decade.
The Disney deal marks the return of the Grammys to ABC, which last hosted the awards in 1971 and 1972. CBS’s acquisition of the Grammys led to the creation of the American Music Awards, which aired on ABC from 1974 to 2022. Recently, CBS has also secured rights to the American Music Awards and the Golden Globes, both of which are associated with Dick Clark Productions, a company linked to PMC, Variety’s parent company, and Eldridge Industries, controlled by Todd Boehly.
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