If you spent half an hour scrolling through your cable guide last May looking for the ACMs, you weren't alone. It used to be so simple. You’d grab a drink, flip to CBS, and watch the hats and boots take over the screen. But things changed. Honestly, the answer to what channel was the academy of country music awards on isn't actually a "channel" at all anymore.
Since 2022, the Academy of Country Music Awards has lived exclusively on Prime Video.
It was a massive gamble. The ACMs became the first major awards show to ditch traditional network TV entirely and head straight for the streaming world. No more CBS. No more NBC. Just an app and a decent Wi-Fi connection.
Why the ACM Awards Left Network TV
Money and ratings—it's usually one of the two, and in this case, it was both. CBS had been the home for the show since 1998. That’s a long run. But around 2021, the contract was up for renewal. Reports from industry insiders, including Deadline and Country Now, suggested that Dick Clark Productions (the folks who produce the show) wanted a higher rights fee—somewhere in the ballpark of $22 million.
At the same time, traditional TV ratings were dipping. The 2021 broadcast hit an all-time low of about 6 million viewers. CBS looked at the price tag, looked at the numbers, and decided to pass. They chose to focus on the CMT Music Awards instead.
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Then came Amazon.
Amazon didn't just want a slice of the pie; they wanted the whole thing. They saw an opportunity to bring a massive, loyal audience to Prime Video. By August 2021, the deal was sealed. The "Party of the Year" was moving to the cloud.
Where to Find the Show Moving Forward
If you’re looking for the 2024 or 2025 ceremonies, or planning ahead for the 61st ACM Awards in 2026, the destination is the same. It’s all about Amazon.
The 60th anniversary show, which went down on May 8, 2025, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, was a Prime Video exclusive. Reba McEntire hosted—her 18th time, which is just wild. Even if you didn’t have a paid Prime membership, Amazon actually made the live broadcast free to watch for anyone with a basic Amazon account.
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Ways to stream the ACMs:
- The Prime Video App: This is the big one. It works on your phone, smart TV, or Roku.
- Twitch: Specifically, the Amazon Music channel on Twitch often carries the live feed.
- Amazon Live: They usually run red carpet coverage and behind-the-scenes stuff here.
The 2026 show is already slated for Sunday, May 17, 2026, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It’s moving back to a Sunday night slot, which feels a bit more traditional than the Thursday nights they’ve experimented with recently.
A Brief History of ACM Channels
Before the big jump to streaming, the ACMs bounced around quite a bit. It’s actually pretty interesting to see how the "Western" answer to the CMAs (which are based in Nashville) grew up.
- ABC (1972–1978): This was the first time the awards were actually televised. Before that, it was a smaller, regional affair in Los Angeles.
- NBC (1979–1997): The show found a long-term home here for nearly two decades. This is where it really became a national staple.
- CBS (1998–2021): The "golden era" for many fans. This is the era of Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and the rise of Carrie Underwood.
- Prime Video (2022–Present): The current era.
There's a lot of confusion between the ACMs and the CMAs (Country Music Association Awards). If you're looking for a show on ABC, you’re probably thinking of the CMAs. They have stayed loyal to network television, usually airing in November.
Is Streaming Better for Country Fans?
It depends on who you ask. If you're tech-savvy, the Prime Video move is great. You get a crisp 4K stream, no local channel blackouts, and you can watch it from basically anywhere in the world. Amazon claims they reached audiences in over 240 countries for the 2025 show. That’s huge for globalizing country music.
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On the flip side, older fans or those in rural areas with spotty internet have voiced some frustration. It’s a bit more work than just hitting "Channel 5" on the remote.
However, the Academy seems happy. They recently extended their deal with Amazon through 2028. They love the "360-degree" integration—meaning you can watch the show, click a button to buy the artist's shirt on Amazon, and then ask Alexa to play their new single. It's a closed loop that makes a lot of business sense.
What You Need for the Next Broadcast
If you want to be ready for the 2026 show in Vegas, here is the deal. You don't necessarily need to pay for Prime right now, but you do need an Amazon account.
Check your device compatibility. While most modern smart TVs (Samsung, Sony, LG) support the Prime Video app, some older models from 2015 or earlier might struggle or not support the live stream feature at all. If your TV is a dinosaur, grabbing a cheap Fire Stick or Roku is the easiest workaround.
Expect the 2026 nominations to drop sometime in March. That's usually when the buzz starts building and we find out if Reba is coming back or if they’re passing the torch to someone like Jelly Roll or Lainey Wilson.
To make sure you don't miss the 2026 event, go into your Prime Video app now and search for "ACM Awards." You can usually "add to watchlist" or follow the event page so you get a notification when the red carpet starts.