The air in Nashville usually feels a bit different when November rolls around. There’s this specific buzz that takes over Broadway, a mix of frantic stagehands and fans wearing boots they definitely haven't broken in yet. If you’re sitting on your couch wondering what channel is the CMA Awards on tonight, the short answer is ABC.
Honestly, it feels like we do this dance every year. You check the guide, see a bunch of local news, and panic for a second that you missed the red carpet. Don’t worry. The 60th Annual CMA Awards—Country Music’s Biggest Night—is sticking to its guns. It’s airing live on your local ABC affiliate starting at 8:00 PM ET.
The Quick Logistics
If you just want the raw data so you can get back to your chips and dip, here it is. The show hits the airwaves tonight, Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
- Network: ABC
- Time: 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT
- Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
- Streaming tomorrow: Hulu
Now, if you’re one of the millions who ditched cable for a digital antenna or a bunch of apps, things get a little more "kinda" complicated. But only a little.
What Channel Is the CMA Awards on Tonight if You Don't Have Cable?
Look, cable is expensive. I get it. If you aren't paying for a box from the 90s, you’ve still got options to watch the CMAs live. Basically, any live TV streaming service that carries your local ABC station will work.
I’m talking about YouTube TV, FuboTV, or Hulu + Live TV. They all have it. If you’re cheap—and hey, no judgment—you might even be able to snag a free trial for one of these services just for the night. Just remember to cancel it before they charge you eighty bucks tomorrow morning.
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Another weirdly reliable hack? A digital antenna. Seriously. These things cost like twenty dollars at a big-box store and they pick up ABC in high definition for free. It’s the one piece of "old" tech that still feels like magic because it bypasses the whole subscription mess.
What about regular Hulu?
This is where people usually get tripped up. If you have the standard Hulu subscription (the one that costs about ten or fifteen bucks), you cannot watch the show live tonight. You’ll have to wait until Thursday. Usually, they upload the full ceremony by the time you're having your morning coffee the next day. It’s a test of patience, sure, but it’s better than missing the performances entirely.
Who Is Running the Show This Year?
After Lainey Wilson’s solo hosting gig last year, there was a ton of talk about whether they’d go back to a duo or keep the "Bell Bottom Country" queen center stage. The CMA usually likes to keep us guessing until late September, but whoever is holding the mic has a high bar to clear.
Lainey really set a new standard. She wasn't just reading a teleprompter; she was performing, winning awards, and changing outfits like four times. It was a lot.
The Nominees People Are Actually Talking About
The CMAs aren't just about who sells the most records, though that helps. It’s about the "industry" vote. Sometimes that means the person you hear on the radio every five minutes doesn't actually take home the trophy.
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Entertainer of the Year
This is the big one. The one everyone sticks around for at 10:55 PM.
- Morgan Wallen: He’s always the elephant in the room. Massive numbers, massive stadium tours, but the CMAs have a complicated relationship with him.
- Luke Combs: The guy is a machine. He’s the safe bet, the vocal powerhouse, and the most "country" of the bunch.
- Lainey Wilson: Can she repeat? The industry loves her because she represents the hard-work-pays-off narrative perfectly.
- Chris Stapleton: He’s the artist’s artist. Even if he hasn't released a "radio hit" in a minute, his peers will vote for him just because of that voice.
Why the Red Carpet Starts Early
If you care about the fashion—or the awkward interviews where reporters ask about "what's in your bag"—you need to be online before 8:00 PM. Usually, the official CMA social channels (TikTok and Instagram) start streaming the red carpet around 6:00 PM ET.
It’s often hosted by people like Lauren Alaina or some influencers you might recognize from your "For You" page. It’s less formal than the main broadcast, which makes it sort of better. You see the artists before they’ve had three hours of sitting in tight suits.
Common Watching Mistakes to Avoid
Don't be the person who tries to log into the ABC app at 8:05 PM only to realize you don't remember your provider password.
- Verify your login now. If you're using a streaming service, make sure the app is updated.
- Check the time zone. If you’re on the West Coast, ABC sometimes delays the broadcast until 8:00 PM PT rather than showing it live with the East Coast. Check your local listings to see if you need to avoid Twitter for three hours to stay spoiler-free.
- Hulu is NOT live. I’ll say it again because someone always complains. Unless you pay for the "Live TV" tier, you are a "next-day" viewer.
What to Expect From the Performances
The CMAs are known for "The CMA Moment." This is usually a weird pairing of two artists you’d never expect to see together. Think Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton back in the day.
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Expect a lot of tributes this year. With the genre losing some legends recently, the producers usually dedicate a solid ten-minute block to a multi-artist medley. It’s usually the highlight of the night, honestly. The flashy pyro-filled sets are cool, but nothing beats three people standing around a mic with acoustic guitars.
The New Artist Category
Keep an eye on New Artist of the Year. This category is basically a crystal ball for who will be headlining stadiums in three years. Names like Zach Top and Megan Moroney have been tearing up the charts, and seeing them get their first big "industry" nod is a big deal.
Actionable Steps for Your Viewing Party
If you’re hosting people or just want the best experience, do these three things:
- Download the CMA App: They have a "ballot" feature where you can predict winners against your friends. It makes the boring middle-of-the-show awards for "Vocal Duo" a lot more interesting.
- Sync Your Audio: If you’re watching on a digital antenna, the signal is actually faster than cable or streaming. If you’re texting friends, you might spoil the winners for them if they’re watching on a 30-second stream delay.
- Prepare for a Long Night: The show is scheduled for three hours. It almost always runs over. If you’re DVRing it, add an extra 30 minutes to the end of the recording so you don't miss the Entertainer of the Year speech.
Essentially, just get to a TV with ABC by 8:00 PM. Whether you're there for the music or just to see what everyone is wearing, it’s going to be a long, loud night in Nashville.