How to Watch the 2026 CMA Awards on DIRECTV
The 60th Annual CMA Awards air live on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) on ABC, and the show streams live on Disney+ at the same time. If you miss it, it's on Hulu the next day. On DIRECTV, the CMA Awards are on your local ABC station, which comes with DIRECTV packages wherever local channels are available.
Lainey Wilson hosts for the third year in a row, and the show comes live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Ella Langley leads this year's nominees with nine nods. Here's the schedule, how to watch on DIRECTV and the nominees in the top categories, as of October 22, 2026.
2026 CMA Awards date, time and channel
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026 |
| Time | 8 to 11 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT, live) |
| TV | ABC, your local station on DIRECTV |
| Live stream | Disney+ |
| Next-day streaming | Hulu |
| Venue | Bridgestone Arena, Nashville |
| Host | Lainey Wilson |
The broadcast is live in the Eastern and Central time zones. CMA's viewing guide lists 7 p.m. in the Mountain time zone and 8 p.m. Pacific, so check your local ABC listings out West. The CMA Awards have aired on ABC every year since 2006.
How to watch the CMA Awards on DIRECTV
Tune to your local ABC affiliate. Its channel number depends on your market, so use our guide to what channel ABC is in your area. If your local stations are missing from your lineup, here's how to add local channels on DIRECTV. The show runs three hours, so if you're recording, set your DVR to keep recording a little past 11 p.m. ET in case it runs long.
Streaming works too. The Disney+ app on a DIRECTV Gemini device, smart TV or streaming stick carries the show live, and Hulu has it on demand the day after. Some DIRECTV packages include Disney+ and Hulu; our Disney+ and Hulu price guide has the current plan prices, and our Disney+ review covers what the service includes.
Who's hosting the 60th CMA Awards?
Lainey Wilson returns as host. It's her third straight year in the role and her second as solo host, and CMA and ABC announced it live on ESPN's College GameDay. Wilson is also nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year for "Somewhere Over Laredo." As of October 22, CMA hadn't announced performers or presenters; they're usually revealed in the weeks before the show.
2026 CMA Awards nominees in the top categories
Ella Langley leads with nine nominations. Miranda Lambert has seven, Kacey Musgraves and producer Ben West have five each, and Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Stephen Wilson Jr. have four each. CMA's professional members choose the winners in a final round of voting that closes Tuesday, October 27.
| Category | Nominees |
|---|---|
| Entertainer of the Year | Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson |
| Female Vocalist of the Year | Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson |
| Male Vocalist of the Year | Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Zach Top, Stephen Wilson Jr. |
| New Artist of the Year | Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Emily Ann Roberts, Tucker Wetmore, Stephen Wilson Jr. |
| Vocal Group of the Year | Lady A, Little Big Town, Midland, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays |
| Vocal Duo of the Year | Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Muscadine Bloodline, Thelma & James |
| Album of the Year | Ain't In It For My Health (Zach Top), Dandelion (Ella Langley), Middle of Nowhere (Kacey Musgraves), Parker McCollum (Parker McCollum), The Way I Am (Luke Combs) |
| Single of the Year | "Be Her" and "Choosin' Texas" (Ella Langley), "I Knew It, I Knew You" (Taylor Swift), "Somewhere Over Laredo" (Lainey Wilson), "The Fall" (Cody Johnson) |
| Song of the Year | "Be Her," "Beautiful Things," "Choosin' Texas," "Dry Spell," "Gary" |
| Musical Event of the Year | "A Song To Sing" (Miranda Lambert with Chris Stapleton), "Horses and Divorces" (Kacey Musgraves feat. Miranda Lambert), "I Can't Love You Anymore" (Ella Langley & Morgan Wallen), "If I Don't Leave I'm Gonna Stay" (Carly Pearce & Riley Green), "McArthur" (HARDY, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen & Tim McGraw) |
Taylor Swift's "I Knew It, I Knew You" is up for Single of the Year, and 13 people are first-time nominees this year, including Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Emily Ann Roberts, Muscadine Bloodline, Thelma & James and Ben West.
More country music on TV this fall
CMA's two-hour tribute I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton aired Wednesday, October 21, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Carly Pearce and Little Big Town among the performers. It became available on Hulu and Disney+ the next day. To compare DIRECTV packages with local channels, use our DIRECTV package channel comparison or call 1-855-690-9884.
Frequently asked questions
When are the 2026 CMA Awards?
The 60th Annual CMA Awards air live on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
What channel are the CMA Awards on DIRECTV?
The CMA Awards air on ABC, so on DIRECTV they're on your local ABC station. The channel number depends on your market.
Can I stream the 2026 CMA Awards?
Yes. The show streams live on Disney+ and is available on Hulu the next day.
Who is hosting the 2026 CMA Awards?
Lainey Wilson hosts for the third year in a row and the second time as solo host. She's also nominated for Entertainer of the Year.
Who is nominated for CMA Entertainer of the Year in 2026?
The nominees are Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson. Ella Langley leads all artists with nine nominations.
Want your local ABC station and the rest of your favorite channels in one guide? Call 1-855-690-9884 to check DIRECTV packages and local channels at your address.