How to Watch CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on ABC and DIRECTV
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton airs live on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 9 to 11 p.m. ET (8 to 10 p.m. CT) on ABC, and it streams live on Disney+ at the same time. If you miss it, the special is available the next day on Hulu and Disney+.
On DIRECTV, the special is on your local ABC station, which is included with DIRECTV packages wherever local channels are available. Tune to your ABC affiliate's channel number in the guide, or record it ahead of time on your DVR.
What the Dolly Parton tribute is
The Country Music Association is producing the two-hour special to honor Parton, who died on August 25, 2026. ABC describes it as "a joyful, emotional celebration" of her life as an artist, songwriter, entertainer, humanitarian and entrepreneur, told through performances, archival footage and personal stories that trace her path from the mountains of east Tennessee.
The special is filmed live before an audience at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University in Nashville. A Belmont student ensemble will also take part in one performance, and CMA and Belmont plan to donate part of the proceeds to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the program that sends free books to children every month.
Who is performing
CMA and ABC announced the lineup on Good Morning America. The performers are Ashley McBryde, Béla Fleck, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Ella Langley, Kelsea Ballerini, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Molly Tuttle, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Sierra Hull, Vince Gill and Zac Brown. Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley join as special guests, and organizers say more surprise tributes from Parton's friends will be part of the show.
Every way to watch
| Option | When | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| ABC on DIRECTV | Live, Wed., Oct. 21, 9-11 p.m. ET | Your local ABC station in your DIRECTV package |
| ABC over the air | Live, Wed., Oct. 21, 9-11 p.m. ET | A TV antenna in range of your ABC station |
| Disney+ | Live, and on demand from the next day | A Disney+ subscription |
| Hulu | On demand from Thu., Oct. 22 | A Hulu subscription |
How to find ABC on DIRECTV
ABC's channel number on DIRECTV depends on your local market, so it isn't the same everywhere. Our guide to what channel ABC is in your area walks you through finding it, and if your local stations are missing, here's how to add local channels on DIRECTV.
Prefer to stream? The Disney+ app on a DIRECTV Gemini device, smart TV or streaming stick carries the special live. If you're picking between Disney's apps, our Disney+ review covers what the service includes.
Frequently asked questions
When is the CMA Dolly Parton tribute on TV?
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton airs live on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 9 to 11 p.m. ET, which is 8 to 10 p.m. CT.
What channel is the Dolly Parton tribute on?
It airs on ABC, so on DIRECTV it is on your local ABC station. It also streams live on Disney+.
Can I stream the Dolly Parton special?
Yes. It streams live on Disney+, and it is available on demand the next day on Hulu and Disney+.
Who is performing at the Dolly Parton tribute?
Performers include Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Lainey Wilson, Kelsea Ballerini, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Kristin Chenoweth and Kristen Bell, with Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley as special guests.
Where is the Dolly Parton tribute being held?
It is filmed live at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Need your local ABC station or help picking a DIRECTV package? Call 1-855-690-9884.
Details reviewed October 14, 2026. Air times, performers and streaming availability are set by ABC, Disney and the Country Music Association and may change. Local channel numbers vary by market. Channel availability, packages and prices vary by address and are subject to change. ABC, Disney+, Hulu, CMA, DIRECTV and related marks belong to their respective owners. American TV is an independent dealer and resource site.