A view of the Grammy statuette is seen in the press room at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. Photo Credit: Jay C. Hong

In a historic turnaround for the Grammy Awards, Disney has acquired broadcast rights to the prestigious concert in a historic ten-year deal, ending CBS’s 50-year partnership with the Recording Academy. Starting in 2027, the Grammys will air on Disney platforms including ABC, Hulu and Disney+, marking the first time that Disney will host the awards since it briefly held the rights in the early 1970s. This new arrangement extends till 2036.

CBS’s exclusive negotiating window with the Recording Academy closed without a deal, opening the door for Disney to submit the winning bid. Despite continued interest from CBS, Disney’s proposal was accepted, leading Disney Entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden to call it an “exciting new chapter” for the Grammys. “Live events have never been more important,” Walden said. He said the acquisition strengthens Disney’s broad programming portfolio.

The deal gives Disney a unique edge heading into 2027, with The Grammys, The Oscars and the Super Bowl all scheduled to air on ABC that year. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. expressed excitement for the partnership with Disney, saying, “This partnership represents another important milestone in the Academy’s transformation and growth.”

CBS has recently refocused its efforts on sports and primetime franchises, but acquired the Golden Globes last year, helping fill out its awards programming roster following this significant departure.