Long-Term Streaming Agreement

Amazon Prime Video has announced a multi-year agreement to host the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards through the year 2028. This extension follows the recent livestream of the 60th ACM Awards, which marked the event’s successful continuation on the platform.

History of the ACM Awards on Streaming

Since making its exclusive switch to Amazon in 2022, the ACM Awards became the first significant awards show’s exclusive livestream event after previously airing on CBS for 23 years. The announcement of their partnership’s extension was made during Amazon’s 2026 upfront presentation in New York City on Monday.

Highlights from the 60th ACM Awards

The 60th annual ACM Awards took place at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, on May 8, with Reba McEntire serving as host. The event featured performances by notable artists including the Backstreet Boys, Blake Shelton, and Miranda Lambert, among others.

• Lainey Wilson was celebrated as the entertainer of the year for the second consecutive year.
• Ella Langley won five awards, the most of the evening.
• Alan Jackson earned the premiere ACM Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Keith Urban was recognized with the ACM Triple Crown Award.

Leadership and Production Teams

Raj Kapoor took the helm as showrunner for the 60th ACM Awards, with executive production handled by Kapoor, Damon Whiteside from ACM, and Jay Penske along with Barry Adelman from Dick Clark Productions. Patrick Menton and John Saade served as co-executive and consulting producers for Amazon MGM Studios respectively.

Statements from Key Figures

Vernon Sanders, global head of television at Amazon MGM Studios, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Our ongoing partnership with the Academy of Country Music and Dick Clark Productions has been an amazing experience for everyone involved. We are overjoyed to continue our relationship for the next three years.”

Damon Whiteside, CEO of the ACM, commented on the expansive reach offered by Prime Video, remarking that the partnership has significantly elevated visibility for country music worldwide.

Jay Penske, CEO of Dick Clark Productions, echoed this sentiment, saying, “The Academy of Country Music Awards made history in 2022 as the first major awards show to exclusively livestream… connecting country music with a global audience.”

Miranda Lambert, a leading ACM Awards recipient, added, “I feel like it’s just another way for us to get Country Music out there to the world.”