Grammys 2026: A Farewell to CBS Broadcast Amidst Shifting Audiences
Viewing Figures for the Final CBS Grammy Telecast
The 68th annual Grammy Awards, aired on CBS, attracted a total of 14.41 million viewers. This figure, based on Nielsen's same-day ratings, represents a modest decline of just over 6 percent compared to the 15.4 million viewers who tuned in for the 2025 ceremony. This marks the second consecutive year that the Grammys have seen a decrease in audience numbers since reaching a peak of 17.09 million viewers in 2024, following the pandemic.
Comparative Performance of Major Awards Shows
CBS's recent broadcast of three out of four major awards ceremonies in the 2025-26 season has yielded varied results. While the Emmys, broadcast in September, experienced an increase in viewership compared to the previous year's telecast on ABC, achieving its largest audience since 2021, other shows have not fared as well. The Golden Globes in January, much like the Grammys, saw a comparable drop in audience, specifically a 6.5 percent reduction. ABC is slated to conclude the current awards season by airing the Oscars on March 15.
Social Media Engagement and Digital Reach
Despite the slight downturn in linear television viewership, the Grammy Awards demonstrated an impressive digital footprint. On Sunday, the event emerged as the most widely discussed program on social media over the preceding six months, surpassing even major sporting events. The ceremony generated a remarkable 302.5 million video views across various online platforms and stimulated 78.4 million interactions, according to data provided by CBS.
Highlights and Key Awards of the Evening
The 2026 Grammys were hosted for the sixth time by Trevor Noah, who skillfully guided the audience through the night's festivities. A landmark moment occurred when Bad Bunny's album clinched the coveted Album of the Year award, marking the first instance a Spanish-language album has achieved this honor. Other prominent awards included Billie Eilish for Song of the Year, Kendrick Lamar for Record of the Year, and Olivia Dean, who was recognized as the Best New Artist.
The Future of the Grammy Awards Broadcast
Looking ahead, the Grammy Awards are poised for a significant transition. Beginning in 2027, the ceremony will shift its broadcast home to Disney platforms as part of a new 10-year agreement with the Recording Academy. The upcoming year's event is scheduled to be simulcast across ABC, Disney+, and Hulu. This move concludes CBS's extensive run as the Grammys' broadcaster, a partnership that spanned over five decades, having commenced in 1973.