The Grammys: end of an era?
Grammys end 54-year run on CBS; moving to ABC in 2027
The Grammys: end of an era?
Last Sunday night, the Grammy Awards aired on CBS for the final time.
Since 1973, CBS has been home to the biggest night in music each year; prior to that time, the Grammys were telecast on ABC. When ABC lost the Grammys, Dick Clark created the American Music Awards for ABC.
And in one of the industry’s craziest switcheroos, the Grammys are moving back to ABC in 2027, while the American Music Awards are moving to CBS!
The Grammy Awards are named for the Gramophone, invented not by Thomas Edison but by Emile Berliner. Edison had invented the phonograph in 1877, but Berliner’s 1887 reinvention allowed for the mass production of recorded music and his record label, Victor, later became part of RCA – the same company that launched the first radio network (NBC) and television network (NBC).
Awards shows are a celebration of entertainment and popular culture. There are dozens of great moments from the Grammys, Oscars, Emmys, and Tonys out there on YouTube. One can also find plenty of red carpet highlights.
Industry observers say that the Grammys are the most-watched of the big four awards programs. The mixed-genre crossovers that only happen on Grammy night have often been some of the best moments on the show.
Over the past decade or so, the Grammys have given airtime to some artists who chose this performance opportunity to shock the national TV audience. Examples: Nicki Minaj (now President Trump’s best friend!) and her Satanic-themed mock possession and exorcism complete with a fake Pope in 2012, perhaps the most tasteless and excessive Grammy performance in recent memory; the most complained-about performance in Grammy history, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s 2021 performance of “W.A.P.” (don’t ask); Katy Perry being burned at the stake in a ritualistic performance of “Dark Horse” in 2014; and more.
This year, the best news to report is that the performances and award-winners were mostly great! The stars of the night were British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean, who was presented her Best New Artist Grammy by last year’s winner, the barely-dressed Chappell Roan; and the Icelandic sensation Laufey, who won the Best Traditional Pop Album and gave one of the best acceptance speeches of the night in which she honored music educators.
Speaking of speeches, how about country star Jelly Roll? Upon winning the Grammy for Best Country Album, he used his time on stage to thank Jesus for saving him, saying that Jesus knows no political party nor denomination.
The tribute portion took up most of the last hour of the show and it was simply amazing. So many legends passed away in 2025, it was tough to squeeze in appropriate tributes to them all. Yet, somehow they did: Reba McEntire, Brandy Clark, and Lukas Nelson performed “Trailblazer” over projected photos of the artists we’ve lost. This was followed by two all-star tribute bands. Post Malone, Slash, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, and Duff McKagan rocked the house in a big way with their tribute to Ozzy Osbourne; then, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean honored Roberta Flack and D’Angelo, as well as Gospel composer-performer Richard Smallwood (who had been one of Roberta Flack’s students when she taught middle school music).
Other big winners included YUNGBLUD (for those who haven’t heard him, he’s a modern-day cross between Freddie Mercury and Steven Tyler); Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande (you know them.. from WICKED); R&B sensation Leon Thomas; and Lady Gaga, who had the most showstopping performance of the night with her recent hit “Abracadabra.”
At the end of the show, host Trevor Noah thanked CBS for 54 years and there was a beautiful montage of so many historic Grammy moments across the decades. It was a great way to go out.
And so, now that the Grammys are moving to ABC, what can we expect? We will have to tune in and see.
Michael Bird is assistant professor of music at Faulkner University.
