DIRECTV offers an assortment of music channels to meet the tastes of customers with various preferences. From showtunes to relaxing classical pieces, there is something suitable for everyone at every time and place.
CMT, the Country Music Television network, can be found in over 92 million households. The channel offers both country music videos as well as lifestyle entertainment and unscripted reality shows with a distinct southern flair.
CMT Music Awards
The CMT Music Awards is the only awards show dedicated to country music videos. Fans vote on who deserves recognition, while it also showcases some of the biggest names and performances in country. No matter your taste in music, DIRECTV offers CMT Music Awards so anyone can watch.
CMT Music Awards differ significantly from MTV’s Video Music Awards by honoring both singer and video. This makes viewing much more entertaining. CMT has made efforts to appeal to a younger audience with flashy performances they feature during shows – something traditional country fans may object to but has ultimately helped these awards become more mainstream.
Kelsea Ballerini will serve as host for this year’s event, which will air live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. She will be joined by co-hosts Kane Brown and his wife Katelyn; these stars recently collaborated on “The Daughters,” an acclaimed track which tackled religious themes for its debut country release.
Over the years, numerous celebrities have assumed the task of hosting the CMT Music Awards. Some, like Kristen Bell and Toby Keith have hosted multiple times while Luke Combs and Ashley McBryde have only hosted once or twice; regardless of how often or rarely a host has served behind their desk, each brings something distinct to this annual ceremony.
Some of the highlight moments from 2024 CMT Music Awards included performances by some of country music’s most beloved musicians. Tanya Tucker led an unforgettable rendition of her iconic tune “Delta Dawn,” joined onstage by Martina McBride, Lauren Alaina, Carly Pearce and Raelynn.
Other highlights of the night included a tribute to the victims of Parkland, Florida school shooting. Country singers donned black ribbons as part of this moving tribute and performed some of their most beloved tunes; country star Maren Morris returned later in the night to perform “Slow Dancer”, earning her an enormous standing ovation from her audience and further solidifying why she remains one of the industry’s bestselling artists.
CMT Music Festival
CMT Music Festival events provide country music fans with many chances to see and meet up-and-coming artists and connect with stars they admire, not just through nightly shows in Nashville’s Nissan Stadium but also fan club gatherings and non-publicized live music showcases that often provide an ideal chance to spot up-and-comers and meet your favorites! The CMT Music Festival can give country fans such an opportunity.
This year’s awards show will pay tribute to Toby Keith with performances by Brooks & Dunn and Lainey Wilson, joined by Sammy Hagar and his band. Sugarland and Little Big Town will join forces again for a performance, while others such as Kelsea Ballerini, Sam Hunt, Dasha Megan Moroney Jelly Roll Parker McCollum Brittney Spencer Cody Johnson will also participate. CMT will broadcast this year’s 2024 awards show live from Austin Moody Center starting at 8 PM ET; CBS All Access subscribers can stream these ceremonies live or via CBS All Access or Paramount+/Paramount+/Showtime subscription services.
The CMT Music Awards celebrate country music’s leading artists with various award categories chosen by fans; nominations were announced this April. DIRECTV subscribers have the ability to stream the event live from various devices and streaming apps including their satellite service and online DIRECTV NOW app, using popular filters to find events they are most interested in and purchasing tickets through a secure connection.
The CMT Music Awards is an event not to be missed for country music fans, hosted this year by singer Kelsea Ballerini and broadcast on CBS. Cord cutters can watch it by signing up for free trials of fuboTV or DirecTV Stream; Hulu+ Live TV and Sling TV users may also stream it live. For more information about the CMT Music Awards visit their official website as well as keeping an eye out on social media with #CMTawards; additionally you’ll find a full list of nominees there as well.
CMT Country Top 10
Every year there are so many awards shows in film, theater, TV and music that it can be difficult to keep up with them all. But country music lovers shouldn’t miss two prestigious honors that stand out: CMT Music Awards and Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards in country music – both have long histories that rival Hollywood’s Oscars and Tonys as they can both be watched live on DIRECTV!
Direct TV customers can watch the 2023 CMT Music Awards live on Thursday, April 2. This annual showcase honors country music stars in categories like performance of the year and video of the year. CMT is the only fan-voted music award show and features some of the biggest names in country music; such as Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Walker Hayes Cody Johnson & Carly Pearce who will all perform.
As part of its show, there will also be a four-hour documentary that showcases Country Music’s 100 Greatest Songs. A selection process began last summer when Music Critic, Historians, Journalists were asked by CMT Network to identify important tracks within Country music genre. A panel of music experts then selected 100 songs; final rankings will be revealed during a concert and broadcast broadcast on Sunday June 4th.
On the night of the awards, rising country stars also take center stage. This year’s ceremony took place in Austin at Moody Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Texas campus; performers included both established hitmakers as well as artists on their way up, switching between production-saturated indoor sets and fireworks-covered outdoor stages for performances.
At this year’s show, there were numerous heartfelt tributes, one in particular paying homage to country icon Loretta Lynn who died last October and received her Artist of a Lifetime award presented by daughter Patsy Williams.
Fans will be eager to see who takes home each category at this year’s CMT Music Awards ceremony live, as they try their luck for entertainer of the year honors – which DIRECTV lets viewers stream. In addition, they’ll get access to additional CMT content such as Hot or Not and Heatseeker features from CMT as they unfold!
CMT Next Big Thing
CMT Next Big Thing provides country music fans with an opportunity to discover some of its brightest up-and-comers, airing every Sunday night on DIRECTV at 8p.m. ET with performances and interviews by its biggest stars; plus it serves as the only live viewing location of CMT Music Awards!
Sam Hunt graced the 2024 CMT Music Awards stage to perform his new song “Locked Up.” Channeling Johnny Cash-like qualities by wearing black pants and donning a white dress shirt, Hunt drew on prison-themed videos from his prison-themed music video for inspiration during this performance. This track serves as an appetizer to his new album this year.
Jelly Roll, winner of three major prizes at CMT Next Big Thing award night and halfway to Hell debutante, premiered new music during his award-winning videos. Although something new may be in development but is yet to be unveiled officially.
Variety gathered many CMT Awards performers and winners at Austin’s Moody Center to chat about what comes next in their lives – Lainey Wilson, Dasha, Brittney Spencer, Megan Moroney, Jordan Davis – all provided insights into what is to come next.
Jelly Roll is equally as excited about his career’s prospects after winning an award similar to this for the first time last year. To ensure fans hear his new material, he plans on touring this summer.
Corey Kent is another country artist making waves in the industry. Her music sits at the intersection of rock-influenced country and heartland values, offering an interesting new take on what country music entails while staying true to where its heading. A native of Arkansas who’s made Nashville her home since 2020 with her breakout single “Wild As Her.” Tanner Adell stands out as another rising country singer unapologetically carving her own path – her infectious combination of pop vocals and hip-hop beats makes her an intriguing addition.