How to Watch the CMA Awards Live Online

The 65th CMA Awards will air live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena tonight, Wednesday, November 19, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. For those without cable, the ceremony can be streamed live on services like DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV, with a next-day on-demand version accessible through Hulu.

Leading the field with six nominations each are Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, and Ella Langley, all of whom are scheduled to take the stage during the evening. They join an impressive lineup of performers that includes Zach Top, Kelsea Ballerini, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, Patty Loveless, Old Dominion, the Red Clay Strays, and Chris Stapleton. Kelsea Ballerini, a nominee for female vocalist of the year, will debut a new song titled "I Sit in Parks," while four-time nominee Riley Green will deliver his single "Worst Way."

Audiences can also anticipate several collaborative and medley segments. Old Dominion, once again nominated for vocal group of the year, will perform a medley of five of their major hits: "Break Up With Him," "Memory Lane," "One Man Band," "Hotel Key," and "Snapback." The Red Clay Strays, also competing in the vocal group category, will play their track "People Hatin’." In the Entertainer of the Year category, familiar faces Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, and Luke Combs return from last year, with Cody Johnson being the sole newcomer, taking the spot previously held by Jelly Roll.

Another key contest is the new artist of the year category, which features Zach Top and Ella Langley. The album of the year nominees reflect the genre’s expanding reach, with Post Malone’s "F-1 Trillion" up against full-length releases from Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson. This nod to Post Malone—a pop and hip-hop star whose foray into country has drawn significant attention—highlights a deliberate crossover strategy by the industry. As music critic Sarah Jenkins noted, "Post Malone’s inclusion isn't a fluke—it's a clear signal of country's deliberate and successful push into the mainstream, attracting listeners who might not have tuned in a decade ago." A complete nominee list is available online, and the show can be streamed live via DirecTV.