‘CMA Country Christmas’: How to Livestream the Holiday Special Online

The CMA Country Christmas special makes its annual return to ABC this holiday season, bringing a night of festive music to screens on Tuesday, December 2nd, at 8:00 PM ET. This televised concert has become a beloved tradition, offering a curated blend of performances that capture the spirit of the season.

For cord-cutters, the live broadcast can be streamed via Sling TV, specifically on its Sling Blue package which carries ABC. New subscribers can currently access the combined Sling Orange + Blue bundle at half price for their first month. Following the initial airing, the special will be available for on-demand viewing the next day, Wednesday, on both Disney+ and Hulu platforms.

Hosting duties this year fall to an intriguing pair: Grammy-winning artist Lauren Daigle, whose soulful sound has found massive crossover success between contemporary Christian and pop charts, and country star Jordan Davis, famed for his reflective hit "Buy Dirt." While not confirmed, a musical duet between the hosts is widely expected, a tradition upheld in previous years. For example, 2022's hosts, legends Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood, delivered a memorable blend of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "Joy to the World."

The performer lineup is deliberately eclectic, designed to showcase holiday classics through a rich tapestry of American roots music. It includes rising country talent like Megan Moroney, Riley Green, and Parker McCollum, alongside the acclaimed trio Lady A—who changed their name from Lady Antebellum in 2020 as a statement of inclusivity. The special also ventures beyond pure country, featuring the legendary New Orleans-based Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the blues-rock powerhouse Tedeschi Trucks Band fronted by Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, and revered gospel singer BeBe Winans. This diverse curation reflects a broader trend in country music programming to celebrate its connections to wider musical traditions.

The Christmas special arrives on the heels of November's CMA Awards, where Lainey Wilson was the evening's dominant force. The Louisiana native, known for her storytelling lyrics and iconic bell-bottom hats, secured the top prize of Entertainer of the Year among three total wins. Industry observers note that this festive broadcast strategically extends the communal energy and spotlight generated by the awards ceremony directly into the holiday period. As music critic Sarah Miller notes, "These back-to-back events create a powerful narrative arc for the genre, transitioning from competitive recognition to shared celebration."

Country music's prominence in seasonal programming continues unabated, with CBS already slated to broadcast a five-hour "Nashville New Year's Eve Special." That event will feature headlining sets from Wilson, Jason Aldean, and breakout artist Bailey Zimmerman. This consecutive scheduling of major televised country events underscores the genre's solidified and expansive footprint in mainstream entertainment. For audiences, the CMA Country Christmas special effectively serves as the festive gateway to this packed season of musical celebration.