Today, Rolling Stone announced the launch of its first-ever festival, Stateside, a boutique live event and content experience set in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley. Anchored by a flagship event on the 4th of July at Hutton Brickyards’ riverfront property in Kingston, NY, Stateside will celebrate the music, food, art, and culture that are synonymous with American culture. Attendees can expect to channel the timeless spirit of Americana - hot dogs, fireworks, local food vendors, an artisan market, guitars, and great days under the summer sun.
Fresh off the release of his fourth studio album, “The Great Divide”, and upcoming SOLD-OUT national stadium tour this summer, 2x Grammy-nominated multi-platinum superstar Noah Kahan will headline Rolling Stone’s inaugural event. Stateside will feature a full day of live performances across indie, folk, pop, and country, including Gigi Perez, Sydney Rose, Arcy Drive, Bo Staloch, Devon Gilfillian, Derby, Calder Allen, and Michaela Anne. At just under 4,000 in total capacity, festivalgoers are sure to enjoy a unique and intimate experience. The evening will culminate with a celebratory fireworks show immediately after Noah’s set.
Guests who purchase VIP and Platinum tickets will enjoy premium perks like dedicated entry and bars, premium viewing, air-conditioned restrooms, and more.
Select VIP and Platinum attendees will have the opportunity to make a weekend out of their Stateside experience. In addition to the main event on Saturday, July 4th, the festival will feature a limited amount of exclusive weekend-long programming and hospitality packages, complete with riverfront luxury accommodations at the property. Beginning July 3rd through the morning of July 5th, on-property guests will have access to curated dining, entertainment, and wellness experiences.
Stateside Festival is proud to partner with Boston Beer Company to bring Dogfish Head, Sun Cruiser, and Angry Orchard to this year’s event. In partnership with Rolling Stone, Dogfish Head is working on a special product launch for Stateside, with additional details to be announced soon.
The festival will also feature Scout Motors as the official automotive partner. At Stateside, Rolling Stone and Scout Motors team up to debut “Tailgate Sessions Presented by Scout Motors” — part intimate performance stage, hangout, and discovery space. Designed like a modern Americana garage, the activation fuses the Scout brand’s rugged, adventure-forward spirit with Rolling Stone’s music authority into one unmistakably cool fan experience.
Hertz joins Stateside as the official car rental partner, making the journey to Kingston part of the experience. Guests who arrive in a Hertz rental will unlock exclusive on-site perks, including a branded arrival moment, a festival essentials kit, and access to a private lounge with dedicated food, beverage, and restrooms. Hertz Gold+ members will also have exclusive access to a limited allotment of on-property VIP parking.
VIP packages and general admission tickets for Stateside Festival will go on sale 10am ET on Thursday, April 30th at Statesidefest.com/tickets, with additional information available at statesidefest.com.
ABOUT ROLLING STONE
Five decades since its founding, Rolling Stone today has evolved into a multi-platform content brand with unrivaled access and authority, reaching a global audience of over 60 million people per month. Staying true to its mission to tell exceptional stories that illuminate the culture of our times, Rolling Stone is an authority for music reviews, in-depth interviews, hard-hitting political commentary and award-winning journalism across print, digital, mobile, video, social and events. Operated and published by Penske Media Corporation, Rolling Stone provides “all the news that fits.”
ABOUT DOGFISH HEAD CRAFT BREWERY
With quality, creativity and non-conformity at its core, Dogfish Head has been committed to brewing unique beers with high-caliber culinary ingredients outside the Reinheitsgebot since the day it opened more than 30 years ago. Dedicated to exploring goodness of all kinds, Dogfish Head later expanded its beverage artistry beyond just craft beer to produce award-winning portfolios of full-proof spirits – whiskeys, gins, vodkas, rums and more – and spirits-based, ready-to-drink canned cocktails. A Boston Beer Company brand and proud supporter of the Independent Craft Brewing Seal, Dogfish Head is a Delaware-based entity consisting of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, a production brewery and tasting room; Dogfish Head Distilling Co., a production distillery; Brewings & Eats, a brewpub and live music venue; Chesapeake & Maine, a seafood and cocktail spot; and the Dogfish INN, a beer-themed, canal-front hotel. For more about Dogfish Head, please visit www.dogfish.com or follow the brand on social media.
ABOUT SUN CRUISER
Made for those who enjoy the sun on their face and hanging outdoors with friends, Sun Cruiser Iced Tea & Vodka and Sun Cruiser Lemonade & Vodka are made with real ingredients and premium vodka for a perfect choice to sip and share. At just 100 calories, 4.5% ABV per 12 oz serving, 1 gram of sugar, and no bubbles to weigh you down, Sun Cruiser has just a kiss of sweetness and tastes refreshingly smooth in a mix of delicious flavors. Drinkers can enjoy a variety of Sun Cruiser flavors, including Classic Iced Tea, Peach Iced Tea, Raspberry Iced Tea, Half & Half, Lemonade, Pink Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Blueberry Lemonade, and the new White Tea. For more information, follow along on social @DrinkSunCruiser and visit us at drinksuncruiser.com.
ABOUT ANGRY ORCHARD
The leading cider across the country, Angry Orchard's cider makers experiment with apple varieties near and far to continuously develop new cider styles and flavors. Crafted with real apples and the highest quality ingredients, Angry Orchard is balanced, refreshing, and full of flavor, with a wide variety of styles fit for all. At the home of Angry Orchard on a 60-acre apple orchard in New York's Hudson Valley, the team of cider makers create small-batch experimentation with fruit grown right on-site while offering an experience for guests to sip cider amongst the trees. To learn more about Angry Orchard, visit AngryOrchard.com. Please drink responsibly.
ABOUT SCOUT MOTORS
The Scout®, produced by International Harvester from 1961-80, was the world’s first utility vehicle capable of both off-road adventure and family duty. It was the 8-day-a-week truck.
In 2022, Scout Motors was formed to craft the next era of Scout vehicles rooted in the same tradition that made the original an American icon. The company is as rugged as its vehicles. Built to last, from the dirt up, by passionate people. American-born and American-built, the new Scout vehicles will be designed and engineered in Michigan and manufactured in South Carolina.
There’s plenty of road ahead as Scout Motors brings the Scout Traveler™ and Scout Terra™ to life and create thousands of good-paying jobs. This is the next great American motor company—rooted in history, driven by community, and forging the future.
ABOUT HERTZ
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. is one of the world’s leading car rental and mobility solutions providers. Its subsidiaries, including The Hertz Corporation, and licensees operate the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, and Firefly vehicle rental brands, with more than 11,000 rental locations in 160 countries around the globe. The Company also operates the Hertz Car Sales brand, which offers a range of quality, competitively priced used cars for sale online and at locations across the United States, and the Hertz 24/7 car-sharing business in Europe. For more information about Hertz, visit www.hertz.com.

LEGENDARY SONGWRITER AND BEST-SELLING FEMALE COUNTRY ARTIST SHANIA TWAIN WILL TAKE THE STAGE TO HOST THE
61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS FOR THE FIRST TIME
61st ACM Awards Makes Its Triumphant Return to Las Vegas on May 17, 2026
Streaming Live Around the Globe from MGM Grand Garden Arena,
Exclusively on Prime Video and Amazon Music
Great Seats for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards Week Events Just Released at AXS.COM

Media and Social Assets HERE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — April 22, 2026 — Today, the Academy of Country Music® (ACM), Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) announced that legendary songwriter and best-selling female country artist Shania Twain will host the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards for the first time. The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.
As the top-selling female country-pop artist of all time, globally celebrated songwriter, artist, and performer Shania Twain has established herself as one of music’s most iconic and influential voices. A three-time ACM Award winner and five-time GRAMMY Award winner, Twain helped redefine country music for a global audience with her bold, boundary-pushing sound and undeniable crossover appeal. With six acclaimed studio albums and more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, her influence continues to shape the music industry today.
“I’m thrilled to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home.” said Twain. “It’s such an honor to be part of this incredible night celebrating Country Music’s biggest stars, especially with so many talented women leading nominations this year. I can’t wait to welcome all of the fans and artists out for this unforgettable night.”
“We are honored to welcome global music superstar Shania Twain as our host this year,” ACM CEO Damon Whiteside said. “We couldn’t imagine a more perfect icon to follow our previous iconic hosts, Dolly, Garth, and Reba, blending one of the most important nights in Country Music with the excitement of Las Vegas . Shania has an impressive history on the ACM Awards stage including her win of the coveted ACM Entertainer of the Year trophy and receiving the ACM Poet’s Award honoring her prolific songwriting career.”
Returning to the Sunday night timeslot, the Emmy-nominated, star-powered ACM Awards experience will feature unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments from the biggest Country Music stars, including performances by Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
Leading up to the big night, the Academy of Country Music will take over Las Vegas with previously announced ACM Awards week events including a “Whiskey Jam Welcome Party” at Ole Red Las Vegas on Thursday, May 14 with Avery Anna, Caroline Jones, Jenna Paulette, and The Band Perry; “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas Friday, May 15 with Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and Rodney Atkins, alongside headliner Riley Green; as well as “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach Saturday, May 16 with Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, Keith Urban, Tucker Wetmore, and more.
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com, offering fans exclusive entry into a nonstop weekend packed with performances by their favorite Country stars.
Fans can also stream the Official ACM Awards playlist available now on Amazon Music in celebration of this year’s nominees. Fans can listen to country music’s biggest stars, such as Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson, directly on the Amazon Music app HERE.
Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards show and made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video. The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton are executive producers, with Kapoor also serving as showrunner. Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. The Media Credential Application to cover on-site in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now available HERE.
The Mountain Valley® Spring Water (Instagram: @mountainvalleywater) is the Official Water of the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Follow the Academy of Country Music on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, join the conversation with #ACMawards, and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List to be the first to know the latest news and for exclusive pre-sale opportunities.
About the Academy of Country Music:
Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown over the past 60 years into a leading association for the Country Music industry. Headquartered in Nashville, TN and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2026 continues to be a landmark year for the Academy, building on last year’s success of the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, which returned to the Dallas Cowboys' world headquarters in Texas for a third consecutive year and streamed live to a global audience on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents ACM Level Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, among other initiatives. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.
About Dick Clark Productions:
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.
About Prime Video:
Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one app available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can customize their viewing experience and find their favorite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports – including Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Red One, Road House, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, Cross, and The Idea of You; licensed fan favorites; Prime member exclusive access to coverage of live sports including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, and acclaimed sports documentaries including Bye Bye Barry and Kelce; and programming from partners such as Apple TV+, Max, Crunchyroll and MGM+ via Prime Video add-on subscriptions, as well as more than 500 free ad-supported (FAST) Channels. Prime members in the U.S. can share a variety of benefits, including Prime Video, by using Amazon Household. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles via the Prime Video Store and can enjoy even more content for free with ads. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favorite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info, visit www.amazon.com/primevideo.
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60th ACM Awards Electronic Press Kit
Show Clips HERE; Getty Images HERE; EPK/Video Footage HERE
New York, NY, April 20, 2026: Today, SHE Media announced the appointment of Lauren Iannotti as its new Chief Content and Live Events Officer. Iannotti will report to Kristen Fairback, Chief Commercial Officer of SHE Media, and will be based in New York.
In this role, Iannotti will lead the strategic direction, growth, and execution of SHE Media’s content and live events portfolio across its flagship brands, including SheKnows, Flow Space, StyleCaster, and Soaps. She will also oversee the company’s expanding live media footprint, including the SHE Media Co-Lab at SXSW and Women’s Health Summits.
Iannotti will be responsible for shaping SHE Media’s long-term content vision, driving differentiation and leadership across women’s lifestyle, health, and family categories, and deepening audience engagement through both editorial and experiential offerings.
“Lauren is a highly strategic and dynamic editorial leader with a sharp instinct for where content, audience, and business intersect,” said Kristen Fairback, Chief Commercial Officer of SHE Media. “She brings a clear vision for how to evolve our brands across platforms, with a sharp understanding of how to drive audience growth and expand content into new revenue opportunities. Her experience building premium content alongside impactful live experiences will help scale SHE Media’s next chapter.”
"I can't wait to dig in and support the talented content leads on these brands,whose mission, collectively, has been the same as mine for most of my career: to advocate for women, offering information and inspiration to improve their lives,” said Iannotti. “It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to build on that work and continue finding new ways to connect with women that are resonant and meaningful today.”
Lauren Iannotti is an award-winning media executive who has spent over 25 years making content at household-name brands, including Glamour, Marie Claire, Allure, and O, The Oprah Magazine. She served most recently as editor-in-chief and VP at Real Simple, a People Inc. property, where she reenvisioned the beloved,30MM-reach brand, driving growth on all platforms. A business-minded creative, she diversified the business and found new revenue streams, launching live events, multiple licensing lines, podcasts and more.
This appointment comes at a moment of continued evolution and expansion for SHE Media and its portfolio of brands. As the company deepens its investment in both content and live experiences, Iannotti will play a key role in shaping its next phase of growth.
About SHEMedia:
As a top 10 lifestyle media company, SHE Media focuses on the power of content and community to move our culture forward. SHE Media believes that media companies can and should be a force for good in the world. The company’s rich editorial ranges from health, food, and family to career and entertainment. SHE Media’s flagship brands SheKnows, Flow Space, StyleCaster, and Soaps produce award-winning lifestyle content and events that reflect the passion and purpose of the company. In addition to the flagship brands, the SHE Media Collective supports thousands of independent publishers and content creators with technology, education, and monetization opportunities to grow their businesses.
New York, NY, April 20, 2026: Today, SHE Media announced the appointment of Lauren Iannotti as its new Chief Content and Live Events Officer. Iannotti will report to Kristen Fairback, Chief Commercial Officer of SHE Media, and will be based in New York.
In this role, Iannotti will lead the strategic direction, growth, and execution of SHE Media’s content and live events portfolio across its flagship brands, including SheKnows, Flow Space, StyleCaster, and Soaps. She will also oversee the company’s expanding live media footprint, including the SHE Media Co-Lab at SXSW and Women’s Health Summits.
Iannotti will be responsible for shaping SHE Media’s long-term content vision, driving differentiation and leadership across women’s lifestyle, health, and family categories, and deepening audience engagement through both editorial and experiential offerings.
“Lauren is a highly strategic and dynamic editorial leader with a sharp instinct for where content, audience, and business intersect,” said Kristen Fairback, Chief Commercial Officer of SHE Media. “She brings a clear vision for how to evolve our brands across platforms, with a sharp understanding of how to drive audience growth and expand content into new revenue opportunities. Her experience building premium content alongside impactful live experiences will help scale SHE Media’s next chapter.”
"I can't wait to dig in and support the talented content leads on these brands,whose mission, collectively, has been the same as mine for most of my career: to advocate for women, offering information and inspiration to improve their lives,” said Iannotti. “It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to build on that work and continue finding new ways to connect with women that are resonant and meaningful today.”
Lauren Iannotti is an award-winning media executive who has spent over 25 years making content at household-name brands, including Glamour, Marie Claire, Allure, and O, The Oprah Magazine. She served most recently as editor-in-chief and VP at Real Simple, a People Inc. property, where she reenvisioned the beloved,30MM-reach brand, driving growth on all platforms. A business-minded creative, she diversified the business and found new revenue streams, launching live events, multiple licensing lines, podcasts and more.
This appointment comes at a moment of continued evolution and expansion for SHE Media and its portfolio of brands. As the company deepens its investment in both content and live experiences, Iannotti will play a key role in shaping its next phase of growth.
About SHEMedia:
As a top 10 lifestyle media company, SHE Media focuses on the power of content and community to move our culture forward. SHE Media believes that media companies can and should be a force for good in the world. The company’s rich editorial ranges from health, food, and family to career and entertainment. SHE Media’s flagship brands SheKnows, Flow Space, StyleCaster, and Soaps produce award-winning lifestyle content and events that reflect the passion and purpose of the company. In addition to the flagship brands, the SHE Media Collective supports thousands of independent publishers and content creators with technology, education, and monetization opportunities to grow their businesses.
WOMEN LEAD NOMINATIONS FOR THE 61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
Nominations are Led by Megan Moroney (nine), Followed by Miranda Lambert (eight), Ella Langley (seven), Lainey Wilson (seven), Chris Stapleton (six), Zach Top (five), and Cody Johnson (four)
61st ACM Awards Returns to Las Vegas on May 17, 2026
Live from MGM Grand Garden Arena,
Exclusively on Prime Video and Amazon Music
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards Week Events are Now Available at AXS.COM

Media and Social Assets HERE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — April 9, 2026 — Today, the Academy of Country Music® (ACM), Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) announced nominations for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, with Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson receiving the most nominations. The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.
Returning to the Sunday night timeslot, the Emmy-nominated, star-powered ACM Awards experience will feature unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments from the biggest Country Music stars, including performances by Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. Leading up to the big night, the Academy of Country Music will take over Las Vegas with previously announced ACM Awards week events including “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas Friday, May 15 with Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and Rodney Atkins, alongside headliner Riley Green, as well as “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach Saturday, May 16 with Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, Tucker Wetmore, and more.
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com, offering fans exclusive entry into a nonstop weekend packed with performances by their favorite Country stars.
Fans can also stream the Official ACM Awards playlist available now on Amazon Music in celebration of this year’s nominees. Fans can listen to country music’s biggest stars, such as Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson, directly on the Amazon Music app HERE.
NOMINEE HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE 61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS:
- Female artists lead with the most nominations, including Megan Moroney with nine nominations, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight nominations, and then followed by Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson, tied with seven nominations each.
- Megan Moroney leads with the most nominations, and the most nominations across categories, with nine total, including her first nomination for Entertainer of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and third consecutive nomination for Female Artist of the Year and Visual Media of the Year (“6 Months Later”) as an Artist, and her first as Director. Moroney also receives nominations for Song of the Year (“Am I Ok?”) as an Artist and Songwriter, Single of the Year (“6 Months Later”), and Music Event of the Year (“You Had To Be There") with Kenny Chesney.
- Miranda Lambert, the most-decorated artist in ACM Awards history, receives eight nominations, the most nominations she’s received in a single year since 2016. She receives her 17th nomination for Female Artist of the Year and her ninth nomination for Song of the Year, and 16th total nomination (including Artist and Songwriter credits) in the category.
- Ella Langley, the reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year, receives seven nominations. This is her first nomination in the Artist-Songwriter of the Year category, as well as her first nomination credited as a Producer for Single of the Year (“Choosin’ Texas”).
- Lainey Wilson, the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, receives seven nominations. This marks her fourth consecutive nomination for Female Artist of the Year and third straight nod for Entertainer of the Year, categories she has won every year she’s been nominated. Wilson’s nomination for Song of the Year (“Somewhere Over Laredo”), marks her fifth consecutive in the category and ninth total nomination overall (including Artist and Songwriter credits) in the category.
- Chris Stapleton, the reigning Male Artist of the Year, receives the most nominations for a male artist with six total, including his fifth consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year and his 11th consecutive nomination for Male Artist of the Year (an award he’s won five times).
- Zach Top, the reigning New Male Artist of the Year, receives five nominations, including his first for Male Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“I Never Lie”), both as an Artist and Songwriter, and for Single of the Year (“I Never Lie”).
- Cody Johnson receives his third consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year, as well as his fourth consecutive nomination for Visual Media of the Year (“The Fall”).
- Riley Green receives four nominations, his third consecutive for Music Event of the Year, and his first-ever nominations for Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe), and Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
- Morgan Wallen receives his fourth consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and his third nomination for Album of the Year (I’m The Problem).
- Luke Combs receives his seventh consecutive nomination for both Entertainer of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. A win for Combs in the Entertainer category will also clinch the coveted Triple Crown Award, which consists of an Entertainer of the Year win, plus wins in an act’s respective New Artist (Male, Female, Duo or Group) and Artist (Male, Female, Duo or Group) categories. Past ACM Triple Crown Award recipients include Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, and others. Combs earns his third nomination for Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
- Jelly Roll receives his third consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year.
- Parker McCollum receives his first-ever nomination for Album of the Year (Parker McCollum).
- Old Dominion receive their 11th consecutive nomination for Group of the Year. The group has taken home the title every year for the last eight years, passing Rascal Flatts for the most consecutive wins in the category.
- Brothers Osborne receive their 19th overall nomination. This is their 12th consecutive year being nominated for Duo of the Year, an award the pair has brought home four times.
- Kelsea Ballerini receives her ninth nomination for Female Artist of the Year.
- Rascal Flatts receive their 14th nomination for Group of the Year.
- Reba McEntire receives her first nomination since 2020, making this her seventh nomination for Music Event of the Year (“Trailblazer”).
- Every Song of the Year nominee is also credited as a songwriter on their respective track, with Miranda Lambert earning two separate nominations in the category.
FIRST TIME NOMINEES INCLUDE:
- 49 Winchester
- Avery Anna
- Mackenzie Carpenter
- Carter Faith
- Caroline Jones
- Vincent Mason
- Emily Ann Roberts
- Thelma & James (*MacKenzie Porter nominated for Music Event of the Year in 2022 with Dustin Lynch)
- Hudson Westbrook
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
The following is the full list of nominees for the ACM Main Awards categories:
MAIN AWARDS:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- Cody Johnson
- Megan Moroney
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
GROUP OF THE YEAR
- 49 Winchester
- Flatland Cavalry
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays
DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- Thelma & James
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Avery Anna
- Mackenzie Carpenter
- Dasha
- Caroline Jones
- Emily Ann Roberts
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Gavin Adcock
- Vincent Mason
- Shaboozey
- Hudson Westbrook
- Tucker Wetmore
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- Ain’t In It For My Health - Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33
- Cherry Valley - Carter Faith
Producer: Tofer Brown
Record Company-Label: Gatsby Records / MCA
- Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) - Riley Green
Producer: Dann Huff, Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
- I’m The Problem - Morgan Wallen
Producers: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett
Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records
- Parker McCollum - Parker McCollum
Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse
Record Company-Label: MCA
SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
- A Song To Sing - Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure
Publishers: I Wrote These Songs; Pink Dog Publishing; Songs for the Munch Music; Songs of Influence; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp
- Am I Okay? - Megan Moroney
Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon
Publishers: Big Ass Pile of Dimes Music; Big Music Machine
- Choosin’ Texas - Ella Langley
Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor
Publishers: Bada Bing & Bada Langley Publishing; Little Louder Songs; Sony Music Publishing
- I Never Lie - Zach Top
Songwriters: Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols
Publishers: Music and Magazine Publishing; Rio Bravo Music Inc; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Too Broke to Quit Music; Zach Top Music
- Somewhere Over Laredo - Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg
Publishers: Concord Sounds; Dtown Boogie Music; Emi Feist Catalog Inc; Songs Of Riser House; Songs Of Wild Cat Well Music; Sony/ATV Countryside; Story Farmer; Tacklebox Music Publishing
SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- 6 Months Later - Megan Moroney
Producers: Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
- Choosin’ Texas - Ella Langley
Producers: Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Ben West
Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records
- I Never Lie - Zach Top
Producers: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33
- Somewhere Over Laredo - Lainey Wilson
Producers: Jay Joyce
Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville / Broken Bow Records
- The Fall - Cody Johnson
Producers: Trent Willmon
Record Company-Label: CoJo Music / Warner Records Nashville
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- A Song To Sing - Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb
Record Company-Label: Republic Records
- Amen - Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
Producers: Danny Majic, Nevin Sastry, Sean Cook
Record Company-Label: Empire
- Don’t Mind If I Do - Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
Producers: Dann Huff, Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
- Trailblazer - Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
Producers: Tony Brown, Reba McEntire
Record Company-Label: MCA
- You Had To Be There - Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Producers: Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
- 6 Months Later - Megan Moroney
Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: CeCe Dawson, Megan Moroney
- A Song To Sing - Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Producers: James Stratakis
Director: Alexa King Stone, Stephen Kinigopoulos
- Cuckoo -Stephen Wilson, Jr.
Producers: Tim Cofield
Director: Tim Cofield
- Somewhere Over Laredo - Lainey Wilson
Producers: Katie Babbage
Director: TK McKamy
- The Fall - Cody Johnson
Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: Dustin Haney
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Jessie Jo Dillon
- Ashley Gorley
- Charlie Handsome
- Chase McGill
- Blake Pendergrass
ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Morgan Wallen
NOMINEES IN NUMERICAL ORDER:
- Megan Moroney (9): Entertainer of the Year; Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Single of the Year, Music Event of the Year; Visual Media of the Year (Artist and Director nominations); Artist-Songwriter of the Year
- Miranda Lambert (8): Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (“A Song To Sing” - Artist and Songwriter nominations); Song of the Year (“Choosin’ Texas” - Songwriter nomination); Single of the Year (Producer nomination); Music Event of the Year (“A Song To Sing” and “Trailblazer”); Visual Media of the Year
- Ella Langley (7): Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Single of the Year (Artist and Producer nominations); Music Event of the Year; Artist-Songwriter of the Year
- Lainey Wilson (7): Entertainer of the Year; Female Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter); Single of the Year; Music Event of the Year; Visual Media of the Year
- Chris Stapleton (6): Entertainer of the Year; Male Artist of the Year; Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Music Event of the Year, Visual Media of the Year
- Zach Top (5): Male Artist of the Year; Album of the Year, Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter nominations); Single of the Year
- Riley Green (4): Male Artist of the Year; Album of the Year; Music Event of the Year; Artist-Songwriter of the Year
- Cody Johnson (4): Entertainer of the Year; Male Artist of the Year; Single of the Year; Visual Media of the Year
- Luke Combs (3): Entertainer of the Year; Male Artist of the Year; Artist-Songwriter
- Morgan Wallen (3): Entertainer of the Year; Album of the Year; Artist-Songwriter
- Jelly Roll (2): Entertainer of the Year; Music Event of the Year
- Reba McEntire (2): Music Event of the Year; Music Event of the Year (Producer)
- Shaboozey (2): New Male Artist of the Year; Music Event of the Year
- 49 Winchester (1): Group of the Year
- Gavin Adcock (1): New Male Artist of the Year
- Avery Anna (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini (1): Female Artist of the Year
- Brooks & Dunn (1): Duo of the Year
- Brothers Osborne (1): Duo of the Year
- Mackenzie Carpenter (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Kenny Chesney (1): Music Event of the Year
- Dan + Shay (1): Duo of the Year
- Dasha (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Carter Faith (1): Album of the Year
- Flatland Cavalry (1): Group of the Year
- Caroline Jones (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Vincent Mason (1): New Male Artist of the Year
- Parker McCollum (1): Album of the Year
- Muscadine Bloodline (1): Duo of the Year
- Old Dominion (1): Group of the Year
- Rascal Flatts (1): Group of the Year
- The Red Clay Strays (1): Group of the Year
- Emily Ann Roberts (1): New Female Artist of the Year
- Thelma & James (1): Duo of the Year
- Hudson Westbrook (1): New Male Artist of the Year
- Tucker Wetmore (1): New Male Artist of the Year
- Stephen Wilson Jr. (1): Visual Media of the Year
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- The eligibility period for submissions for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
- The awards count for artists reflects categories in which they have been recognized as individuals or as part of their duo or group. In some cases, an artist may receive more than one nomination per category, such as producer, director, or songwriter, which factors into their official count.
- Award recipients in each category are noted above in brackets in the Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Video of the Year, and Music Event of the Year.
- Awards are voted on by members of the Academy of Country Music, which boasts a record-high membership this year of more than 5,000 members and serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business.
- A full database of previous Academy of Country Music Awards nominations and winners can be found on the Academy of Country Music website in the “Past Winners” section found HERE.
Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards show and made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video. The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton are executive producers, with Kapoor also serving as showrunner. Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Additional performers, presenters, ACM Awards week events, and the host will be announced in the coming weeks. The Media Credential Application to cover on-site in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now available HERE.
The Mountain Valley® Spring Water (Instagram: @mountainvalleywater) is the Official Water of the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Follow the Academy of Country Music on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, join the conversation with #ACMawards, and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List to be the first to know the latest news and for exclusive pre-sale opportunities.
About the Academy of Country Music:
Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown over the past 60 years into a leading association for the Country Music industry. Headquartered in Nashville, TN and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2026 continues to be a landmark year for the Academy, building on last year’s success of the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, which returned to the Dallas Cowboys' world headquarters in Texas for a third consecutive year and streamed live to a global audience on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents ACM Level Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, among other initiatives. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.
About Dick Clark Productions:
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.
About Prime Video:
Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one app available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can customize their viewing experience and find their favorite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports – including Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Red One, Road House, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, Cross, and The Idea of You; licensed fan favorites; Prime member exclusive access to coverage of live sports including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, and acclaimed sports documentaries including Bye Bye Barry and Kelce; and programming from partners such as Apple TV+, Max, Crunchyroll and MGM+ via Prime Video add-on subscriptions, as well as more than 500 free ad-supported (FAST) Channels. Prime members in the U.S. can share a variety of benefits, including Prime Video, by using Amazon Household. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles via the Prime Video Store and can enjoy even more content for free with ads. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favorite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info, visit www.amazon.com/primevideo.
###
60th ACM Awards Electronic Press Kit
Show Clips HERE; Getty Images HERE; EPK/Video Footage HERE

KACEY MUSGRAVES, LITTLE BIG TOWN, AND MIRANDA LAMBERT ADDED TO PERFORMANCE LINEUP FOR THE 61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
61st ACM Awards Returns to Las Vegas on May 17, 2026
Live from MGM Grand Garden Arena,
Exclusively on Prime Video and Amazon Music
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards Week Events are Now Available at AXS.COM

Media and Social Assets HERE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — April 7, 2026 — Today, the Academy of Country Music® (ACM), Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) announced the next round of powerhouse performers set to take the stage at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, including Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, and Miranda Lambert with many more unforgettable performances to be revealed in the coming weeks. They join previously announced superstar performers Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Riley Green. The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.
Returning to the Sunday night timeslot, the Emmy-nominated, star-powered experience will feature unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments from the biggest Country Music stars, all while celebrating the genre’s most iconic and emerging talent. Seven-time ACM Award recipient Kacey Musgraves will make her ACM Awards performance debut with a new song from her upcoming sixth studio album, Middle of Nowhere, out May 1. Eight-time ACM Award-winning group Little Big Town will take the stage for a special performance. Miranda Lambert, the most decorated artist in ACM Award history, is set to deliver a showstopping performance.
Leading up to the big night, the Academy of Country Music will take over Las Vegas with previously announced ACM Awards week events including “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas Friday, May 15 with Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and Rodney Atkins, alongside headliner Riley Green, as well as “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach Saturday, May 16 with Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, Tucker Wetmore, and more.
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com, offering fans exclusive entry into a nonstop weekend packed with performances by their favorite Country stars.
Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards show and made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video. The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton are executive producers, with Kapoor also serving as showrunner. Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Nominations for the 61st ACM Awards will be announced on Thursday, April 9, 2026, with many more unforgettable performances, presenters, ACM Awards Week events, and the host to be revealed in the coming weeks. The Media Credential Application to cover on-site in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now available HERE.
The Mountain Valley® Spring Water (Instagram: @mountainvalleywater) is the Official Water of the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Follow the Academy of Country Music on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, join the conversation with #ACMawards, and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List to be the first to know the latest news and for exclusive pre-sale opportunities.
About the Academy of Country Music:
Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown over the past 60 years into a leading association for the Country Music industry. Headquartered in Nashville, TN and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2026 continues to be a landmark year for the Academy, building on last year’s success of the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, which returned to the Dallas Cowboys' world headquarters in Texas for a third consecutive year and streamed live to a global audience on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents ACM Level Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, among other initiatives. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.
About Dick Clark Productions:
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.
About Prime Video:
Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one app available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can customize their viewing experience and find their favorite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports – including Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Red One, Road House, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, Cross, and The Idea of You; licensed fan favorites; Prime member exclusive access to coverage of live sports including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, and acclaimed sports documentaries including Bye Bye Barry and Kelce; and programming from partners such as Apple TV+, Max, Crunchyroll and MGM+ via Prime Video add-on subscriptions, as well as more than 500 free ad-supported (FAST) Channels. Prime members in the U.S. can share a variety of benefits, including Prime Video, by using Amazon Household. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles via the Prime Video Store and can enjoy even more content for free with ads. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favorite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info, visit www.amazon.com/primevideo.
###
60th ACM Awards Electronic Press Kit
Show Clips HERE; Getty Images HERE; EPK/Video Footage HERE

QUEEN LATIFAH TO HOST THE 52ND AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS
Marking 30 Years Since Her AMAs Hosting Debut, the Legendary Artist, Actor, Producer, and Entrepreneur Will Welcome Audiences to the World’s Largest Fan-Voted Awards Show
The Star-Studded Annual Special Airs Live on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on CBS and Paramount+
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW ON AXS

[EDITOR’S NOTE]: For assets, click HERE | For past performance clips, click HERE
Los Angeles, CA - April 6, 2026 - Today, CBS and Dick Clark Productions (DCP), the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming, announced that Grammy® award-winning musician, critically acclaimed Emmy and Golden Globe®-winning and Academy Award®-nominated actress and producer Queen Latifah will host the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs). Queen Latifah has a longstanding history with the AMAs, previously serving as a co-host in 1995, and delivering memorable performances in the years since.
As one of music’s most anticipated nights of the year, the 52nd American Music Awards returns to CBS and Paramount+ on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the largest venue in the show’s history, to honor the most influential artists and songs of today alongside unforgettable performances and special moments in a multi-genre, cross-generational celebration of music.
Tickets for the star-studded must-see show are now available on AXS.
“I am so excited to return to the American Music Awards stage to host this year,” said Latifah. “It’s been an incredible year for music and there is no better place to celebrate than in Vegas.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Queen Latifah back as host of the American Music Awards,” said Jay Penske, CEO, Dick Clark Productions. “A true powerhouse and trailblazer, she brings a dynamic presence and deep connection to both fans and fellow artists, making her the perfect choice to lead a night celebrating the biggest names and most defining moments in music.”
Queen Latifah is a Grammy-winning artist and Oscar-nominated actress whose career spans music, film, television, and production. She earned an Academy Award nomination, along with Golden Globe and SAG nominations, for her role as “Mama Morton” in Chicago, and won both a Golden Globe and SAG Award for Life Support. A trailblazer in entertainment, she became the first hip-hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006 and has received seven Grammy nominations, winning Best Rap Solo Performance in 1994. Her cultural impact was further recognized with the National Medal of the Arts in 2024 and honors at the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors. Beyond acting, she has built a successful production career through Flavor Unit Entertainment, producing films and television projects including Bessie and The Perfect Holiday.
Making her big screen debut in Spike Lee’s 1991 film, Jungle Fever, Latifah then starred in Set It Off and co-starred with Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito in the critically acclaimed Living Out Loud. From 1993-1998, Latifah starred in the network comedy “Living Single.” Following Chicago, she starred in and executive-produced the box office hit Bringing Down the House. Her additional film credits include The Secret Life of Bees, alongside Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning; Neil Meron and Craig Zadan’s Hairspray; Mad Money opposite Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes; Just Wright; Joyful Noise; The Last Holiday; Beauty Shop; Girls Trip alongside Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish; and Hustle opposite Adam Sandler. She took to the stage and small screen performing as the title character in the television musical The Wiz Live! and as “Ursula” in ABC’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
In recent years, Latifah headlined and executive produced CBS’ “The Equalizer,” which became the #1 new series in the 2020-2021 season. Looking ahead, she is set to reprise her role as “Ellie” in Ice Age: Boiling Point, continuing her long-running involvement in the popular animated franchise.
Nominations for the 52nd American Music Awards will be announced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Fan voting opens the same day, April 14, and will remain open until May 8, 2026.
Additional details, including performers, presenters, and special honorees for the 52nd AMAs, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Named one of 2025’s most-watched television specials, last year’s top-rated 51st American Music Awards reached over 10 million unique viewers across its CBS and Paramount+ premiere on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, and encores on MTV, CMT, and BET. The CBS broadcast marked the show’s largest audience since 2019 with a +38% increase over its last live airing in 2022 on ABC.
Airing for the first time on Memorial Day, the 2025 AMAs kicked off summer with host Jennifer Lopez, who returned to host a decade after her AMAs hosting debut in 2015. She opened the 51st American Music Awards in spectacular fashion, delivering a non-stop, breathtaking medley of 23 of the year’s biggest hits. Performances included ICON Award recipient Janet Jackson; Alex Warren, Becky G and Manuel Turizo, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, Reneé Rapp, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Rod Stewart.
About the American Music Awards:
- Celebrating the year’s most iconic music, the American Music Awards is the world’s largest fan-voted award show, honoring today’s most influential artists and their passionate fanbases.
- Created by legendary producer and visionary Dick Clark and first awarded in 1974, the American Music Awards is known for delivering half a century worth of iconic performances and enduring moments that have defined and shaped pop culture, as well as a history of introducing audiences to breakthrough artists.
- The American Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions.
For the latest news, exclusive content, and updates, follow the AMAs:
Website: TheAMAs.com
X: @AMAs
Instagram: @AMAs
TikTok: @AMAs
Facebook: @AMAs
Threads: @AMAs
YouTube: @TheAMAs
Hashtag: #AMAs
About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‐generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct‐to‐Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most‐watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.
About Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com
About MGM Grand Garden Arena
The MGM Grand Garden Arena is home to concerts, championship boxing and premier sporting and special events. The Arena offers comfortable seating for as many as 16,800 with excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting and sound. Prominent events to date have included world championship fights between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao; and concerts by The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, George Strait, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, U2, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Jimmy Buffett and the Barbra Streisand Millennium Concert. The MGM Grand Garden Arena also has been home to annual events including the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the Latin GRAMMY Awards, iHeartRadio Music Festival, Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Championship and Frozen Fury NHL pre-season games hosted by the Los Angeles Kings.
*Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
# # #
[MEDIA APPLICATION] For more about press opportunities leading up to the show and on-site in Las Vegas, please fill out the Press Credential Application at your earliest convenience.
# # #
QUEEN LATIFAH
Queen Latifah is a Grammy award-winning musician, critically acclaimed television and Oscar-nominated film actress, producer, label president, author and entrepreneur. Latifah has had amazing success since her career began in Hollywood and became the first hip-hop artist to be crowned with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe nomination and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award nomination for her portrayal of “Mama Morton” in the feature musical CHICAGO. She also received an Emmy Award nomination, a Golden Globe win, and a SAG Award win for her role in the cable film LIFE SUPPORT. She received a National Medal of the Arts from the United States Government in 2024 and was a 2023 honoree at The 46th Kennedy Center Honors.
Making her big screen debut in Spike Lee’s 1991 film, JUNGLE FEVER, Latifah then starred in SET IT OFF and co-starred with Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito in the critically acclaimed LIVING OUT LOUD. From 1993-1998, Latifah starred in the network comedy “Living Single.” Following CHICAGO, she starred in and executive-produced the box office hit BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE. Her additional film credits include THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, alongside Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning; Neil Meron and Craig Zadan’s HAIRSPRAY, MAD MONEY opposite Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes; JUST WRIGHT; JOYFUL NOISE; THE LAST HOLIDAY; and BEAUTY SHOP. She also starred in and executive-produced the cable movie adaptation of STEEL MAGNOLIAS. From 2013-2014, she was the host of “The Queen Latifah Show,” which she produced with partner Shakim Compere and Overbrook Entertainment’s Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and James Lassiter.
In May 2015, Latifah made her way back to the small screen, earning an Emmy Award nomination, Golden Globe nomination and a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for her role in the cable film BESSIE, which she also produced.
In 2017, Latifah starred in the hit comedy GIRLS TRIP, alongside Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish. She also starred in the 2016 faith-based movie MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, opposite Jennifer Garner, and reprised her role in ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE. Latifah also starred in the FOX hit series “Star,” which had its series finale May 2019. Additionally, she took to the stage and small screen performing as the title character in the television musical THE WIZ LIVE!, alongside Uzo Aduba, Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo, Common and David Alan Grier.
Latifah has earned seven Grammy Award nominations, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1994. In 2004, she was nominated for Best Female Rap Solo Performance for “Go Head.” In 2005, she was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album for “The Dana Owens Album,” and in 2008, she was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for “Trav’lin Light.”
Flavor Unit Entertainment, the production company owned and operated by Latifah and her partner Shakim Compere, was behind the hit feature comedies BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, BEAUTY SHOP, and THE PERFECT HOLIDAY. Flavor Unit also produced the films THE COOKOUT, JUST WRIGHT, and END OF THE ROAD, as well as cable films BESSIE, and LIFE SUPPORT. Together, Latifah and Compere produced THE REAL MVP: THE WANDA PRATT STORY, “The Best Place to Be,” “Curvy Style with Timothy Snell,” “The Perfect Match” and “The Rap Game.” Additionally, Flavor Unit produced the one-hour special event “Dear Mama,” which premiered on Mother’s Day, and has been renewed as an annual special.
In November of 2019, Latifah was seen as Ursula in ABC’s live-action remake of THE LITTLE MERMAID. In April 2020, she starred in the Quibi drama, WHEN THE STREET LIGHTS GO ON, and executive produced Lifetime’s THE CLARK SISTERS: FIRST LADIES OF GOSPEL which became the highest-rated original movie for Lifetime since 2016. She also headlined the Netflix sports drama HUSTLE opposite Adam Sandler along with starring and producing Ray Giarratana’s THE TIGER RISING.
Latifah most recently starred in and executive produced the CBS series reboot of “The Equalizer,” which quickly became TV’s #1 scripted series when it premiered in 2021 and ran five seasons through 2025. Next, Latifah will return as the voice of wooly mammoth “Ellie” in ICE AGE: BOILING POINT, the franchise’s 6th installment releasing on February 5th, 2027.
MEDIA ALERT
TICKET ON-SALE DATES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 52ND AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS
Pre-Sale Tickets Available on Wednesday, March 25 at 10:00 a.m. PT
General On-Sale Starts Friday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. PT
The Star-Studded Annual Special Airs Live on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on CBS and Paramount+
[EDITOR’S NOTE]: Media assets available here
- Tickets for the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs) go on sale this week on AXS.com, giving fans the opportunity to experience this can’t-miss epic celebration of music live and in person!
- As one of music’s most anticipated nights of the year, the 52nd American Music Awards returns to CBS and Paramount+ on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the largest venue in the show’s history, to honor the most influential artists and songs of today alongside unforgettable performances and special moments in a multi-genre, cross-generational celebration of music.
- TICKET PRE-SALE: Tickets for the American Music Awards will be available for pre-sale beginning 10:00 a.m. PT/12:00 p.m. CT/1:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 25. Sign up at TheAMAs.com/Presale to receive a pre-sale code that will grant you access to purchase tickets in advance of the general public on-sale.
- GENERAL PUBLIC TICKET ON-SALE: Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10:00 a.m. PT/12:00 p.m. CT/1:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 27 at AXS.com.
- Nominations for the 52nd American Music Awards will be announced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Fan voting opens the same day, April 14, and will remain open until May 8, 2026.
- Additional details, including performers, presenters, and special honorees for the 52nd AMAs, will be announced in the coming weeks.
- Airing for the first time on Memorial Day, the 2025 AMAs kicked off summer with host Jennifer Lopez, who returned to host a decade after her AMAs hosting debut in 2015. She opened the 51st American Music Awards in spectacular fashion, delivering a non-stop, breathtaking medley of 23 of the year’s biggest hits. Performances included ICON Award recipient Janet Jackson; Alex Warren, Becky G and Manuel Turizo, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, Reneé Rapp, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Rod Stewart.
- Named one of 2025’s most-watched television specials, last year’s top-rated 51st American Music Awards reached over 10 million unique viewers across its CBS and Paramount+ premiere on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, and encores on MTV, CMT, and BET. The CBS broadcast marked the show’s largest audience since 2019 with a +38% increase over its last live airing in 2022 on ABC.
About the American Music Awards:
- Celebrating the year’s most iconic music, the American Music Awards is the world’s largest fan-voted award show, honoring today’s most influential artists and their passionate fanbases.
- Created by legendary producer and visionary Dick Clark and first awarded in 1974, the American Music Awards is known for delivering half a century worth of iconic performances and enduring moments that have defined and shaped pop culture, as well as a history of introducing audiences to breakthrough artists.
- The American Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions.
For the latest news, exclusive content, and updates, follow the AMAs:
Website: TheAMAs.com
X: @AMAs
Instagram: @AMAs
TikTok: @AMAs
Facebook: @AMAs
Threads: @AMAs
YouTube: @TheAMAs
Hashtag: #AMAs
About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‐generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct‐to‐Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most‐watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.
About Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com
About MGM Grand Garden Arena
The MGM Grand Garden Arena is home to concerts, championship boxing and premier sporting and special events. The Arena offers comfortable seating for as many as 16,800 with excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting and sound. Prominent events to date have included world championship fights between Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez as well as Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao; and concerts by The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, George Strait, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, U2, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Jimmy Buffett and the Barbra Streisand Millennium Concert. The MGM Grand Garden Arena also has been home to annual events including the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the Latin GRAMMY Awards, iHeartRadio Music Festival, Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Championship and Frozen Fury NHL pre-season games hosted by the Los Angeles Kings.
*Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
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[MEDIA APPLICATION] For more about press opportunities leading up to the show and on-site in Las Vegas, please fill out the Press Credential Application at your earliest convenience.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CODY JOHNSON, LAINEY WILSON, AND RILEY GREEN TO PERFORM AT THE 61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
61st ACM Awards Returns to Las Vegas on May 17, 2026
Live from MGM Grand Garden Arena,
Exclusively on Prime Video, Twitch, and Amazon Music
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards Week Events are Now Available at AXS.COM
Media and Social Assets HERE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — March 19, 2026 — Today, the Academy of Country Music® (ACM), Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) announced the first round of powerhouse performers set to take the stage at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, including Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Riley Green, with many more unforgettable performances to be revealed in the coming weeks. The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.
Returning to the Sunday night timeslot, the Emmy-nominated, star-powered experience will feature unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments from the biggest Country Music stars, all while celebrating the genre’s most iconic and emerging talent. ACM Award winner Cody Johnson will take the stage following his 2025 win for ACM Song of the Year. Reigning Entertainer of the Year and 16-time ACM Award recipient Lainey Wilson returns to the ACM Awards stage with the world premiere performance of “Can’t Sit Still.” Four-time ACM Award winner and 2026 ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green headliner, Riley Green, will deliver a performance of his hit song “Change My Mind.”
Previously announced ACM Awards week events include “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas, Friday, May 15, and “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach, Saturday, May 16.
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com, offering fans exclusive entry into a nonstop weekend packed with performances by their favorite Country stars.
Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards show and made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video. The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton are executive producers, with Kapoor also serving as showrunner. Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Additional performers, as well as nominations, presenters, ACM Awards week events, and the host, will be announced in the coming weeks. The Media Credential Application to cover on-site in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now available HERE.
The Mountain Valley® Spring Water (Instagram: @mountainvalleywater) is the Official Water of the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Follow the Academy of Country Music on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, join the conversation with #ACMawards, and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List to be the first to know the latest news and for exclusive pre-sale opportunities.
About the Academy of Country Music:
Founded in Southern California in 1964 as a regional trade organization, the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) has grown over the past 60 years into a leading association for the Country Music industry. Headquartered in Nashville, TN and boasting record-high membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the Academy serves as a powerhouse advocate for Country fans, artists, and all facets of the business, as well as a supporter of philanthropic work through charitable partner ACM LIFTING LIVES, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music and providing aid in times of need, with a focus on health initiatives. 2026 continues to be a landmark year for the Academy, building on last year’s success of the 60th ACM Awards, hosted by entertainment icon Reba McEntire, which returned to the Dallas Cowboys' world headquarters in Texas for a third consecutive year and streamed live to a global audience on Prime Video. The Academy also remains relentlessly committed to creating a more inclusive environment for underrepresented groups in Country Music, from the boardroom to the stage, and proudly presents ACM Level Up, a two-year professional development and enrichment curriculum for rising leaders, among other initiatives. For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.
About Dick Clark Productions:
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.
About Prime Video:
Prime Video is a first-stop entertainment destination offering customers a vast collection of premium programming in one app available across thousands of devices. On Prime Video, customers can customize their viewing experience and find their favorite movies, series, documentaries, and live sports – including Amazon MGM Studios-produced series and movies Red One, Road House, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Fallout, Reacher, The Boys, Cross, and The Idea of You; licensed fan favorites; Prime member exclusive access to coverage of live sports including Thursday Night Football, WNBA, and NWSL, and acclaimed sports documentaries including Bye Bye Barry and Kelce; and programming from partners such as Apple TV+, Max, Crunchyroll and MGM+ via Prime Video add-on subscriptions, as well as more than 500 free ad-supported (FAST) Channels. Prime members in the U.S. can share a variety of benefits, including Prime Video, by using Amazon Household. Prime Video is one benefit among many that provides savings, convenience, and entertainment as part of the Prime membership. All customers, regardless of whether they have a Prime membership or not, can rent or buy titles via the Prime Video Store and can enjoy even more content for free with ads. Customers can also go behind the scenes of their favorite movies and series with exclusive X-Ray access. For more info, visit www.amazon.com/primevideo.
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60th ACM Awards Electronic Press Kit
Show Clips HERE; Getty Images HERE; EPK/Video Footage HERE
19 March 2026 – South by Southwest® (SXSW®), the world’s leading festival celebrating the convergence of creativity, culture and technology, today reveals the first musical acts set to perform at SXSW London 2026, as the festival returns to transform East London into a vibrant week-long cultural discovery.
Taking place 1–6 June, the SXSW London Music Festival will once again bring together artists from across the globe, presenting emerging voices and underground scenes alongside established acts including Tiwa Savage, ODUMODUBLVCK, Rachel Chinouriri and Circa Waves.
Spanning venues, clubs and cultural spaces across Shoreditch, the programme reflects the diversity of sound and community that defines the UK music landscape, while connecting it to global talent and audiences. Following the success of its inaugural year, SXSW London returns bigger and bolder, cementing its place as a unique destination where discovery sits side-by-side with globally recognised artists and special guest performances.
Adem Holness, Head of Music at SXSW London, says: “At a moment when technology can generate endless music, what really shapes the future are the communities and scenes where artists push culture forward in their own contexts. SXSW London brings those global scenes together in one place. From artists like Sega Bodega reimagining live electronic performance, to bands like Shame building careers on their own terms, and artists like ODUMODUBLVCK bypassing genre and fusing his cultural influences into something entirely his own. The future of music isn’t uniform.”
SXSW London is about championing emerging and cutting-edge artists from underground scenes, next to established acts. Bringing those worlds together across East London creates a space where discovery, community and globally recognised talent can exist side by side.
Music wristbands for SXSW London Music Festival have just gone on sale and available HERE with prices starting from £25 for a one-day wristband, or £79 for the full duration of the festival.
Programming a line-up of more than 200 artists, the festival has also confirmed 37 co-curators to shape the program, uniting breakthrough talent, global voices, and bold sonic perspectives has also been revealed and includes: Afro Folk Rising, @bbcasiannetwork, @bbcintroducing, Becca D's Deadly, Biteback, @thebritishmusicembasy,@clashmagazine, Classical Unlocked, @crackmagazine, DJ Ace's Everything R&B, End of The Trail, FOCUS Wales,@generatorhq, GMIA x Premier Gospel, @hackneyempire, @hospitalrecords, @huckmagazine, Island Wave x ReggaeRecipe Live!, Jawani 4Eva, Latino Life, @mahogany, New Gen Artistry, @notion, @oneofftraks, Parlay Records x A Class, @pitchscotland, @reprezentradio, @royalcollegeofart, Art Scream Records, @scr_radio, Soul Surge, Sound Villa, @soundsqueerhq, @thebritschool, @rmaofficialuk, @tldrecs
The festival is also collaborating with industry professionals who bring deep cultural expertise and a global perspective of the underground music scene, to curate and judge this year’s music program. Made up of nearly 100 music heads with rich experience in grassroots programming, each plays a critical role in selecting the breakthrough artists who will take to the SXSW London stage in June, with representatives from Tileyard, Universal Music, Koko, Village Underground, Dreamland, and more. Full list 2026 Music Jurors
FOR ALL PRESS ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT
About SXSW London 2026
Powered by the dynamism and diversity of Shoreditch, SXSW London has become the preeminent global platform for the convergence of business, technology and creativity.
Stretched across the streets of East London, the festival is unapologetically progressive and provocative. Contemporary life moves faster and faster. SXSW London fearlessly embraces the growing landscape at the intersection of technology and culture to connect speakers, delegates and performances beyond any single industry. The SXSW London community seeks provocative debates that resonate in a global city, known for its openness to opposing voices. In a time of uncertainty, SXSW London offers innovators and freethinkers practical optimism and a unique lens with which to navigate real world problems with clarity. Join us for a unique week of insights, networking and discovery across film, music, the visual arts, business and tech. Discover the future intelligence that upends established ideas and leave with frontier thinking for a new competitive edge.
About The Special Guests
TIWA SAVAGE is a huge force in Africa’s music and entertainment industry, conquering the charts in her home country of Nigeria and becoming one of the most recognisable faces in the Afrobeats scene. 2018 was the most successful and strongest year for African star Tiwa Savage to date. The singer, songwriter, philanthropist and fashion icon was crowned Best African Act by the MTV European Music Awards and made history as the first female to win the accolade. In the same year also became the first African female to sell out London’s IndigO2 and she was handpicked by Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin to perform alongside Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and Jay Z live at the Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg to an 70,000 strong audience and millions across the globe.
ODUMODUBLVCK is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter and is a leading voice in Drill music. He coined Okporoko Rhythms, blending Grime, Afrobeat, and R&B. Since his debut single in 2017, he's championed his story, determined to redefine African music. ODUMODUBLVCK is a key figure in Nigeria's music scene, reaping the rewards of years of dedication.
EARL SWEATSHIRT is an American rapper and music producer. American rapper and producer known for his intricate lyricism, abstract production, and early association with the Odd Future collective. He has evolved from a teenage "hip-hop prodigy" into one of the most influential voices in the alternative and underground rap
INFINITY SONG, American soft rock siblings band Infinity Song is a Soft Rock band based in New York City comprised of 4 siblings, Abraham, Angel, Israel, and Momo Boyd. With a blend of tight vocal harmonies, dreamy lyricism and sublime guitar riffs, the band creates a transcendent experience for the audience on every stage and in their recorded music.
AMARIA BB Hackney-based, Jamaican-Guyanese singer-songwriter. She has been writing songs since she was a teenager. She started posting her music online in 2020 and has since gained a strong following for her unique sound. Her music is a blend of R&B, pop, and soul, with lyrics that draw from personal experiences.
RACHEL CHINOURIRI is a London-born, Zimbabwean-British singer-songwriter blending indie, alt-pop and soulful storytelling. Rising from early SoundCloud demos to breakout track 'So My Darling', she’s become one of the UK’s most exciting new voices. Her acclaimed debut album 'What a Devastating Turn of Events' landed in the Top 20 of the UK Official Charts and led to Rachel securing her first two BRIT Award nominations (Artist Of The Year, Best New Artist). Her most recent release 'Little House' features tracks like 'Can we talk about Isaac?', along with 'What A Life' and the title track. Rachel has earned support from artists like PinkPantheress, Adele, Lewis Capaldi, Sam Fender and opened for Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet tour. She will soon be joining Florence + The Machine on tour in 2026.
SEGA BODEGA was born in Ireland, raised in Glasgow and now based in London, producer, performer and label head Sega Bodega - AKA Salvador Navarrete - has built a reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative and precocious creative minds. His impact spans music, fashion and film, soundtracking some of the most important cultural moments in recent years, as well as building a catalogue of solo releases that traverse genre, style and composition. Bodega has been a crucial hand in countless projects over the past decade, from the development of artists under his NUXXE label, to production for the likes of Caroline Polachek, Oklou, Shygirl + more.
SHAME is a south London based post punk band. They consist of vocalist Charlie Steen, guitarists Eddie Green and Sean Coyle-Smith, bassist Josh Finerty, and drummer Charlie Forbes. Their early reputation was built on intense, raw live shows and confrontational lyrics, often exploring personal & social angst. They released their debut album Songs of Praise in January 2018, followed by Drunk Tank Pink in 2021, Food for Worms in 2023, and their most recent album Cutthroat in September 2025. Over the years they’ve been praised for combining sharp social commentary with energy, wit and a willingness to push sonically while retaining a punk-edge.
CIRCA WAVES is an Indie Rock Band known for their nervy, melodic indie rock. Circa Waves was formed in Liverpool in May 2013 by Kieran Shudall. The band first gained a buzz and earned favourable comparisons to the Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and the Vaccines before they hit the Top Ten with their debut, 2015’s Young Chasers. Buoyed by singles like ‘T-Shirt Weather’ and ‘Stuck in My Teeth’, the album reached the Top Ten of the U.K. albums chart and paved the way for a series of well-attended live shows, including a sold-out date at London’s O2 .
FRASER T SMITH is a multi-award-winning producer, songwriter and musician. He is one of the most in-demand creators in contemporary music today. He has co-written, mixed and produced 7 Number One singles in the UK. In addition to 2 Billboard Number One singles in the US, and contributed to 18 Number One albums. He has spent most of his career producing and songwriting for some of the biggest artists in the world. Some include Adele, Stormzy, Sam Smith, Florence and the Machine, Drake, Gorillaz, Kano, Dave and more.
PETE TONG has for generations of electronic music fans around the world, been the definitive voice of the scene for decades. But don’t ever think of Pete Tong as part of the establishment. In fact, throughout his varied and astonishing career, he’s been a catalyst, a genuine agent for change. And it’s all based around a simple yet relentless personal mission: to find great music and talent, and to share it with as many people as possible.
Take the Ibiza Classics project, the globally touring, live orchestral extravaganza that’s seen Tong and collaborators Jules Buckley taking electronic music to another dimension. Initially conceived as a one-off for the Proms classical music festival in 2015, translating some of the most loved dance music anthems for an orchestra to celebrate 20 years of Radio One in Ibiza, the way that Classics caught the imagination shocked even Pete: “I went to Manchester to go on breakfast TV to launch it. And by the time I came back on the train to London, we'd sold 18,000 tickets.” The original core of the idea was to reach those ravers for whom going out to clubs all night was no longer a realistic option. “Life catches up,” says Pete. “But it doesn't mean you fall out of love with the music. Those songs; ‘Promised Land’, or ‘Your Love’, ‘Cafe Del Mar’: to some people they're just as important as the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. If you were there on the dance floor at, say, Space in Ibiza, they’re in your soul for the rest of your life.”
The Golden Globes® announced that acclaimed Golden Globe®, Grammy®, and Emmy®-nominated comedian, writer, and actress Nikki Glaser will return to host the 84th Annual Golden Globes, the first major award show of the season, airing live on Sunday, January 10, 2027 on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S.*
Following her widely-praised turn as host in 2025 and 2026, Glaser, who made history as the first woman to host the Golden Globes solo, is set to bring her sharp wit, fearless humor, and unmistakable voice back to entertainment’s most celebrated night for a third year. Known for her bold comedic style, quick improvisation, and signature roasts, Glaser has consistently captivated audiences with her daring opening monologues. Her most recent monologue garnered nearly 14M+ views in the first 36 hours across Golden Globes social media platforms alone, setting the tone for an unforgettable and celebratory evening honoring the best in film, television, and podcasts.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nikki back to the Golden Globes stage in 2027,” said Helen Hoehne, President, Golden Globes. “Her comedic precision, authenticity, and ability to command the room is unmatched, and we can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve for next year's show.”
Glaser added, “I’m thrilled to host the Golden Globes for a third time, not only because it’s the greatest gig I’ve ever had, but because my sister has three kids and now we will be equal in the eyes of my parents and the Lord.”
Glaser has become one of the most prominent voices in comedy. Following a career-defining 2024 when she was named “Comedian of the Year” by The New York Times, Glaser was included on the TIME100: The Most Influential People of 2025 list and continued her momentum with the record-breaking HBO special “Someday You’ll Die,” which earned Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations and a WGA win. She recently made her hosting debut on “Saturday Night Live” and continues to tour internationally. With a slate of highly-anticipated projects on the horizon, Glaser will star alongside Kim Kardashian in Eva Longoria’s Netflix comedy The Fifth Wheel and will co-write, produce and star in an original comedy inspired by the classic game MASH for Paramount Pictures. Additionally, she will star in, co-write and produce a new romantic comedy for Universal Pictures with Judd Apatow producing. Glaser will next premiere her new Hulu stand-up special “Good Girl” on April 24, 2026.
The Golden Globes, “Hollywood’s Party of the Year®,” is the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television, and podcasting. Dick Clark Productions will plan, host and produce the annual Golden Globes, which has been viewed in more than 185 countries and territories worldwide.
The “83rd Annual Golden Globes,” “ET: Live on the Golden Globes Red Carpet,” and new primetime special “Golden Eve” reached a combined 21.77 Million viewers on CBS and Paramount+, according to Nielsen, and 27.07 Million international viewers across 169 territories.
*Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
About Golden Globes®
As a premier entertainment awards show since 1944, the annual Golden Globes has honored achievements in both television and film. Over the last three decades, the Golden Globes has enabled donations of more than $55 million to entertainment-related charities including scholarship programs, film restoration projects and humanitarian efforts. This funding has also supported diverse programs in partnership with advocacy groups aimed at promoting greater access in Hollywood for underserved communities. Dick Clark Productions is the owner and producer of the Golden Globes. For more information on the Golden Globes, please visit GoldenGlobes.com and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and TikTok.
About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‐generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct‐to‐Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most‐watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.
About Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The 52nd American Music Awards Set to Air Live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, on CBS and Paramount+
Nominations for the World’s Largest Fan-Voted Award Show Will be Announced on April 14, 2026
[EDITOR’S NOTE]: Media assets available here
Los Angeles, CA — March 10, 2026 — Today, CBS and Dick Clark Productions (DCP), the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming, announced the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs) will air live on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The star-studded must-see event will air coast-to-coast at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on CBS and stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
As one of music’s most anticipated nights of the year, the 2026 AMAs will honor the most influential artists and songs of today, alongside unforgettable performances and special moments, in a multi-genre, cross-generational celebration of music.
Nominations for the 52nd American Music Awards will be announced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
Fan voting powers the AMAs, with voting officially opening on Tuesday, April 14 and closing on Friday, May 8.
Additional details, including performers, presenters, special honorees, and ticket on-sale for the 52nd AMAs, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Last year’s top-rated 51st American Music Awards reached over 10 million unique viewers across its CBS and Paramount+ premiere on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, and encores on MTV, CMT, and BET. The CBS broadcast marked the show’s largest audience since 2019 with a +38% increase over its last live airing in 2022 on ABC.
Airing for the first time on Memorial Day, the 2025 AMAs kicked off summer with host Jennifer Lopez, who returned to host for the first time in 10 years and opened the show in spectacular fashion, delivering a non-stop, breathtaking medley of 23 of the year’s biggest hits. Performances included ICON Award recipient Janet Jackson; Alex Warren, Becky G and Manuel Turizo, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, Reneé Rapp, and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Rod Stewart.
About the American Music Awards:
- Celebrating the year’s most iconic music, the American Music Awards is the world’s largest fan-voted award show, honoring today’s most influential artists and their passionate fanbases.
- Created by legendary producer and visionary Dick Clark and first awarded in 1974, the American Music Awards is known for delivering half a century worth of iconic performances and enduring moments that have defined and shaped pop culture, as well as a history of introducing audiences to breakthrough artists.
- The American Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions.
For the latest news, exclusive content, and updates, follow the AMAs:
Website: TheAMAs.com
X: @AMAs
Instagram: @AMAs
TikTok: @AMAs
Facebook: @AMAs
Threads: @AMAs
YouTube: @TheAMAs
Hashtag: #AMAs
About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next‐generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct‐to‐Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most‐watched broadcast network, CBS News, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information please visit www.paramount.com.
About Dick Clark Productions
Dick Clark Productions (DCP) is the world’s largest owner and producer of televised live event entertainment programming including “The Golden Globes,” the largest awards show in the world to celebrate the best of film, television and podcasting, “American Music Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” the No. 1 entertainment special in America, “Golden Eve,” “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Rising Stars of Country Music,” Emmy®-winning series “So You Think You Can Dance,” and “American Bandstand,” the iconic and groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that defined a generation. Dick Clark Productions also possesses one of the world’s most extensive and unique entertainment archive libraries with more than 60 years of award-winning shows, historic specials, performances, and legendary programming. Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation. For more information, please visit DickClark.com
*Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
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[MEDIA APPLICATION] For more about press opportunities leading up to the show and on-site in Las Vegas, please fill out the Press Credential Application at your earliest convenience.
Credo Holdings Co., Ltd.,a leading hospitality company headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, has secured the operational rights for “Billboard Live” in Taipei in a licensing agreement with Penske Media Corporation. The inaugural Billboard Live Taipei is scheduled to open in Fall 2025 and will be located on the 7th floor of the “ATT 4 FUN” building in the bustling Xinyi District, Taipei.
Billboard Live is renowned for hosting live performances by internationally acclaimed artists. Originated by Hanshin Contents Link Corp, the master licensee of 'Billboard' in Japan, Billboard Live currently has locations in Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama, with alternate formats in Shanghai and Nanjing. Artists who have performed at Billboard Live in Japan include Steely Dan, Babyface, David Foster,Paul Stanley, Chaka Khan, Kool & the Gang, and The Beach Boys. Like its Japanese counterparts, Billboard Live Taipei will feature performances by top artists from Japan, Korea, the United States, Europe and Taiwan. The venue aims to promote musical exchanges between Taiwanese and international artists, serving as a bridge for Taiwanese talent to step onto the global stage. This effort aligns with Billboard’s mission of advancing the international presence of music cultures worldwide.
Billboard Live Taipei will introduce Taiwan to an unparalleled experience of live music combined with fine dining. Equipped with state-of-the-art audio systems, the 300-seat venue will provide an intimate setting where audiences can enjoy world-class performances up close. The restaurant will complement this experience with gourmet offerings. Billboard Live Taipei will create new opportunities for local artists to showcase their talent and contribute to the evolution ofTaiwan’s dynamic music landscape.
Click here for more details on the new club.
About Billboard Live
Billboard Live is an international network of upscale music venues that delivers an extraordinary live music experience by showcasing performances from premier artists across various genres. These venues are consciously designed to provide both intimacy and a top-quality sonic experience, catering to true music fans. At Billboard Live, viewers enjoy shows in a unique format that bridges the gap between the artist and the audience. All locations feature state-of-the-art sound systems and stage lighting, ensuring an immersive viewing experience that captivates attendees in every seat. Billboard Live venues attract a variety of acts, ranging from budding local talents to international superstars. Each venue's bill is a careful curation that reflects Billboard’s storied history in the music industry, offering spectators not only a night of entertainment but also an intimate encounter with music history.
January 9, 2025, Tblisi, Georgia: The Silk Road Group (“SRG”) and Rolling Stone join forces to launch The Rolling Stone Rooftop Club, the first of its kind club and event venue under the legendary Rolling Stone trademark. The new venue is set to open on the rooftop of the Telegraph Hotel in the heart of the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. The Telegraph Hotel, which is part of the Leading Hotels of the World is owned, developed and managed by Silk Hospitality, an SRG subsidiary. The Telegraph Hotel with the Rolling Stone Rooftop Club will cater to local, regional and global clientele looking for a unique, immersive lifestyle experience. The hotel is expected to open its doors in early spring 2025.
SRG in cooperation with a Shanghai based architectural firm Neri & Hu, succeeded in transforming the historic Telegraph building into a luxury hotel. The Telegraph Hotel is designed for the 21st century traveler who demands experiences that go beyond luxurious rooms and top-quality service. Rolling Stone’s presence at the Telegraph Hotel guarantees a captivating experience, with the Rooftop Club offering an immersive journey through the history of music, showcasing legendary musicians from the late 20th century to today’s megastars.
Additionally, Silk Hospitality and Rolling Stone plan to expand their partnership for the hotel and residence lifestyle experience with Silk Hospitality and Silk Development’s mega project in the seaside town of Batumi on the Black Seacoast of Georgia where Silk in partnership with the legendary Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma is developing a spectacular Silk Tower project at the Batumi Riviera site with a multi layered concept that includes two five star hotels, a marina and beaches, a concert hall, residential buildings, shopping and entertainment spaces along with a municipal park, which SRG is donating to the city of Batumi.
January 3, 2025 - New York, NY: In a distinguished ceremony held this morning in New York City, Gerry Byrne, PMC’s Vice Chairman and veteran Marine Officer, was honored with the U.S. Navy’s top civilian accolade, the Distinguished Public Service Award. Presented by Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy, the award recognized Mr. Byrne’s outstanding service of substantial and long-term benefit to the Department of the Navy.
First established in 1951, the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award stands as the highest tribute that the Secretary of the Navy can bestow upon a civilian not employed by the Department of the Navy. This prestigious award highlights Mr.Byrne’s lifelong commitment to supporting military and veteran communities through various and extensive initiatives and board memberships.
“I am honored to bestow the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award to MarineCorps Vietnam Veteran Mr. Gerry Byrne,” said Del Toro. “His unwavering support of our Nation’s veterans, paired with his belief in participation and his innovative initiatives and leadership, has greatly enhanced our Department of the Navy’s community engagement. His contributions to our military are incalculable.”
“Being recognized by the U.S. Navy is both an incredible honor and a humbling reminder of the importance of service,” said Byrne. “Supporting our military and veteran communities is something I consider both a duty and a privilege. To be acknowledged with this award is truly an appreciated bonus, reinforcing the deep value of giving back.”
A staunch advocate for active participation, Mr. Byrne is on the boards of numerous nonprofit organizations including The Intrepid Museum, The BobWoodruff Foundation, The Fisher House Foundation, The USO, City Meals on Wheels, The Gotham Film & Media Institute, The Fisher Center forAlzheimer’s Research, Friends of the NYC Vietnam Veterans Plaza, The CreativeCoalition, The Hamptons International Film Festival (Chairman – AdvisoryBoard), The John A. Reisenbach Foundation, and The Armory Foundation. He is also on the Advisory Board of the Fordham University Gabelli School and the Board of NYC’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice. In November 2012, Mr. Byrne founded Veterans Week NYC, launching a series of events dedicated to honoring and supporting veterans and their families. And in May 2017, he established Veterans on Campus NYC, a veteran’s support consortium across all NYC colleges and universities attended by veterans under the GI Bill.
A 1966 graduate of Fordham College, Mr. Byrne served as a Marine Officer in Vietnam in 1968/69 and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V.Additionally, Byrne was inducted into the Fordham University Military Hall of Fame in 2022.
About Penske Media Corporation
Penske Media Corporation (PMC) is a leading global media and information services company whose award-winning content attracts a passionate monthly audience of more than 350 million. Since 2004, PMC has been a pioneer in digital media and live events, reaching viewers on all screens across its ever-growing constellation of iconic brands, which includes Variety, RollingStone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Dick Clark Productions, WWD, SHEMedia, Robb Report, Deadline, Sportico, BGR, ARTnews, Fairchild Media, Vibe,IndieWire, Artforum, Gold Derby and Luminate, the premier data and analytics company. PMC’s journalists and content creators deliver daily the most comprehensive news and information in their industries and areas of coverage, unequaled in ambition, depth, and courage. In addition, PMC owns several of the most iconic and vital cultural events such as The Golden Globes, Country MusicAwards (ACMs), Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, SXSW,American Music Awards (AMAs), LA3C, Life is Beautiful, Latin Music Week, andATX Television Festival. Penske Media is headquartered in New York and Los Angeles with additional offices in 14 countries worldwide, for more information, please visit www.PMC.com.
The inaugural series highlights Billboard’s expanding international influence and celebrates top music talent from diverse markets worldwide
Find all covers on Billboard’s Global No. 1s Hub
Find all video interviews on Billboard’s Global No. 1s Playlist
Watch 'Global No. 1s’ rollout on Billboard News
Billboard’s groundbreaking Global No. 1s series has officially wrapped its inaugural rollout, featuring 12 distinct cover stories that spotlight the year’s chart-topping artists from around the world. This historic initiative reflects Billboard’s commitment to celebrating music’s global diversity and deepening its ties with audiences across cultures and languages.
The Global No. 1s series debuted one week ago with a focus on the vibrant music scenes in the U.K., Japan, China, and Brazil, kicking off with covers featuring Dua Lipa, Creepy Nuts, KUN, and Ana Castela. Over the past week, additional covers from Billboard Korea, Billboard Italia, Billboard Philippines, Billboard Español, Billboard Argentina, Billboard Canada, Billboard Georgia and Billboard Arabia brought attention to even more extraordinary talent shaping the global music industry, including IU, an icon of South Korean music and cinema; Geolier, Italy’s breakout hip-hop star; BINI, the Philippines’ group redefining girl power; Edgar Barrera, the award-winning Mexican songwriter and producer; Valentino Merlo & The La Planta, Argentina’s genre-defying sensations; Diljit Dosanjh, Canada’s celebrated Punjabi artist whose global appeal continues to grow; Giorgi Gigashvili, Georgia’s classical prodigy making waves on the world stage; and Abdul Majeed Abdullah, the legendary voice of Arabian music.
“It’s a thrill to showcase this incredibly diverse mix of chart-topping artists from around the world and an honor to get to tell their stories on our global platform,” said Hannah Karp, Billboard’s Editorial Director. “Our inaugural Global No. 1s series is a powerful demonstration of Billboard’s global reach, relevance, and impact, and we can’t wait to celebrate next year’s No. 1s as we launch our historic brand in more major music markets in 2025.”
As Billboard continues to expand its footprint internationally, the Global No. 1s series underscores the brand’s authority on popular music and its ability to connect artists and fans across boundaries. This global rollout of 12 covers represents the power of music to bridge cultures, amplify diverse voices, and inspire audiences everywhere.
Billboard’s inaugural Global No. 1s series includes:
Billboard U.K.: Dua Lipa
- Dua Lipa on her year of radical optimism: “There came a point in the year where I was thinking, ‘I’ve got to sit down and write some new dreams and new plans and other things I wanted to do. I feel like I ticked so many of my boxes this year. It’s amazing.”
- Read the full Dua Lipa story here; watch her video interview here.
Billboard Japan: Creepy Nuts
- R-Shitei, one half of the hip-hop duo, on the popularity of Creepy Nuts: “We never planned to make songs that would be listened to around the world. It’s really just about expressing what we want to get out and releasing pent-up [feelings] we’ve been holding in, basically.”
- Read the full Creepy Nuts story here; watch their video interview here.
Billboard China: KUN
- KUN on what he hopes to achieve with his music: “I aspire for more individuals globally to experience music that is authentically ours as Chinese. This has consistently been my ambition.”
- Read the full KUN story here; watch his video interview here.
Billboard Brasil: Ana Castela
- Ana Castela on her journey to stardom: “Doors just keep opening for me. I never thought my face would be on a shoebox. It doesn’t just help my career; it makes dreams come true that I never even imagined. It’s awesome.”
- Read the full Ana Castela story here; watch her video interview here.
Billboard Korea: IU
- IU on embracing international collaborations: “In the past, I received many amazing offers, but the idea of collaborating with artists who spoke different languages felt daunting. I turned down those opportunities then, but I don’t feel the same way anymore. Now, I’m much more open to the idea of working with global artists.”
- Read the full IU story here; watch her video interview here.
Billboard Italia: Geolier
- Geolier on redefining his music career: “I think I’ve done a lot, [and] I want to experience this as a game. Because with all the numbers and deadlines, sometimes it seems to have become a routine job. And I surely don’t want that.”
- Read the full Geolier story here; watch his video interview here.
Billboard Philippines: BINI
- BINI member Aiah on the responsibility they feel: “We’re not just doing this for ourselves, because there are also so many artists out there who believe in this for us, old ones and new ones alike. It’s so cool to see how much trust they’ve put into us, because what happens is not just our success, but it will also come up as everyone’s success.”
- Read the full BINI story here; watch their video interview here.
Billboard Español: Edgar Barrera
- Edgar Barrera on what his humble beginnings taught him: “I started from the bottom, being the one who went and brought everyone’s food, the one who served the coffee. But thanks to that I also learned never to look down on anyone’s work, much less the one who serves me coffee, because maybe tomorrow he could be the next producer of the year, or songwriter of the year, as it happened to me.”
- Read the full Edgar Barrera story here; watch his video interview here.
Billboard Argentina: Valentino Merlo & The La Planta
- The La Planta on recording “Hoy” with Merlo: “Honestly, we felt it when we recorded it, there was something extra, an extra energy with the song. But personally, I didn’t expect to be five months at No. 1 on Billboard Argentina. It was completely surprising.”
- Read the full Valentino Merlo & The La Planta story here; watch their video interview here.
Billboard Canada: Diljit Dosanjh
- Diljit on playing his first concert outside of India in 2005: “When I arrived in Canada, that’s when I first saw the stadiums. That’s when I decided that I will perform in a stadium one day. I just knew it.”
- Read the full Diljit Dosanjh story here; watch his video interview here.
Billboard Georgia: Giorgi Gigashvili
- Giorgi on breaking musical boundaries: “The fact that I, as a classical music performer and pianist, am involved in creative, modern experimental projects makes it even more interesting to Western audiences. The global audience today is more curious and interested in experimental approaches.”
- Read the full Giorgi Gigashvili story here; watch his video interview here.
Billboard Arabia: Abdul Majeed Abdullah
- Known as “The Prince of Tarab,” Abdullah was honored with multiple awards this year at the inaugural Billboard Arabia Music Awards, including the prestigious lifetime achievement award which recognized his profound and lasting impact on the Arab music world and on Khaleeji music in particular.
- Read the full Abdul story here; watch him accept his lifetime achievement award here.
Find all the covers and cover stories on Billboard.com or on Billboard’s Global No. 1s series hub.
About Billboard:
Billboard is the ultimate barometer of success in music. Through its iconic charts, breaking news, thought leadership, multi-platform storytelling and world class events, Billboard tracks the world’s top musicians and the business that powers them. Since its origin in 1894, music leaders and fans across the world look to Billboard as the most trusted source for music information, spanning 15 countries and published in 10 languages. The prestigious Billboard Music Awards are the only premium awards ceremony that recognize musicians for their undeniable achievements on the Billboard charts, using pure data to determine the winners, rather than relying on opaque committees or undisclosed voters to select the honorees giving fans maximum impact at each year's ceremony, as Billboard's chart data measures fans' engagement with their favorite music. Billboard’s other premium experiences range from the Billboard Power 100 to Billboard Women in Music, Billboard Latin Music Week, and Billboard Live, which connects the most impactful artists and industry leaders with fans from all cultures and corners of the globe.
Los Angeles, CA — December 13, 2024 — Today, Penske Media Corporation (PMC) announced that Billboard, IndieWire, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety received a total of 122 awards at the 17th Annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards, presented by the Los Angeles Press Club on December 1. These prestigious honors highlighted the exceptional work of PMC’s journalists, photographers, and media teams, further solidifying the company's leadership in entertainment media.
PMC outlets were recognized across the board for their outstanding contributions in a variety of categories, including Print Journalist of the Year, Online Journalist of the Year as well as investigative reporting, photography, business journalism, critical reviews and more. The awards underscore the high level of talent and creativity within the PMC family and their continued impact on the world of arts and entertainment journalism.
Penske Media Penske Media Corporation Takes Honors in the Following Key Categories:
PRINT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
- Chris Willman, Variety
- 2nd: Tatiana Siegel, Variety
- 3rd: Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter
ONLINE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR — Tied to an Organization
- Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter
- 2nd: Clayton Davis, Variety
ONLINE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR — Independent
- 3rd: A.D. Amorosi, Variety, Flood, SPIN
PHOTOJOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
- 2nd: Dan Doperalski, Variety
CRITIC — ANY MEDIA PLATFORM (BROADCAST, PRINT, OR ONLINE)
Film Critic — Under 1,000 words
- Chris Willman, Variety
- 2nd: Siddhant Adlakha, JoySauce/IndieWire/Variety
Film Critic — Over 1,000 words
- David Ehrlich, IndieWire
- 2nd: Owen Gleiberman, Variety
TV Critic
- 2nd: Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter
Music Critic
- 3rd: Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter
ANY MEDIA PLATFORM (BROADCAST, PRINT, OR ONLINE)
Celebrity Investigative, Any Media
- Seija Rankin, Jason Rovou, Stephanie Fischette, Nekesa Mumbi Moody, Maer Roshan, The Hollywood Reporter, “Will Ferrell on Navigating His Best Friend's Transition in ‘Will & Harper’”
- 2nd: Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, “Get Me Bryan Freedman!”
- 3rd: Tatiana Siegel, Variety, “Crisis at Marvel: Jonathan Majors Back-Up Plans, ‘The Marvels’ Reshoots, Reviving Original Avengers and More Issues Revealed”
Headline, Any Media
- 3rd: Tom Bruneggemann, IndieWire, “They Don’t Climax in IMAX — or, Why Films with Sexy Sizzle Are Rare Today”
BOOK
Non-Fiction Book
- 3rd: Ramin Setoodeh, HarperCollins Publishers, “Apprentice in Wonderland: How Donald Trump and Mark Burnett Took America Through the Looking Glass”
PHOTOGRAPHY/ART (PRINT OR ONLINE)
News Photo
- Michael Buckner, Haley Kluge, Jennifer Dorn, Variety, “SAG Fran Strike Cover”
- 3rd: Roger Kisby, Rolling Stone, “F1 Opener”
Portrait Photo, TV/Film
- Dan Doperalski, Jennifer Dorn, Haley Kluge, Variety, “David Oyelowo Portrait”
- 3rd: Collier Schorr, Rolling Stone, “Kristen Stewart Uncensored: ‘I Want to Do the Gayest Thing You’ve Ever Seen in Your Life’”
Portrait Photo, Music/Arts
- 3rd: Ash Barhamand, Ava Selbach, Peter B. Cury and Julia & Vincent, The Hollywood Reporter, “Renee Rapp”
Feature Photo
- 2nd: Ash Barhamand, Ava Selbach, Peter B. Cury and Dan Winters, The Hollywood Reporter, “Nathan Fielder + Emma Stone”
- 3rd: Jenny Sargent, Naomy Pedroza and Joelle Grace Taylor, Billboard, “Lainey Wilson”
Action Photo
- Chris Willman, Variety, “Brandi Carlile concert photo/The Best Concerts of 2023”
Photo Essay
- Ash Barhamand, Ava Selbach, Naomy Pedroza, Peter B. Cury, Munachi Osegbu, The Hollywood Reporter, “Hollywood’s Top Stylists”
- 2nd: Alexi Lubomirski, Jennifer Dorn and Haley Kluge, Variety, “Actors on Actors (Oscars)”
Illustration
- 2nd: Neil Jamieson, Haley Kluge and Jennifer Dorn, Variety, “Star Trek Illustrations”
Page Layout
- 2nd: Haley Kluge, Ted Keller, Francesco Muzzi and Jennifer Dorn, Variety, “AI Splash”
Cover Art
- Joe Hutchinson, Rolling Stone, “May 2024 Billie Eilish cover”
- 2nd: Haley Kluge, Jennifer Dorn and Jonny Marlow, Variety, “Anya Taylor Joy Cover”
- 3rd: Peter B. Cury and Zuzanna Rogatty, The Hollywood Reporter, “The Oscar Issue”
PRINT/ONLINE
Business, Film, Print/Online
- 2nd: Rebecca Rubin, Variety, “‘We’re Still Here’: How AMC Theatres Is Struggling With $4.5 Billion in Debt and Surviving Thanks to Taylor Swift, Viral Popcorn Buckets and More”
- 3rd: Gene Maddaus, Variety, “Mickey Mouse, Long a Symbol in Copyright Wars, to Enter Public Domain: ‘It’s Finally Happening’”
Business, TV/Streaming, Print/Online
- Tatiana Siegel, Variety, “Inside the Battle for CNN: Jeff Zucker, David Zaslav, Chris Licht and 18 Months of Crazy Backstabbing”
- 2nd: Jennifer Maas, Variety, “Peak TV Has Peaked: From Exhausted Talent to Massive Losses, the Writers Strike Magnifies an Industry in Freefall”
Business, Music related, Print/Online
- 3rd: Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, “Sphere digital feature”
Business, Tech/Design/Arts related, Print/Online
- 2nd: Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, “A Pellicano Target’s Second Act”
Entertainment Industry/Arts Investigative, Print/Online
- Tatiana Siegel, Variety, “Crisis at Marvel: Jonathan Majors Back-Up Plans, ‘The Marvels’ Reshoots, Reviving Original Avengers and More Issues Revealed”
Obituary/In Appreciation, Film Personalities, Print/Online
- Owen Gleiberman, Variety, “Remembering Piper Laurie in ‘Carrie’ and ‘The Hustler’: A Special Combination of Vulnerability and Power”
Obituary/In Appreciation, TV Personalities, Print/Online
- 2nd: Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, “Critic’s Appreciation: Matthew Perry Masterfully Walked the Line Between Mirth and Melancholy”
Obituary/In Appreciation, Music and Other Arts Personalities, Print/Online
- 3rd: Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, “Tony Bennett Gave an Iconic 'Goodfellas' Moment Its Charge — but He Didn't Like Being Associated with It”
PRINT (NEWSPAPERS OR MAGAZINES)
General News, Print
- 3rd: Brent Lang, Tatiana Siegel and Matt Donnelly, Variety, “Showstopper! Strikes Plunge Hollywood Into Chaos With Pricey Movie Delays, Pay Battles and AI Anxiety”
CELEBRITY NEWS, PRINT
Diversity in the TV/Film Industry, Print
- Brent Lang, Variety, “Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on Her Revealing Diane von Furstenberg Documentary and Directing a ‘Star Wars’ Movie”
- 3rd: Nekesa Mumbi Moody, The Hollywood Reporter, “Oprah and ‘The Color Purple’ Stars on the New Musical Remake: ‘It’s Bright. It’s Vibrant. It’s Us’”
Diversity in the Music/Performing Arts/Arts Industry, Print
- 2nd: Katie Bain, Billboard, “Finding Harmony”
- 3rd: Thania Garcia, Variety, “Meet the Women Managing Música Mexicana’s Breakout Stars, From Xavi to Yahritza Y Su Esencia and More”
Personality Profile, Film Industry — Under 2,500 Words, Print
- 2nd: Kate Aurthur, Variety, “Carey Mulligan Never Felt Like a ‘Proper Actor.’ Then Came ‘Maestro’: ‘I’m Going to Absolutely Do It All’”
Personality Profile, TV/Streaming Industry — Under 2,500 Words, Print
- 2nd: Emily Longeretta, Variety, “‘It Was Never My Intention to Be a Heartthrob’: Josh Hartnett on Finding His Focus, Shedding the Darkness of ‘Black Mirror’ and That ‘Bats--- Crazy’ ‘Trap’ Script”
Personality Profile, Music and Other Arts — Under 2,500 Words, Print
- 2nd: Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, “Linda Yaccarino’s Very Unmerry X Mess”
Personality Profile, Film Industry — Over 2,500 Words, Print
- Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, “Kristen Stewart Uncensored: ‘I Want to Do the Gayest Thing You’ve Ever Seen in Your Life’”
Personality Profile, TV/Streaming Industry — Over 2,500 Words, Print
- Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, “Cheryl Hines … as First Lady? The ‘Curb’ Star on Life After Larry and Marriage to RFK Jr.”
- 3rd: Kate Aurthur, Variety, “Long Live Shiv Roy: Sarah Snook Tells All on That ‘Succession’ Ending, Her Pregnancy and Crying Through the Finale”
Personality Profile, Music and Other Arts — Over 2,500 Words, Print
- 2nd: Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, “Billie Eilish Would Like to Reintroduce Herself”
- 3rd: Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, “Teezo Touchdown: Birth of a Rock Star”
Film Industry Feature — Under 1,000 Words, Print
- Katcy Stephan, Variety, “‘MoviePass, MovieCrash’: Founder Stacy Spikes on Mitch Lowe, Racial Bias and Where the Company Stands Today”
- 2nd: Beatrice Verhoeven and Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, “As the Actors Strike Ends, Many Awards Contenders and Campaigners Are Scrambling to Make Up for Lost Time”
TV Industry Feature — Under 1,000 Words, Print
- Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, “Dan Harmon Is Ready to Talk About All of It (Including the Justin Roiland Drama)”
- 3rd: Katcy Stephan, Variety, “‘Futurama:’ John DiMaggio on His Salary Battle and Return as Bender”
Music/Performing Arts Industry Feature — Under 1,000 Words, Print
- Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, “Dolly Parton on Turning Down the Super Bowl and Her New Rock Album: ‘I Don’t Want It to Be Half-Ass Country’”
- 2nd: Jon Burlingame, Variety, “‘Law & Order’ Composer Mike Post Creates New Bluegrass and Blues Album”
Film Industry Feature — Over 1,000 Words, Print
- Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, “‘Schindler’s List’: An Oral History of a Masterpiece”
- 2nd: Jon Burlingame, Variety, “‘Maestro’: How Bradley Cooper Turned Bernstein’s Classical Music into a Film Score”
- 3rd: Adam B. Vary, Variety, “‘The Blair Witch Project’ Actors Call Out ‘Reprehensible Behavior’ After Missing Out on Profits for Decades: ‘Don’t Do What We Did’ (EXCLUSIVE)”
TV Industry Feature — Over 1,000 Words, Print
- 2nd: Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, “Anderson Cooper on His Complicated Vanderbilt Legacy and CNN After Chris Licht”
Visual Arts/Architecture Feature — Over 1,000 Words, Print
- 3rd: Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, “Museums Are Reckoning With Looted Art. Now It’s LACMA’s Turn”
Celebrity Feature, Print
- Rebecca Keegan, Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, “Fran Drescher’s Role of a Lifetime”
Columnist, Print
- 3rd: Andre Gee, Rolling Stone
Commentary Analysis/Trend, Film, Print
- 2nd: Brent Lang, Variety, “How Steven Spielberg Dominated Culture and the 1994 Oscars With ‘Jurassic Park’ and ‘Schindler’s List’”
- 3rd: Lacey Rose and Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, “Why Hollywood Is in the Throes of an IP Frenzy”
Commentary Analysis/Trend, TV, Print
- 2nd: Michael Schneider, Variety, “Repeats, Reality and 'Yellowstone': How Network TV Is Marketing Fall Lineups Without Many Scripted Favorites”
- 3rd: Clayton Davis, Variety, “‘Love on the Spectrum’ Is Showing Me Examples of How My Autistic Son Could Be as an Adult — and It’s Amazing”
Commentary Analysis/Trend, Music, Print
- Chris Willman, Variety, “Jason Aldean Already Had the Most Contemptible Country Song of the Decade. The Video Is Worse”
- 3rd: Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, “Breaking Through Rock Journalism’s Boys’ Club”
Entertainment Publication, Print
- 2nd: Billboard, Rebecca Milzoff, “Billboard: The Sports Issue”
TV/VIDEO/FILM
Personality Profile, Film Personalities, TV
- 2nd: Lesley Corral, Francesca Manto, Dominoe Ibarra and Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, “Glen Powell Shares His Hollywood Firsts: From Singing 'Unwritten' To 'Spy Kids' Set, Twisters & More”
RADIO/PODCASTS
Anchor/Host, Radio/Podcast
- 2nd: Michael Schneider, Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Jenelle Riley and Emily Longeretta, Variety, “Variety's Award Circuit Podcast Hosts”
One-on-One Interview, Film Personalities, Radio/Podcast
- 2nd: Clayton Davis, Variety, “Selena Gomez on Her Cannes Win for Best Actress, ‘Only Murders’ and Potentially Becoming Most Emmy-Nominated Latina Producer”
One-on-One Interview, TV Personalities, Radio/Podcast
- 2nd: Michael Schneider, Variety, “Day Eating With Seth Meyers: The 'Late Night' Host Counts Down His Top 10 Pizza List”
One-on-One Interview, Other Arts Personalities, Radio/Podcast
- 3rd: Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, “Geddy Lee Tells All: 'My Effin' Life' — and Rush's Possible Future”
Best Arts or Entertainment Regular Podcast
- Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, “Rolling Stone Music Now”
- 3rd: Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, “Awards Chatter”
ONLINE (CONTENT EXCLUSIVE TO THE INTERNET)
Hard News, TV/Streaming Related, Online
- 2nd: Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, “Chaos, Comedy, and ‘Crying Rooms’: Inside Jimmy Fallon’s ‘Tonight Show’”
Hard News, Film Related, Online
- 2nd: Mia Galuppo and Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, “Netflix Enters Its Dan Lin Era”
- 3rd: Ellise Shafer and Alex Ritman, Variety, “Alan Menken, Sarah Sherman, Alex Winter and Larry Charles Join Jewish Creatives Supporting Jonathan Glazer’s Oscars Speech in Open Letter (EXCLUSIVE)”
Hard News, Music/Arts Related, Online
- David Browne, Nancy Dillon, Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, “‘They Wanted to Dance in Peace. And They Got Slaughtered’”
- 2nd: Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, “How Jason Aldean Cynically Built “Small Town” to Appeal to Trump Country”
Soft News, TV/Streaming Related, Online
- Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, “Bryan Lee O'Malley Wanted 'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off' to Surprise You”
- 2nd: Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, “Hulu’s ‘Under the Bridge’ Tells the Story of Reena Virk — and The Notorious B.I.G.”
- 3rd: Meredith Woerner, Variety, “The True Story Behind Truman Capote’s Ashes Being Auctioned Off on ‘Feud’”
Soft News, Film Related, Online
- 3rd: Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, “Animation at a Crossroads as Hope Mixes with Anxiety”
Soft News, Music/Arts Related, Online
- Jem Aswad, Variety, “Why David Bowie Killed Ziggy Stardust, 50 Years Ago Today”
Diversity in the TV/Streaming Industry, Online
- Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, “How The CW’s ‘Sight Unseen’ Built a Production For and Driven By Blind and Low Vision Creatives”
Diversity in the Film Industry, Online
- Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, “For Female Creatives, Hollywood Is Still Just as ‘Bleak’ as Some Fear, but It Doesn’t Have to Be”
- 2nd: Clayton Davis, Variety, “Black Women Executives Are Exiting Studio Leadership Posts and Hollywood’s Doing Nothing About It”
- 3rd: Sharareh Drury, Variety, “‘Dune 2’ Criticized for Lack of Middle Eastern and North African Inclusion and Influences: ‘A Missed Opportunity’”
Diversity in the Music/Performing Arts Industry, Online
- 3rd: Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, “A Neuro-Inclusive Take on ‘Spring Awakening’: ‘We Don’t Need to Break People Down’”
Personality Profile, Film Personalities, Online
- Kate Erbland, IndieWire, “Kirsten Dunst Is Our Most Reasonable Movie Star”
- 3rd: Clayton Davis, Variety, “Paul Giamatti on ‘Sideways’ Oscar Snub, the Secret to His ‘Holdovers’ Lazy Eye and How He’s Still ‘Figuring Out How to Act on Film’”
Personality Profile, Music Personalities, Online
- 3rd: Ellise Shafer, Variety, “Peter Doherty and Katia deVidas on Making Doc ‘Stranger in My Own Skin’ About the ‘Terror and Danger’ of Drug Addiction — and Falling in Love in the Process”
TV Feature, Online
- 2nd: J. Kim Murphy, Variety, “‘Winning Time’ Ends in Defeat With an Awkward, Surprise Series Finale”
Film Feature, Actor Related, Online
- 2nd: Katcy Stephan, Variety, “Tom Hardy on His Wild ‘Bikeriders’ Accent and Knowing ‘Furiosa’ Is ‘Special’ (Without Even Seeing It Yet)”
- 3rd: Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, “94-Year-Old June Squibb Does Her Own Stunts in ‘Thelma,’ a Sundance Spin on ‘Mission: Impossible’”
Film Feature, Filmmaker Related, Online
- 2nd: J. Kim Murphy, Variety, “‘Koyaanisqatsi’ Director Godfrey Reggio Unravels His New Odyssey ‘Once Within a Time’ Amid Humanity’s Accelerating Self-Destruction”
- 3rd: Todd Gilchrist, Variety, “Director Martin Brest Revisits the Triumphs of 'Beverly Hills Cop' and 'Midnight Run,' and Reflects On His Post-'Gigli' Hollywood Exile”
Film Feature, Production/History Related, Online
- David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, “Hollywood’s 20 Most Erotic Movies, Ranked”
- 3rd: Gary Baum and Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, “Unmasking the AMPTP: Hollywood Labor’s Opaque Nemesis”
Theater Feature, Online
- 2nd: Brent Lang, Variety, “How Broadway’s ‘Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club’ Pulls Off Its Audacious, Sensual 75-Minute Prologue”
Celebrity Feature, Online
- Pamela Chelin, Variety, “Martin Scorsese Hosts Robbie Robertson Tribute Concert, With Jackson Browne and Others Paying Musical Homage”
Columnist, Online
- 2nd: Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, “The Download, a column by Hollywood Reporter Senior Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu”
Commentary Analysis/Trend, Film, Online
- Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, “A New Wave of Films Experiments With How We See Climate Change”
- 2nd: Sharareh Drury, Variety, “‘Dune 2’ Criticized for Lack of Middle Eastern and North African Inclusion and Influences: ‘A Missed Opportunity’”
- 3rd: Carolyn Giardina, The Hollywood Reporter, “VFX Pros Expose The Hidden Costs of Selling a Movie as ‘Real’”
Commentary Analysis/Trend, TV, Online
- Clayton Davis, Variety, “‘Love on the Spectrum’ Is Showing Me Examples of How My Autistic Son Could Be as an Adult — and It’s Amazing”
- 2nd: Brian Steinberg, Variety, “TV Talkers From Pat McAfee to Rachel Maddow Gain New License to Blast Bosses On-Air”
Commentary Analysis/Trend, Other Arts, Online
- James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, “When a Ketamine Therapy Visit Goes Horribly Wrong”
Entertainment Website, Online
- The Hollywood Reporter Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, “THR.com”
- 3rd: Variety, Variety, “variety.com”
ENTERTAINMENT BLOG BY AN INDIVIDUAL NOT TIED TO AN ORGANIZATION
Entertainment Blog
- 2nd: Aaron Couch and Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, “Heat Vision”
SOCIAL MEDIA
Best Journalistic use of Social Media to Tell or Enhance a Story
- 2nd: Rachel Seo and Julia MacCary, Variety, “Variety Actors on Actors Season 20”
- 3rd: Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, “The Hollywood Reporter music articles told through Instagram Stories”
About Penske Media Corporation
Penske Media Corporation (PMC) is a leading global media and information services company whose award-winning content attracts a passionate monthly audience of more than 350 million. Since 2004, PMC has been a pioneer in digital media and live events, reaching viewers on all screens across its ever-growing constellation of iconic brands, which includes Variety, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Dick Clark Productions, WWD, SHE Media, Robb Report, Deadline, Sportico, BGR, ARTnews, Fairchild Media, Vibe, IndieWire, Artforum, Gold Derby and Luminate, the premier data and analytics company. PMC’s journalists and content creators deliver daily the most comprehensive news and information in their industries and areas of coverage, unequaled in ambition, depth, and courage. In addition, PMC owns several of the most iconic and vital cultural events such as The Golden Globes, Country Music Awards (ACMs), Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, SXSW, American Music Awards (AMAs), LA3C, Life is Beautiful, Latin Music Week, and ATX Television Festival. Penske Media is headquartered in New York and Los Angeles with additional offices in 14 countries worldwide, for more information, please visit www.PMC.com.
Penske Media Corporation (PMC), the leading global media, live events and data analytics company, recently released findings from their pop culture study, Power of Shared Cultural Connections. The study explores the powerful impact of shared cultural moments and immersive events on consumer engagement, revealing that these experiences resonate profoundly with audiences, foster lifelong memories and community bonds, and offer brands a unique opportunity to cultivate loyalty and engagement through these immersive events.
“At PMC, our research shows that brands have a unique opportunity to be a part of cultural moments by engaging in shared experiences which forge deep emotional connections and loyalty that traditional media channels cannot match,” said Dan Owen, EVP, GM, Strategic Solutions Group at PMC. “As a conduit for creating these collective experiences, PMC helps our partners tap into the power of pop culture and immersive events, embedding themselves in the memories that shape fandoms.”
Key takeaways from the “Power of Shared Cultural Connections” study include:
Major pop culture experiences are a pathway to lifelong memories and provide the thrill of unexpected connection. At a moment in time when much of the world is more isolated than ever, audiences want moments that fuel gratitude and bring us closer to ourselves and each other. 77% say major pop culture experiences are a source of lifelong memories, and 72% seek out pop culture events that offer immersion into the worlds of their favorite shows, movies and artists (86% among Gen Z respondents).
Shared cultural experiences are powerful community builders, particularly when they resonate deeply with the audience’s passions and interests. The more personal and human the stories surrounding the moment are, the more impactful it becomes. 63% seek out pop culture experiences that offer deeper connections to personal interests, and 56% of Gen Z respondents say that they seek out pop culture events that offer deeper community connections with like-minded fans.
Events are always in the plans. 92% plan to attend or wish to attend pop cultural events, including music, film, and art festivals, concerts, immersive experiences and exhibits, in the next year.
Award shows are a vital part of pop culture, connecting us with our favorite artists and acting as a unifying force that creates memorable historical moments. 87% of audiences identify as being“obsessed” or “casual” fans of major award shows. Award shows foster community, with 58% saying they talk to their friends and family about them.
Brands have an incredible power as the facilitators of shared cultural connection. Creating exclusive access that brings fans closer to those moments, and the artists they love most, yields extreme loyalty. 63% consider themselves a super fan of a musician (80% of Gen Z) with 43% saying that if their favorite music artist wears/endorses something, it influences their purchase decision. Additionally, 52% would feel more loyal to a brand if it provided access to live-streamed cultural events.
The findings of PMC’s Power of Shared Cultural Connections study demonstrate that shared cultural moments profoundly influence consumer engagement. This research highlights the critical role that brands play in facilitating these vital connections and creating experiences that not only build emotional ties but also foster enduring loyalty.
To explore the full details of PMC’s research, download the study at: www.pmc.com/2025popculturereport
Report Methodology
In August 2024, Penske Media Corporation (PMC) surveyed a highly targeted segment of 1200 engaged, pop-culturally aware individuals to explore their interest and interaction with live experiences, events, and key cultural moments; as well as the significance these hold for fans, artists, and the brands that make them happen. This study incorporates a blend of qualitative, quantitative, and first-party data, with a spotlight on distinct generational groups: Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers.