Plot Synopsis

Each year since 1966, the Academy of Country Music has honored and showcased the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry. Founded in 1964, this organization works towards its mission to support, promote, and enhance the advancement of the country music industry worldwide. The event was not televised until 1972, when it aired in syndication (on many ABC affiliates) on tape delay, within a few weeks after the ceremony. The ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS (ACM AWARDS) continued to air on ABC in syndication and late night through 1978 -- even as part of the ABC late-night program ABC'S WIDE WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT in 1974 and 1975 -- after which dick clark productions became involved and the ACM AWARDS moved to NBC primetime the following year, where it aired live for the next 19 years. In 1998, the ACM AWARDS moved to CBS, which broadcast the ceremony live through 2021. Amazon Prime Video started live streaming the event in 2022.
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Hosted by Reba McEntire, the 60th ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS streamed live without commercial interruption from Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, TX, on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 8pm ET/5pm PT on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch. A Prime membership is not be required to watch live; everyone is invited to the Party of the Year.

Returning as host for the 18th time, the most of any artist, Reba has a celebrated history with Country Music's Party of the Year.

The celebration of 60 years of the ACM Awards features an opening with 12 minutes straight of music highlighting ACM Songs of the Year from six decades in an all-star performance that brings together Clint Black, Dan + Shay, LeAnn Rimes, Sugarland, Reba McEntire, and Wynonna Judd. The milestone show also features a star-packed lineup of previously announced performers including Alan Jackson, Backstreet Boys, Blake Shelton, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Shaboozey, and Zach Top.

Country superstar Keith Urban will be honored with the coveted ACM Triple Crown Award, with must-see performances of his chart-topping hits by Chris Stapleton, Megan Moroney, and Brothers Osborne.

Presenters include: Blake Shelton, Carly Pearce, Clint Black, Crystal Gayle, ERNEST, Gabby Barrett, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, Jordan Davis, Lionel Richie, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, singer-songwriter and actress Rita Wilson, Sara Evans, Sugarland, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Wynonna Judd. NASCAR driver Chase Elliott will also present, as well as Amazon Music's co-hosts of the Country Heat Weekly Podcast, Amber Anderson and Kelly Sutton.

Plus, five-time ACM Award-winner Bobby Bones has also been added to the ACM Awards show, where he will have multiple moments throughout the night with candid artist interviews.