How to Watch the CMT Music Awards Live For Free to Root for Your Favorite Country Acts

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Austin’s biggest night in country music is fast approaching. If you’re a fan of the genre, you won’t want to miss it—which is exactly why we’re sharing how to watch the CMT Music Awards live for free, so you can get to see which of your favorite artists take home a trophy.

The CMT Music Awards, an annual ceremony celebrating the best in country music videos, has been a staple in the industry since its inception in 1967. Back then, the ceremony was known as the Music City News Awards, and has gone through a few name changes in the decades since before officially becoming the version of the ceremony we know today. Originally held in Nashville, Tennessee, the awards show has since moved to Austin, Texas and continues to grow in popularity, attracting millions of viewers each year.

For country music enthusiasts, the CMT Music Awards stands out because it happens to be one of the only awards shows in the genre where winners are voted for by fans. So, whether you’re rooting for established stars like Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban or cheering on rising talents like Zach Bryan and Ashley Cooke, you’ll know that every winning artist is a fan favorite.

In recent years, streaming options have made it easier than ever to watch the CMT Music Awards live online for free. There are several services offering free trials that coincide with the date of the awards show, giving anyone with internet connection an opportunity to catch the action for themselves. So, whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply curious to see what this year’s show has in store, don’t miss your chance to find out how to watch the CMT Music Awards live for free below. With a little bit of internet savvy and a whole lot of country spirit, you can join millions of fans in celebrating country music’s most memorable video moments of the year.

When do the CMT Music Awards air?

The 2024 CMT Music Awards will air live on CBS on Sunday, April 7, 2024 from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET.

How to watch the CMT Music Awards live for free

The CMT Music Awards ceremony will air on CBS, which is available to stream on services like DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Paramount Plus, and Hulu+ With Live TV. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial, and starts at $79.99 per month after the trial ends. Paramount Plus offers a seven-day free trial and starts at $5.99 per month. Fubo also offers a seven-day free trial, and starts at $74.99 per month after the trial ends. While Hulu+ With Live TV doesn’t have a free trial, it is cheaper per month than the other options, starting at $75.99 per month, and offers plans that include free subscriptions to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.

• Best Overall Pick to Watch the CMT Music Awards: DirecTV Stream
• Best Free Trial Pick to Watch the CMT Music Awards: Fubo
• Best Budget Pick to Watch the CMT Music Awards: Paramount Plus
• Best Upgrade Pick to Watch the CMT Music Awards: Hulu+ With Live TV

Best Overall Pick to Watch the CMT Music Awards: DirecTV Stream

Direct TV is our best overall pick to watch the CMT Music Awards live for free for its free trial, price, and channel selection. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial. DirecTV offers four plans: Entertainment, which costs $79.99 per month; Choice, which costs $108.99 per month (with the first three months at $98.99 per month with DirectTV’s current deal); Ultimate, which costs $119.99 per month; and Premiere, which costs $174.99 per month.

As for other differences between the plans, Entertainment includes more than 75 channels, the ability to stream on unlimited devices in your home, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and a special offer on premium channels. Choice, which is the most popular plan, includes more than 105 channels, regional sports networks, and everything included in Entertainment. Ultimate includes more than 140 channels and everything included in Entertainment and Choice. Premiere includes more than 150 channels including premium channels like HBO and Starz and everything included in Entertainment, Choice, and Premiere. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the CMT Music Awards with DirecTV Stream’s free trial. 

1. Visit streamtv.directv.com‘s packages page
2. Click “Try It Free” for the plan of your choice
3. Enter your information and payment method
4. Search for CBS and start watching the CMT Music Awards

Best Free Trial Pick to Watch the CMT Music Awards: Fubo

Fubo is our best free trial pick to watch the CMT Music Awards live for free. Fubo offers a seven-day free trial (two days longer than DirecTV Stream) and offers three plans: Pro, which costs $74.99 per month, with $20 off your first month; Elite, which costs $84.99 per month with $20 off your first month; and Premier, which costs $94.99 per month, with $20 offered off your first month.

As for the difference between the plans, Pro includes 180 channels, 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR, and the ability to watch on up to 10 screens at once. Elite includes everything in Pro, as well as a total of 256 channels and 4K resolution. Premier includes everything in Pro and Elite, as well as a total of 299 channels, Showtime, and Red Zone NFL Network. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the CMT Music Awards with Fubo’s free trial. 

1. Visit Fubo.TV
2. Click “Start Free Trial”
3. Enter your information and payment method
4. Search for CBS and start watching the CMT Music Awards

Best Budget Pick to Watch the CMT Music Awards: Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus is our best budget pick to watch the CMT Music Awards live for free based on its price. Paramount Plus offers a seven-day free trial and two plans: Paramount Plus Essential, which costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year, and Paramount Plus With Showtime, which costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. To watch the CMT Music Awards live, fans will need Paramount Plus With Showtime.

As for the differences between the plans, Paramount Plus Essential includes limited ads; tens of thousands of TV shows and movies including CBS and Paramount Plus originals; NFL games on CBS; UEFA Champions League matches; and 24/7 live access to CBS News. Paramount Plus With Showtime includes everything in Essential, as well as no ads; Showtime original shows and movies; 24/7 live access to your local CBS news network; college football; and the ability to download and watch shows on your mobile device. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the CMT Music Awards with Paramount Plus’ free trial. 

1. Visit ParamountPlus.com
2. Click “Get It Now”
3. Select your plan
4. Enter your information and payment method
5. Search for CBS and start watching the CMT Music Awards

Best Upgrade Pick to Watch the CMT Music Awards: Hulu+ Live TV

Hulu+ With Live TV is our best upgrade pick to watch the CMT Music Awards based on its channel selection and its free subscriptions to Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus. Hulu+ With Live TV offers four plans: a $75.99 per month plan with access to only live TV; a $76.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; a $81.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; and a $89.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with no ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the CMT Music Awards with Hulu+ Live TV.

1. Visit Hulu.com/liveTV
2. Click “Sign Up Now”
3. Enter your information and payment method
4. Search for CBS and start watching the CMT Music Awards

Where are the 2024 CMT Music Awards taking place?

The 2024 CMT Music Awards will take place at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. In the past, the CMT Music Awards were hosted in Nashville, Tennessee—but the ceremony was moved to Austin for the first time in 2023. “The CMT Music Awards are coming back to Austin in 2024, and we couldn’t be more excited. As the ‘Live Music Capital of the World,’ Austin is no stranger to celebrating its vibrant music community and showcasing an eclectic array of musical talents,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said in a statement. “We’re proud that the CMT Music Awards are returning to Austin, and we can’t wait to welcome artists and visitors to our city.”

Who is the CMT Music Awards 2024 host?

For the fourth year in a row, Kelsea Ballerini will act as host for the show. This year marks the first time Ballerini will host the ceremony solo—in previous years, she has co-hosted with stars like Kane Brown and Anthony Mackie. “I couldn’t be more excited to be back for my fourth year with my CMT family to host this year’s CMT Music Awards in Austin, Texas,” Ballerini said in a statement. “Hosting an awards show that celebrates the music that the fans love most has been an honor, and I know this year will be another unforgettable night.”

Who is performing at the 2024 CMT Music Awards?

The 2024 CMT Music Awards announced the first round of performances for the ceremony, which include artists like nominee Jelly Roll, Sam Hunt, and Keith Urban—who will mark his 20th CMT Music Awards performance with his new single, “Straight Line.” Check out the full list of announced performers below.

• Bailey Zimmerman
• Brittney Spencer
• Cody Johnson
• Jelly Roll
• Jordan Davis
• Keith Urban
• Lainey Wilson
• Little Big Town
• Megan Moroney
• NEEDTOBREATHE
• Old Dominion
• Parker McCollum
• Sam Hunt
• Sugarland

Who are the 2024 CMT Music Awards nominees?

This year’s CMT Music Award nominees are an exciting mix of names new and old to country fans. Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, Kelsea Ballerini, Jelly Roll, and Cody Johnson are all tied for the most nominations at the fan-voted awards show. Check out the full list of 2024 CMT Music Award nominees below.

Video of the year

• Ashley McBryde – “Light On In The Kitchen”
• Brandy Clark feat. Brandi Carlile – “Dear Insecurity”
• Brothers Osborne – “Nobody’s Nobody”
• Cody Johnson – “The Painter”
• Darius Rucker – “Fires Don’t Start Themselves”
• HARDY – “Truck Bed”
• Jason Aldean – “Let Your Boys Be Country”
• Jelly Roll – “Need A Favor”
• Jordan Davis – “Next Thing You Know”
• Kacey Musgraves – “Deeper Well”
• Kelsea Ballerini – “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)”
• Lainey Wilson – “Watermelon Moonshine”
• Mickey Guyton feat. Kane Brown – “Nothing Compares To You”
• Parmalee – “Gonna Love You”
• Tyler Childers – “In Your Love”
• Zach Bryan – “Nine Ball”

Female video of the year

• Ashley McBryde – “Light On In The Kitchen”
• Gabby Barrett – “Glory Days”
• Kacey Musgraves – “Deeper Well”
• Kelsea Ballerini –  “Penthouse”
• Lainey Wilson – “Watermelon Moonshine”
• Megan Moroney – “I’m Not Pretty”
• Reba McEntire – “Seven Minutes In Heaven”

Male video of the year

• Bailey Zimmerman – “Religiously”
• Cody Johnson – “The Painter”
• HARDY – “Truck Bed” 
• Jelly Roll – “Need A Favor”
• Jordan Davis – “Next Thing You Know”
• Luke Combs – “Fast Car (Official Live Video)” 
• Morgan Wallen – “Last Night (One Record At A Time Sessions)”

Duo/group video of the year

• Brothers Osborne – “Nobody’s Nobody”
• Dan + Shay – “Save Me The Trouble”   
• Old Dominion – “Memory Lane”
• Parmalee – “Girl In Mine”
• The War And Treaty – “Have You A Heart”
• Tigirlily Gold – “Shoot Tequila”

Collaborative video of the year

• Carly Pearce feat. Chris Stapleton – “We Don’t Fight Anymore”
• Ella Langley feat. Koe Wetzel – “That’s Why We Fight”
• Jon Pardi, Luke Bryan – “Cowboys And Plowboys”
• Justin Moore & Priscilla Block – “You, Me And Whiskey”
• Lukas Nelson + Promise of The Real feat. Lainey Wilson – “More Than Friends”
• Mickey Guyton feat. Kane Brown – “Nothing Compares To You”
• Old Dominion & Megan Moroney – “Can’t Break Up Now”

Breakthrough female video of the year, presented by Walt Disney World

• Anne Wilson – “Rain In The Rearview”
• Ashley Cooke – “your place”
• Brittney Spencer – “Bigger Than The Song”
• Tigirlily Gold – “Shoot Tequila”

Breakthrough male video of the year, presented by Walt Disney World

• Chayce Beckham – “23”
• Tyler Childers – “In Your Love”
• Warren Zeiders – “Pretty Little Poison”
• Zach Bryan – “Oklahoma Smokeshow”

CMT performance of the year

• Amber Riley – “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” (from CMT Smashing Glass)
• Bret Michaels & Chris Janson – “Nothing But a Good Time” (from CMT Crossroads)
• Carrie Underwood – “Hate My Heart” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
• Cody Johnson – “Human” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
• Dierks Bentley – “Drunk On A Plane” (from CMT Storytellers) 
• Dustin Lynch feat. MacKenzie Porter – “Thinking ‘Bout You” (from CMT Campfire Sessions)
• Hozier & Maren Morris – “Take Me To Church” (from CMT Crossroads)
• Jelly Roll – “Need a Favor” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
• Kelsea Ballerini – “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
• The War And Treaty – “On My Own” (from CMT Smashing Glass)

CMT digital-first performance of the year

• Chase Rice – “Goodnight Nancy” (from CMT Studio Sessions)
• Dylan Scott – “Don’t Close Your Eyes (Keith Whitley Cover)” (from CMT Digital Campfire Sessions)
• Megan Moroney – “I’m Not Pretty” (from CMT Digital Campfire Sessions)
• Nate Smith – “Whiskey On You” (from CMT Studio Sessions)
• Stephen Wilson Jr. – “Year to Be Young 1994” (from CMT Studio Sessions)
• Scotty McCreery – “It Matters To Her” (from CMT Stages)
• The Castellows – “I Know It Will Never End” (from CMT Studio Sessions)

The 2024 CMT Music Awards air live on CBS on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Here’s how to watch them for free.

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