Last Updated: February 9, 2025
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2025 CMT Awards Called Off Amid Paramount Merger
Last Updated: February 9, 2025
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In a major shake-up for country music fans, the 2025 CMT Music Awards have officially been canceled as Paramount, the network behind the show, navigates its ongoing merger with Skydance Media.
The decision comes as part of a broader effort to restructure Paramount’s event lineup, with the company stating that they are working to “reimagine and optimize our events slate going forward.”
While the wording makes it sound temporary, there is no clear timeline for the awards show’s return—if it comes back at all.
This means that, for the first time since 2002, there will be no fan-voted CMT Music Awards celebrating country music videos this spring.
Fans and artists are left wondering if the show, which has been a beloved part of country music for over two decades, will ever return.
Continue reading for more details!
A Long-Running Tradition in Jeopardy
The CMT Music Awards started in 2002 as the CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards and later evolved into the format country music fans know today.
Unlike the CMA Awards and ACM Awards, which are voted on by industry professionals, the CMT Awards have always been decided entirely by fans.
This unique approach allowed country music lovers to have a direct say in who took home the trophies, making it a fan-favorite event in the country music calendar.
The awards primarily focused on music videos, celebrating visual storytelling alongside the songs themselves.
Over the years, some of the biggest stars in country music have won multiple CMT Music Awards, with Carrie Underwood holding the record for the most Video of the Year wins (10 in total).
Her dominance at the CMTs cemented her status as one of the genre’s biggest superstars.
The CMT Awards have also been known for iconic collaborations, often bringing together artists from different genres for memorable performances.
Past shows have seen country stars team up with pop, rock, and hip-hop artists, expanding the reach of the genre.
Why Is Paramount Canceling the Show?
The cancellation of the CMT Music Awards is not an isolated event.
It is part of a larger trend of Paramount cutting back on awards shows as the company merges with Skydance Media and shifts its focus to different areas of entertainment.
Other awards shows that have been canceled or put on hold include:
- MTV Europe Music Awards – A long-running event celebrating music across Europe.
- MTV Millennial Awards – Focused on younger audiences and social media trends.
- Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Mexico – A regional version of Nickelodeon’s popular slime-filled awards show.
Paramount has been making sweeping changes since 2024, cutting costs and restructuring its television and streaming platforms.
While the company hasn’t officially confirmed whether the CMT Awards will return in 2026, the lack of details suggests that this cancellation could be permanent.
CMT Music Awards Canceled For 2025, Details
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Last Year’s CMT Music Awards: A High Note Before the Uncertainty
The 2024 CMT Music Awards took place on April 7, 2024, in Austin, Texas, and were hosted by Kelsea Ballerini for the fourth consecutive year.
However, at the end of the show, she announced that it would be her last time hosting, a statement that now seems even more significant given the cancellation of the 2025 event.
The biggest winner of the night was Jelly Roll, who took home three awards, including Video of the Year for “Need a Favor.”
His victories reflected the growing impact of new artists in country music, as he beat out major names like Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, and Luke Combs.
Viewership for the 2024 CMT Awards reached 5.4 million on CBS, making it one of the most-watched country music awards shows of the year.
This was comparable to the CMA Awards on ABC, which drew around six million viewers in the fall.
Despite its strong ratings and fan engagement, the CMT Awards’ cancellation signals that even popular events aren’t safe from corporate restructuring.
What’s Left for Country Music Fans?
With the CMT Awards now off the table, that leaves just two major country music awards shows still standing:
- The ACM Awards (Academy of Country Music Awards) – Scheduled for May 8, 2025, streaming live on Amazon Prime Video.
- The CMA Awards (Country Music Association Awards) – Held every November on ABC.
These two award shows have historically been the most prestigious events in country music, but they lack the fan-voted aspect that made the CMT Awards special.
Additionally, country music fans still have events like:
- The Billboard Music Awards – Recognizing top-selling country artists.
- The People’s Choice Country Awards – Launched in 2023, allowing fans to vote.
- The Grammy Awards – Featuring country categories, though not a country-specific event.
Will the CMT Music Awards Ever Return?
While Paramount has described this as a “pause” rather than a cancellation, the lack of concrete plans for a return raises doubts.
The network could choose to bring the show back in a new format or sell the rights to another network, but until then, fans and artists alike are left in the dark.
For now, the country music world will have to move forward without one of its most unique and fan-driven award shows.
2024 CMT Music Awards: List of Winners
The 2024 CMT Music Awards celebrated the best in country music videos and performances, with Jelly Roll dominating the night by winning Video of the Year, Male Video of the Year, and CMT Performance of the Year. Other big winners included Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce & Chris Stapleton, and Dan + Shay.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Video of the Year | Jelly Roll — Need a Favor |
| Female Video of the Year | Lainey Wilson — Watermelon Moonshine |
| Male Video of the Year | Jelly Roll — Need a Favor |
| Duo/Group Video of the Year | Dan + Shay — Save Me the Trouble |
| Collaborative Video of the Year | Carly Pearce feat. Chris Stapleton — We Don’t Fight Anymore |
| Female Breakthrough Video of the Year | Ashley Cooke — Your Place |
| Male Breakthrough Video of the Year | Warren Zeiders — Pretty Little Poison |
| CMT Performance of the Year | Jelly Roll — Need a Favor (from 2023 CMT Music Awards) |
| CMT Digital – First Performance of the Year | Scotty McCreery — It Matters to Her (from CMT Stages) |
Conclusion
- The cancellation of the 2025 CMT Music Awards marks a significant shift in country music’s award landscape.
- For over two decades, the CMTs have provided a unique, fan-driven platform to celebrate country music videos and highlight artists through the power of audience votes.
- With Paramount’s ongoing merger with Skydance Media, the show’s future remains uncertain—whether it will return in a new format or disappear entirely is still up in the air.
- For now, country music fans will have to rely on the ACMs, CMAs, and newer award shows to celebrate their favorite artists.
- But the loss of the CMT Awards leaves a noticeable gap—one that no other show quite fills.
- Will another network revive the CMTs, or will a new awards show rise to take its place? Only time will tell.
- No matter what happens next, the CMT Music Awards will be remembered for its role in shaping country music culture, highlighting breakout stars, legendary collaborations, and unforgettable performances.
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Bee DeloresAuthor
Bee DeloresLover of hiking, biking, horror movies, cats and camping. Writer at Wide Open Country, Holler and Nashville Gab.
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