The Recording Academy will shift its annual Grammy Awards broadcast to ABC, Hulu, and Disney+ beginning in 2027 under a ten-year agreement. The 68th ceremony, which took place February 1 at Crypto.com Arena, concluded the organization’s existing broadcast partnership with CBS and Paramount+. This transition, first announced in October 2024, represents a strategic move toward streaming platforms and network integration.
Kendrick Lamar emerged as the evening’s dominant figure, collecting five awards. He won Record of the Year for “Luther” and Best Rap Album for GNX, sweeping all rap categories. This marks Lamar’s second consecutive year as the ceremony’s top winner and his fourth occasion achieving five Grammys in a single night. These victories elevated Lamar past Jay-Z as the most-awarded hip-hop artist in Grammy history.
Lamar’s continued success reflects evolving priorities within the Recording Academy’s voting body. The organization has repeatedly honored the rapper, known for his layered lyricism and storytelling, establishing a clear pattern of recognition for depth in hip-hop.
Bad Bunny won Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, making it the first Spanish-language album to receive the top prize. He becomes the third Latino artist to achieve this honor. This award continues a trend of the academy acknowledging the global music market, positioning Spanish-language music as mainstream within the Grammys’ official records.
Trevor Noah hosted the ceremony for the sixth consecutive time and indicated it would be his final appearance. The academy will need to select a new host for the ABC era, a decision that may signal the organization’s future direction. Noah’s tenure was characterized by steady, professional, largely controversy-free hosting.
The 68th Grammys marked the 23rd year at Crypto.com Arena, which has hosted the ceremony since 1973. The move to ABC breaks this geographic continuity, though the event is expected to remain in Los Angeles. The more significant change involves distribution, as streaming becomes the primary delivery method for an increasing share of viewers. The Hulu and Disney+ arrangement reflects this shift.
Billie Eilish also earned notable wins during the ceremony, though specific categories were not detailed. Her recognition, alongside Lamar’s, demonstrates the academy’s willingness to reward artists who achieve both commercial success and critical acclaim.
The ten-year broadcast deal extends through 2037, representing a long-term commitment in a rapidly changing media landscape. The academy is securing a partner before further industry shifts occur. CBS had carried the show for decades. The switch acknowledges that the traditional broadcast model, even with streaming supplements, no longer aligns with contemporary viewing habits.
The 68th Grammys functioned as a transition point beneath the surface of a standard awards show. A new broadcast home, a new most-awarded hip-hop artist, and a historic Album of the Year winner all signal movement within the Recording Academy. Whether the audience follows remains to be seen.
