Awards
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The Oscars made the announcement on Monday, March 17: Comedian Conan O’Brien, who had earned top marks for hosting the 2025 Oscars, would be returning as host of the 2026 Oscars on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Most of us focused on the host announcement, which was made far earlier in the year than is typical, but Murphy Reinschreiber, COO of the McCourt Foundation, which operates the L.A. Marathon, immediately zeroed in the date, which was the same as the already-announced date of the 2026 L.A. Marathon, which is typically held on the third Sunday in March.
The McCourt Foundation had announced its 2026 marathon date on March 15, one day before the 2025 marathon and two days before the Oscars made their announcement.
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Reinschreiber was driving home after finishing work on this year’s marathon when he learned of the double booking.
“It was confusing and the other thought that went to my mind is there are just no days off in this business,” he told The Los Angeles Times. “It’s one thing after the other.”
It would be virtually impossible to have both megaevents on the same date. The Oscars is held at the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Blvd., which is right along the marathon route. Both events require significant road closures and law enforcement deployment.
After six weeks of uncertainty, a solution was finally reached on Thursday (May 1): The 98th Oscars will be held as originally scheduled. The McCourt Foundation will announce a new March date for the race in the coming days.
Both parties also agreed that, to avoid future date conflicts, the L.A. Marathon will take place on the third Sunday in March (on which it has often but not always been held in recent years), and the Oscars will steer clear of that date. (Though the Oscars are often right around this date, this was the first time the Oscars landed on the third Sunday in March since 1999.)
Moving a marathon is no easy feat. The event spans a large chunk of the city and involves more than 25,000 runners, thousands of volunteers, medical personnel, law enforcement and city workers.
“The number of people, communities and businesses that are all impacted by a change of date is mind-boggling,” Reinschreiber told the L.A. Times. “We are going to have to undergo a significant community awareness program.”
More than 5,000 people have registered for the 2026 Marathon, and they will need to be offered the option of a refund due to the change in date, he said.
Who in city government wasn’t on top of things and allowed two megaevents to be scheduled for the same date? No one is saying.
With this conflict resolved, it’s official: The 2026 Oscars will air live on ABC on Sunday, March 15 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. It’s the third year in a row that the telecast will start at 4 p.m. on the West Coast — in an effort to make it so that East Coast viewers can find out who wins the biggest awards before they go to bed. (This year’s show ended at 10:50 p.m. ET, making that goal a reality for all but the earliest risers.)
The show will again be held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Theater in Hollywood, its home base for every year but one since 2002. (The best-forgotten 2021 pandemic show was held at the Union Station in downtown L.A.)
Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan will return as the show’s executive producers for the third consecutive year. They first served in that capacity in 2024, when Kimmel hosted. They each won Primetime Emmys for outstanding variety special (live) for that show. Kapoor had previously won for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) for his work on Adele: One Night Only.
Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney will return as producers for a second time. Sweeney will also serve as a writer. Sweeney has won three Primetime Emmys for previous productions with O’Brien. Ross has won one.
Although the ceremony for the 2025 ACM Awards is still a few days away, Ella Langley and Riley Green are early winners for their breakthrough hit “You Look Like You Love Me.” The surprise was revealed while the pair were on stage at Country Thunder in Tampa, Florida, Friday night (May 2) — with the reveal coming from none other than country icon and 18-time ACM Awards host Reba McEntire.
A special video from Reba, in which she congratulated the two artists as winners of this year’s award for visual media of the year (for their “You Look Like You Love Me” music video), played during Green’s set at the festival on Friday. Langley receives honors for both artist and director in the category.
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“Sorry to interrupt, but I have some big news,” Reba teased in the clip that announced their win. “Congratulations to Ella and Riley! Can’t wait to celebrate with you both in Frisco!”
Langley learned of her first Academy of Country Music award just a week ago, during her set at Rock the Country in Knoxville, Tennessee.
News of that first win — for new female artist of the year — arrived courtesy of friend and co-writer Miranda Lambert via video message. (Lambert, who called Langley “my soul sister in country music and a partner in crime,” was named winner in the same category 18 years ago.)
Langley’s the most-nominated artist at the 60th ACM Awards.
With two awards to her name already, several remain up for grabs for the singer-songwriter at this year’s ceremony: female artist of the year, plus single of the year, song of the year and music event of the year (all for her “You Look Like You Love Me” duet with Green). For song of the year, the two are nominated as both artists and songwriters.
The twangy, flirty barroom duet, released in 2024, made it to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, No. 7 on Hot Country Songs and No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The 2025 ACM Awards will stream live globally on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch on Thursday, May 8 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Expect to tune in for two-and-a-half hours to catch the full show.
The Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running country music awards show, with its inaugural year being 1966.
The ACM Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.
“Back in the day,” Chubby Checker tells Billboard from his home in New Jersey, “I said, ‘I don’t want to be in the Rock Hall when I’m dead. I want to smell my flowers when I’m here.’ And I’m smelling my flowers…a little late in the game, I would admit, but I’m still alive to see Chubby Checker in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”
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Eligible since the first Rock Hall class in 1986, the 83-year-old responsible for “The Twist” and other dance sensations will finally arrive in the shrine during the Nov. 8 induction ceremony in Los Angeles — on his first nomination, no less. That’s come as a surprise, even shock, to many fans since the news broke about Checker’s induction, but the South Carolina native (born Ernest Evans) says it’s not something he’s been fretting about over the years.
“It’s another milestone — and the beat goes on,” he notes.
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Nevertheless, Checker famously protested outside of the Rock Hall museum in Cleveland back in 2002, but he clarifies that it wasn’t simply about his exclusion from the ranks. “I wanted people to know that Chubby’s music was not being played, that’s all it was,” he explains. “The protest was, ‘Please play Chubby’s music.’ The best thing for any artist is to get his music played, and my music wasn’t getting played and I was a little upset about it. You can walk into the supermarket and hear (sings) ‘Bennie and the Jets’…but not ‘The Twist,’ and you look around the supermarket and every company’s got some kind of twist product, you know? I did it very nicely. I didn’t try to cause any problems. I never protested anything in my life except that.”
Checker will, of course, enter the Rock Hall with ample credentials as a groundbreaker and architect. Inspired to pursue music after seeing country great Ernest Tubb perform at a South Carolina fair when he was four years old, Checker and his family moved to South Philadelphia and he began singing doo-wop as a youth. Nicknamed Chubby by a boss at the produce market where he worked, he auditioned as a teen for American Bandstand host Dick Clark, whose wife Barbara added Checker as a surname as a salute to Fats Domino.
Checker imitated Domino, Elvis Presley and other poplar singers at the time for a 1959 single called “The Class,” after which Clark suggested he take on “The Twist,” which was written by Hank Ballard — based on dances he saw teenagers doing in Tampa, Fla. It was only a modest success for him and his band, the Midnighters. Adding dance moves to his performance, Checker took the song to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 during September 1960 and then for a second time in January 1962 — the only single to do that until Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” decades down the road.
“‘The Twist’ gave us what we have on the dance floor — and is still giving us that,” says Checker, who despite his Philadelphia roots was a supporter of the Rock Hall being built in Cleveland, in deference to pioneering radio DJ Alan Freed. “Before (‘The Twist’), Elvis and Little Richard and Bill Haley and Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly, they were doing the swing to their songs. Then Chubby Checker comes along and…the whole world changed.” Checker followed “The Twist” with other dance songs, including “Pony Time,” “The Fly,” “Limbo Rock,” “Let’s Twist Again” and a resurrection of the late ‘40s dance “The Hucklebuck.”
“Chubby Checker never left the dance floor,” he says. “I used to call myself the wheel that rock rolls on, because anyone after Chubby Checker who had a song that you could dance to, they were in my world, that I brought to the dance floor. Dancing to the beat is what we brought, and it’s still there — no matter what it is. It’s called the boogie, and the boogie is still going on. Someone once said, ‘Chubby, you want to do a disco song?’ ‘Why? I did that already.’”
In all, Checker has had 32 songs (and seven top 10 hits) on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2008 Billboard honored “The Twist” as No. 1 on the Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs list, which it held until the Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” took the honor in 2021. Nevertheless, Checker notes, “it will always be the No. 1 song. There will be a number two No. 1 song, a number three No. 1 song, but (‘The Twist’) was the first and will always be the first.”
“The Twist” has also been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. The Rock Hall honored “The Twist” in 2018 by inducting the single as part of a new initiative — a practice that has not been repeated since.
Checker has no intention of recording anything new — “How am I gonna invent the wheel twice?” he asks — but still performs regularly. And that continuing demand, he says, has mitigated any disappointment he may have felt while waiting for his Rock Hall induction.
“Listen, I’m a blessed human being,” Checker says. “In spite of everything, my dreams come true every day. Every time I go on stage my dream comes true, my dream is renewed — that’s what keeps me going. I’m a blessed man in this world.”
Green Day got their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday (May 1), with former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield serving as emcee for the ceremony in his first public appearance since suffering a massive stroke in January.
Dressed in rock-appropriate black leather motorcycle jackets — except for drummer Tre Cool, who opted for a traditional suit and tie — the band were introduced by an emotional Pinfield. Making his way to the stage holding a cane, Pinfield said, “What an honor it is to be here today with these three guys that I love. Love their music and love them as people.”
Praising them as “one of the greatest live bands in the world,” Pinfield honored the trio’s breakthrough 1994 classic, Dookie, which he said, “made so many young people pick up guitars, bass, and drums, and want to sing and write songs. And that is what rock ‘n’ roll, punk rock is all about. That beauty, that love, a passing on of that gift. And that’s the thing that’s so special about Green Day and why it’s such an honor to be here today.”
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The ceremony also featured a speech from Green Day’s longtime producer Rob Cavallo, who recalled hearing a demo of “Longview” in 1993 and thinking, “this is the greatest band I have ever heard.” Next up was Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds, who jokingly called himself “the modern face of punk.” The star nodded to the band’s earliest days, when they were known as “Blood Rage” and “Sweet Children.”
He also told a story about being in the edit for the Deadpool & Wolverine movie a few years ago and how he imagined a poignant end credit sequence he wanted to express “warmth, gratitude and love.” Then, Green Day’s 1997 classic “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” came on and he realized he had his tune. “I’ve always loved this song. It isn’t just a song because anything that endures the way that this song, along with so many that these gentleman have blessed is with in the world, they endure because they’re a feeling as much as they are a story,” he said.
Reynolds said he wanted to thank singer Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and Cool for letting him use the song, so he found Armstrong’s number after the singer had attended a screening. “It’s cheating to use that song. You could set my colonoscopy to that song and people will weep,” he joked.
Earlier this week, Pinfield said he was “slowly but surely” recovering from the stroke he suffered on January 6 and looking forward to Thursday’s event. “Slowly but surely recovering.. lots of physical therapy.. Fighting my way back!!” he told fans in an update on his health last week. “One day at a time.”
The ceremony ended with the group taking the stage and Armstrong thanking his family and shouting out his mom, saying the Walk of Fame hoopla was like her “Super Bowl,” but also like “being at your own funeral.” He also thanked all the fans who buy their records and come to their shows, while Dirnt shouted out Armstrong’s mom for taking him in when he was a teen and his own mom for making him believe he could do anything.
“I hope everybody comes here and takes pictures for as long as you want to and as long as you can. We’ll never say thank you enough,” Dirnt said, getting choked up. Cool also thanked the fans who showed up and closed down the street for the event, as well as his bandmates, who he sweetly hugged. When the star was finally revealed, Green Day had an unexpected, surprise guest in the form of Public Enemy hype man Flavor Flav, who ran up at the last minute and got down on the ground next to Cool so he could appear in the official pictures.
The Flav crash came two weeks after the rapper hopped on stage with the band on their second Coachella weekend on April 19 dressed as their iconic dirty drunk bunny mascot.
Watch the full Green Day Walk of Fame ceremony and some highlights below.
People watching the 67th annual Grammy Awards, which aired three months ago today, contributed nearly $10 million for Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts. MusiCares reports that that money has made its way to recipients across the region, helping both music professionals and the broader local population affected by the horrific event.
MusiCares has distributed $6,125,000 to more than 3,100 music professionals across Los Angeles. In addition, $3,969,005 has been directed to three community-based organizations: California Community Foundation, Direct Relief and Pasadena Community Foundation.
In addition to the $10 million contributed by Grammy telecast viewers, MusiCares and the Recording Academy raised another $16 million during Grammy weekend thanks to the MusiCares Fire Relief campaign and the annual Persons of the Year gala, which this year honored the Grateful Dead. MusiCares has allocated $6 million of that $16 million to long-term fire relief efforts, while the other $10 million from Persons of the Year gala will be used for MusiCares’ year-round mission delivery.
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“The music community does amazing things when it comes together,” Harvey Mason jr., Recording Academy and MusiCares CEO, said in a statement. “This outpouring of love and support was humbling, whether it was performing or participating on the show, making contributions or donating their time and items for fundraisers. We are grateful for this amazing community and the Grammy viewers who felt inspired to give.”
Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares, added: “What moved us most in the days following the Grammy telecast wasn’t just the scale of support, it was the spirit behind it. Thousands of people gave what they could, and together, their generosity became a lifeline for those in crisis, which reached far beyond our industry. That’s why we partnered with trusted community organizations who are helping Angelenos across the region access the care, resources and support they need to rebuild.”
MusiCares reports that the median contribution during the Grammy telecast was $53.50.
The Grammy telecast, which was held less than a month after the wildfires broke out on Jan. 7, included several segments dedicated to raising awareness of the crisis. Two of the night’s performances were specifically inspired by the events – Dawes’ opening performance of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” and Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga bypassing their own nominated smash “Die With a Smile” to perform the Mamas & the Papas’ “California Dreamin’.”
While MusiCares responded within days of the fire’s outbreak to provide immediate assistance, the long-term needs of music professionals are only now coming into sharper focus. From loss of work and instruments to the emotional toll of displacement and trauma, the wildfire tragedy continues to affect lives. MusiCares continues to provide aid through customized case management, mental health support and financial assistance to those with lasting need.
MusiCares Fire Relief funding comes from multiple sources, of which the Grammy telecast was the largest. Fire Relief distributions are made as part of an independent and confidential client case management model overseen by MusiCares. MusiCares expects many more millions to be distributed over the coming year as they continue to serve the fire victims.
To address the broader community impact beyond the music industry, MusiCares and the Recording Academy partnered with three organizations already embedded in the neighborhoods hardest hit by the fires. Here are quotes from leaders in those organizations on the status of recovery efforts.
California Community Foundation (CCF)
“Recovery isn’t just about rebuilding homes,” said president and CEO Miguel Santana. “People who lost their homes also lost schools, churches, stores — the places that connected them to their neighbors to form the community they treasured. As we bring activity back to places like a park, a church, or a school, people can re-connect as a community. Those chances to be together can give people strength and hope as they continue the difficult process of rebuilding their individual lives.”
Direct Relief
“Recovery from wildfires involves more than rebuilding physical infrastructure—it requires addressing complex social challenges such as housing instability, food insecurity, and healthcare disparities,” said Dr. Byron Scott, CEO. “Community health centers and free and charitable clinics serve as vital anchors, providing not just medical care but comprehensive support including mental health counseling, housing assistance, and nutritional services.”
Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF)
“Nonprofits in Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre have been our partners on the ground for more than 70 years,” said Jeannine Bogaard, VP of community impact. “Throughout the last three months, PCF has seen these organizations meet the moment in countless ways—disbursing cash assistance and emergency supplies, securing stable housing, addressing the unique challenges of older adults, rescuing and tending to lost and injured pets, and so much more.”
For more information on the MusiCares Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort or to donate, visit www.musicares.org.
The slate of nominees have been announced for the 12th annual K-LOVE Fan Awards, Billboard can exclusively reveal. The awards show, which honors top hitmakers in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) genre each year, will return to Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House on May 25, and will be hosted by Matthew West, Jeremy Camp, Mac Powell and MercyMe‘s Bart Millard.
This year, 10 artists will vie for artist of the year: Brandon Lake, Crowder, Anne Wilson, TobyMac, Tauren Wells, Josh Baldwin, for KING & COUNTRY, MercyMe, CeCe Winans and Forrest Frank. Meanwhile, the song of the year contenders are Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” Baldwin’s “Made for More,” Wells’ “Take It All Back,” Crowder’s “Somebody Prayed,” Megan Woods’ “The Truth,” Leanna Crawford’s “Still Waters,” Jamie MacDonald’s “Desperate,” Winans’ “That’s My King,” MercyMe’s “Oh Death” and TobyMac’s “Nothin’ Sweeter.”
The annual awards show serves as the pinnacle each year for the three-day K-LOVE Ultimate Fan Experience, which also includes a Friday night kick-off concert, Emerging Artist Showcase, Songwriter’s showcase, Sunday morning worship service and more. This year’s Ultimate Fan Experience weekend will be held May 23-25 in Nashville.
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Last year, for King & Country took home the artist of the year honor, while other winners included Lake (male artist of the year as well as worship song of the year for “Praise You Anywhere”), Wilson (female artist of the year) and Elevation Worship (group of the year). The annual awards show is a John Sanders LLC production presented by Coca-Cola Consolidated.
See the full list of this year’s K-LOVE Fan Awards nominees below:
Song of the year:
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake“Made for More” – Josh Baldwin“Take It All Back” – Tauren Wells“Somebody Prayed” – Crowder“The Truth” – Megan Woods“Still Waters” – Leanna Crawford“Desperate” – Jamie MacDonald“That’s My King” – CeCe Winans“Oh Death” – MercyMe“Nothin’ Sweeter” – TobyMac
Worship song of the year:
“Goodbye Yesterday” – Elevation Rhythm“God Is Not Against Me” – Elevation Worship“That’s Who I Praise” – Brandon Lake“Take You at Your Word” – Cody Carnes“Lead On Good Shepherd” – Patrick Mayberry“In the Name of Jesus” – JWLKRS Worship“The Jesus Way” – Phil Wickham
Breakout single: “Desperate” – Jamie MacDonald“The Truth” – Megan Woods“Still Waters” – Leanna Crawford“Whisper and the Wind” – Bodie“Flowers” – Samantha Ebert
Artist of the year:
Brandon LakeCrowderAnne WilsonTobyMacTauren WellsJosh Baldwinfor KING & COUNTRYMercyMeCeCe WinansForrest Frank
Group of the year:
CAINMercyMefor KING & COUNTRYWe Are MessengersElevation WorshipCaleb & JohnBig Daddy WeaveJWLKRS WorshipElevation RhythmWe The Kingdom
Male artist of the year:
Brandon LakeCrowderJeremy CampTauren WellsJosh BaldwinTobyMacForrest FrankPhil WickhamMatthew WestJosiah Queen
Female artist of the year:
Anne WilsonCeCe WinansLauren DaigleTasha LaytonTerrianJamie MacDonaldMegan WoodsLeanna CrawfordKaty NicholeSamantha Ebert
Film Impact:
Unsung HeroThe Best Christmas Pageant EverThe Unbreakable BoyBonhoefferSound of HopeCabriniThe ForgeWhite BirdSomeone Like YouThe Chosen Season 5
TV/Streaming Impact:
The Wingfeather Saga Season 2House of DavidShadrachHomestead: The SeriesThe Riot and the Dance Season 1Heart of a Servant: The Father Flanagan Story
Podcast impact:
Jan Harrison – Rooted & Radiant
Jonathan Pokluda’s Becoming Something podcast
John Siebeling and Wayne Francis – Leadership in Black & White
Andy Chrisman – 1 Degree of Andy
Christine Caine – Life & Leadership Podcast
Lisa Harper – Back Porch Theology
Max Lucado – Encouraging Word Podcast
Book Impact:
I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t – Lysa TerKeurstGod Never Gives Up on You – Max LucadoI Surrender All – Priscilla ShirerDevoted to Jesus – Alex & Stephen KendrickFeasting on God’s Word – Kristi McLellandHow Great Is Our God – Chris TomlinMy Story Your Glory – Matthew West
Jack Antonoff was named ASCAP Pop Music Songwriter of the Year at a private event at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles on Thursday (May 1). The hitmaker co-wrote six of ASCAP’s most-performed songs of the past year: Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” and no fewer than five songs by Taylor Swift: “Anti-Hero,” “Fortnight,” “I Can Do It with a Broken Heart,” “Is It Over Now? (Taylor’s Version) (From the Vault)” and “Karma.”
Antonoff, 41, has won 11 Grammys, including two in songwriting categories: song of the year for “We Are Young” (which he co-wrote with his fun. bandmates and Jeff Bhasker) and best rock song for “Masseduction” (which he co-wrote with Annie Clark, a.k.a. St. Vincent). He won best song musically and lyrically at the 2023 Ivor Novello Awards for “King” (which he co-wrote with Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine).
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Teddy Swims’ breakthrough hit “Lose Control” is the ASCAP Pop Music Song of the Year. Co-written by ASCAP songwriter Joshua “Ammo” Coleman, it set a new record for the longest run song in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 (59 weeks, as of this week). The smash is published by Kobalt Music and Top Notch High Quality Music.
ASCAP Pop Music Publisher of the Year goes to Sony Music Publishing. Among their list of honored works are “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” (Shaboozey), “Hot to Go!” (Chappell Roan), “Houdini” (Dua Lipa), “Not Like Us” (Kendrick Lamar), “Stick Season” (Noah Kahan) and “Texas Hold ‘Em” (Beyoncé).
ASCAP Pop Music Award-winning songwriters this year also include Amy Allen, Beyoncé, Chappell Roan, Dan Nigro, Dua Lipa, Justin Timberlake, Justin Tranter, Noah Kahan, Olivia Rodrigo, Shaboozey and Victoria Monét.
The ASCAP Pop Music Awards honor the songwriters and publishers of the most-performed ASCAP pop songs of 2024. The winning songs are determined by data for terrestrial and satellite radio and for programmed and on-demand audio streams, all provided by Luminate Data LLC.
More information on the 2025 ASCAP Pop Music Award winners is available at www.ascap.com/popawards25.
Stax: Soulsville U.S.A., Will & Harper, Shōgun and Hacks are among the 34 films or programs that won Peabody Awards on Thursday (May 1). The Peabody Awards’ board of jurors said these winners “represent the most captivating and inspiring stories released in broadcasting and streaming media during 2024.”
The winners were chosen by a unanimous vote of 27 jurors from more than 1,000 entries from television, podcasts/radio and the web in entertainment, news, documentary, arts, children’s/youth, public service, and interactive/immersive programming and media.
Stax: Soulsville U.S.A. tells the story of the fabled label that rose out of Memphis, Tennessee, to become one of the most successful R&B labels in music history. The label was founded by two siblings, business partners Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton (whose last names formed the basis of the label’s name). Booker T. & the M.G.’s served as the label’s house band. Other artists signed to the label in its glory years include Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd and Isaac Hayes.
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In Will & Harper, comedy writer Harper Steele navigates her gender transition while reconnecting with longtime friend and collaborator Will Ferrell. The film ends with a charming song co-written and performed by Kristen Wiig. The tune was shortlisted for an Oscar for best original song, but wasn’t nominated.
Other Peabody-winning programs or films with a music tie-in are Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story, about a Black trans soul singer; We Are Lady Parts, a comedy about an all-female Muslim punk band; and Surviving Nova, about the deadly 2023 attackon the all-night Nova music festival in Israel.
Shōgun and Baby Reindeer, which won Primetime Emmys in September for outstanding drama series and outstanding limited or anthology series, respectively, both won Peabody Awards. But Hacks, which won the Primetime Emmy for outstanding comedy series, lost in its Peabody bid.
Netflix received the most awards with six, followed by HBO/Max with four, PBS with three, and FX/Hulu and Al Jazeera with two each. Documentary led all categories this year with 12 wins, followed by seven for entertainment, and four each for interactive/immersive programming, podcasts/radio, and news.
Winners of the 85th Annual Peabody Awards will be celebrated on Sunday, June 1, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. The ceremony will be hosted by Roy Wood Jr. Longtime NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell will receive the Career Achievement Award and landmark NBC sketch-comedy series Saturday Night Live will be honored with the Institutional Award. The show has been celebrating its 50th anniversary this season. (Perhaps you’ve heard.)
Here’s a complete list of this year’s 34 Peabody Award winners, across eight broad categories. The capsule descriptions of each show are provided by the Peabody organization.
Photographer (National Geographic)
The first season of National Geographic’s Photographer showcases renowned photographers like Paul Nicklen, Cristina Mittermeier, and Anand Varma, who use their art to highlight issues such as environmental threats, the wonders of nature, and the representation of the African diaspora. Through beautiful and probing documentaries directed by notable filmmakers, the series explores the deeper implications of photography, emphasizing how images are crafted to advocate for visibility and awareness. (National Geographic, Little Monster Films)
Out of My Mind (Disney+)
Director Amber Sealey’s film Out of My Mind follows sixth-grader Melody Brooks, a nonverbal teen with cerebral palsy, as she asserts her independence, showing how adults often overlook her efforts to communicate. The film’s heartfelt storytelling and sensitivity emphasize the importance of treating individuals with special needs with respect and empathy. (Big Beach, Participant, EveryWhere Studios LLC, and Disney Branded Television)
Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story (CRAVE)
Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story creatively chronicles the life of pioneering trans soul and R&B singer Jackie Shane, who has largely been forgotten due to the scarcity of video footage from her performances. Through inventive rotoscoped animations, audio of her conversations with co-director Michael Mabbott, and interviews with her relatives, the documentary explores Shane’s complex identity and her reasons for stepping away from the spotlight. (A Bangers Films and National Film Board of Canada production)
Black Box Diaries (MTV Documentary Films / Showtime)
Shiori Itō, a young journalist in Japan, tells her own harrowing story of bravely confronting the powerful male journalist Noriyuki Yamaguchi after he rapes her, despite facing disbelief from the police and media. Her relentless pursuit of justice, using her smartphone to document conversations and gather evidence, imbues the documentary with an intense intimacy and determination. (Hanashi Films, Cineric Creative, and Star Sands)
Bread & Roses (Apple TV+)
The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 severely restricted the rights of more than 20 million women, preventing them from accessing education and employment while facing harsh public limitations. Sahra Mani’s documentary Bread & Roses highlights the resilience of Afghan women in these circumstances, showing their organized resistance as well as the joy they insist on finding in their everyday lives. (Apple Original Films presents an Eyan Foundation presentation in association with Extracurricular and Excellent Cadaver)
Daughters (Netflix)
Daughters, directed by Natalie Rae and Angela Patton, explores the Date With Dad program, which hosts dances for girls and their incarcerated fathers, creating a temporary sense of home in a prison setting. The film poignantly highlights the emotional struggles of these girls and their families, emphasizing that while the event fosters connection, it cannot replace the presence of a father throughout their childhoods. (A Netflix Documentary / An Object & Animal and Epoch Films Production / A Park Pictures and XTR Production /Iin association with OPC, World of HA, Simpson Street, and Two One Five)
Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa (Netflix)
This film tells the inspiring story of Lhakpa Sherpa, who balances an ordinary life working at Whole Foods in the United States while nurturing her extraordinary passion for climbing Mount Everest, where she has made multiple record-breaking summits. The documentary not only highlights her remarkable achievements against the backdrop of personal struggles, but also vividly showcases her resilience and spirit, her tenacity and connection to the mountains. (A Netflix Documentary / An SK Global Entertainment Production / An OBB Pictures Production / An Avocados and Coconuts Production / In association with MakeMake Entertainment)
Night is Not Eternal (HBO | Max)
In Night is Not Eternal, filmmaker Nanfu Wang explores the complexities of dissent and solidarity through her profile of Cuban activist Rosa María Payá Acevedo, highlighting their shared experiences in authoritarian regimes. As Wang documents Payá Acevedo’s journey during the Trump administration and the 2020 election, they confront growing ideological divides, ultimately revealing the challenges and compromises individuals make in the pursuit of “freedom” and “democracy.” (HBO Documentary Films presents A Little Horse Crossing the River and Hard Working Movies Production in association with NiKa Media and Secret Sauce Media)
One With the Whale (Independent Lens, PBS)
One With the Whale follows 16-year-old Yupik tribal member Chris Apassingok as he celebrates his first harpooned whale, a significant coming-of-age milestone and means of provision for his village, only to face a wave of hateful online backlash from an environmental group when photos of his accomplishment are posted on social media. Directed by Jim Wickens and Peter Chelkowski, the film powerfully illustrates the challenges faced by indigenous communities in preserving their traditions amidst climate change and external judgement from an increasingly connected world. (Vitamin Sea Productions and Vision Maker Media)
Queendom
Queendom follows Jenna, a gifted performance artist whose bold self-expression becomes an act of resistance against oppression and violence in Putin’s Russia. Through Agniia Galdanova’s powerful storytelling, the documentary captures both Jenna’s painful struggles and her triumphant perseverance. (A Galdanova Film Production in association with Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, International Documentary Association, InMaat Productions, Doc Society and Sopka Films)
STAX: Soulsville U.S.A. (HBO | Max)
This powerful four-part HBO documentary chronicles the rise, fall, and cultural impact of the iconic Memphis soul label, showcasing legendary artists such as Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes. By weaving together music, history, and the era’s racial and political forces, the series delivers a poignant, soulful, and deeply American story. (HBO Documentary Films presents in association with Concord Originals, Polygram Entertainment, Warner Music Entertainment; A Laylow Pictures production; A White Horse Pictures production)
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (Netflix)
Benjamin Ree’s The Remarkable Life of Ibelin explores the enriching impact of video games through the life of Mats Steen, a Norwegian man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who finds community and meaning in World of Warcraft. By juxtaposing Steen’s virtual and real-life experiences, the film serves as a poignant tribute to his journey and highlights the profound connections that can be formed in digital spaces. (Medieoperatørene and VGTV for Netflix)
The Truth vs. Alex Jones (HBO | Max)
Director Dan Reed provides an exclusive look at the trial of radio host Alex Jones as he faces a lawsuit from the parents of Sandy Hook victims for promoting false claims about the shooting. The film not only highlights Jones’s manipulative tactics for fame and profit but also critiques a society where trust in shared truths is deteriorating, resulting in a compelling examination of truth versus conspiracy. (HBO Documentary Films presents an Amos Pictures Production)
Will & Harper (Netflix)
In Will & Harper, comedy writer Harper Steele navigates her gender transition while reconnecting with longtime friend and collaborator Will Ferrell, who offers unwavering support despite the challenges posed by societal bigotry and transphobia. Their cross-country trip becomes a humorous and heartfelt exploration of friendship, trans allyship, and the complexities of identity. (A Netflix Documentary / A Wayfarer Studios Film / A Delirio Films Production / A Gloria Sanchez Production)
Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Starring Richard Gadd as flailing stand-up comedian Donny Dunn, Baby Reindeer explores his tumultuous relationship with Martha, a fan whose flattery quickly escalates into stalking. Based on Gadd’s own experiences, the series offers a darkly comedic yet poignant examination of abuse, trauma, and the complexities of autofiction, showing the potential for storytelling as a means of healing. (A Netflix Series / A Clerkenwell Films Production)
Fantasmas (HBO | Max)
Julio Torres’s HBO show Fantasmas blends absurdity and humor in a surreal world where the protagonist, Julio, grapples with the need for a “proof of existence” to validate his talent and identity amidst bizarre societal norms. Featuring a talented cast and a satirical take on conformity through its sketch-like structure, the series cleverly critiques everything from bureaucracy to reality TV. (HBO in association with Irony Point, Fruit Tree, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Space Prince Inc.)
Mr Bates vs The Post Office (PBS/MASTERPIECE)
In Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Toby Jones portrays Alan Bates, a seemingly ordinary subpostmaster unjustly accused by the British government of theft due to faulty software, showcasing his resilience and determination to fight for justice. The miniseries expands from Bates’ individual struggle to expose a broader conspiracy, revealing the government’s prioritization of corporate interests over citizen welfare. (A Co-Production of ITV Studios, Little Gem, and MASTERPIECE for ITV)
Ripley (Netflix)
Ripley creator Steven Zaillian employs a stark black-and-white aesthetic to explore the moral complexities and deceptions inherent in human nature, focusing on the sociopathy of the titular character, masterfully portrayed by Andrew Scott. This adaptation stands out among previous versions of Patricia Highsmith’s novel by integrating an unexpected connection to 16th-century painter Caravaggio, capturing the mid-century sensibility of Highsmith’s work and offering a visual portrayal of grifting as a consequence of the American dream. (Showtime and Endemol Shine North America in association with Entertainment 360 and Filmrights for Netflix)
Say Nothing (FX/Hulu)
Say Nothing is a nine-episode limited series that chronicles the Northern Ireland conflict known as “The Troubles,” focusing on the abduction and murder of Jean McConville by the Provisional Irish Republican Army in 1972. The series weaves together multiple narratives, including the stories of the Price sisters and Gerry Adams, exploring the deep social impacts of political radicalism, secrecy, and the emotional aftermath of violence. (FX Productions)
Shōgun (FX/Hulu)
FX’s reimagining of Shōgun, which adapts James Clavell’s novel, shifts the focus from the English navigator John Blackthorne to the rich narratives of its Japanese characters, particularly Lord Toranaga and Lady Mariko, thereby challenging the original’s white-savior narrative. This innovative approach results in a captivating and complex epic primarily in Japanese, a remarkable example of global collaboration and storytelling prowess. (FX Productions)
We Are Lady Parts (Peacock)
We Are Lady Parts returns just as brilliantly in its second season, using the story of an all-female, all-Muslim British punk band to explore the nuanced challenges of maintaining authenticity while navigating success. With sharp wit, bold music, and intimate character portrayals, the show breaks stereotypes and offers a rare, multifaceted depiction of Muslim women unlike most representations in Western media. (Working Title Television, which is a part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group)
1000xRESIST
1000xResist is a narrative adventure game set a thousand years in the future, focusing on themes of time, memory, and intergenerational trauma as it explores the aftermath of the 2019 Hong Kong demonstrations. Players, taking on the role of Watcher, delve into the memories of Iris the ALLMOTHER and her clones to confront the unsettling truths of their society, ultimately prompting reflection on the past and the future. (sunset visitor 斜陽過客 and Fellow Traveller)
Inside the Deadly Maui Inferno, Hour by Hour
After the devastating wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, in August 2023, which resulted in at least 99 fatalities, The New York Times produced this in-depth report, showcasing innovative storytelling and investigative journalism. The comprehensive account combines more than 400 resident and tourist videos, interviews, and thorough analysis to reveal the failures that led to the disaster. (The New York Times)
One Day in Gaza | Close Up
Al Jazeera English’s One Day in Gaza | Close Up is a powerful social video capturing life in a besieged city through the phone cameras of Palestinian citizens, showing both daily resilience and the devastating impact of conflict. By empowering locals to tell their own stories when traditional journalism was restricted, the film offers an intimate, essential perspective. (Al Jazeera Digital)
What Does Racial Bias in Medicine Look Like?
Social media is flooded with health misinformation, particularly affecting people of color, as highlighted by “medical mythbuster” Dr. Joel Bervell. Through concise videos on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, he exposes racial bias in medical practices and algorithms, aiming to educate both healthcare professionals and patients. (Dr. Joel Bervell)
Confronting Hate (WTVF – TV)
Phil Williams of WTVF-NewsChannel 5 conducted extensive investigations into the rise of right-wing extremism in Tennessee, uncovering the influence of neo-Nazis and white Christian nationalists, all while facing targeted harassment online. His impactful reporting not only highlighted a pressing issue in American politics but also led to a state investigation into a local police official promoting conspiracy theories. (WTVF-TV)
Policing Phoenix (ABC15 Arizona (KNXV-TV))
ABC 15 Arizona conducted a groundbreaking investigation into the Phoenix Police Department’s brutal treatment of Black Lives Matter protestors, resulting in the dismissal of 39 felony cases and triggering a three-year U.S. Department of Justice investigation. Following up with a detailed 32-part series on the DOJ’s final report, the journalists provided critical context and additional evidence of police misconduct. (ABC15 Arizona (KNXV-TV))
Surviving Nova (VICE TV)
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a deadly attack on the all-night Nova music festival in Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and the taking of more than 200 hostages, which sparked a brutal siege of Gaza. The documentary Surviving Nova by VICE News captures the chilling events through smartphone footage and survivor testimonies, exploring the deep emotions and varied reactions of those affected. (VICE News)
The Night Won’t End (Fault Lines / Al Jazeera English / Television)
Al Jazeera’s The Night Won’t End highlights the harrowing experiences of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, documenting the relentless attacks on civilians by the Israeli military using U.S.-provided weaponry. By following three families and collaborating with organizations such as Airwars and Forensic Architecture, the broadcast provides comprehensive evidence that underscores the absence of “safe zones” in Gaza while holding America accountable for its complicity. (Al Jazeera English)
Blindspot: The Plague in the Shadows
This powerful podcast reframes the AIDS crisis as a widespread, deeply interconnected struggle too often ignored by mainstream society. Through six episodes filled with firsthand accounts, it highlights the resilience and solidarity that emerged in the absence of national leadership. (WNYC and The History Channel)
In the Dark: The Killings in Haditha
In the Dark: The Killings in Haditha delves into the tragic 2005 massacre in which U.S. marines killed numerous Iraqi civilians in Haditha, revealing the profound anguish of the victims’ families and the lack of accountability from the American government. Through nine meticulously researched episodes, reporter Madeleine Baran and her team uncover the dismissive and revealing responses from military officials, highlighting the damaging impact of the U.S. wars on terror. (The New Yorker)
Pulse: The Untold Story
The 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, initially portrayed in the media as a hate crime driven by shooter Omar Mateen’s struggles with his sexuality, is revealed by reporter Trevor Aaronson to be instead a crime that stemmed from his opposition to U.S. military actions in Iraq and Syria. Through extensive investigation, Aaronson uncovers how the FBI’s narrative shaped public perception and obscured its own failures, leading to critical questions about institutional accountability and the politicization of memory. (Trevor Aaronson, Western Sound, and Audible)
Yousef, Youmna, Banias, and Majd: Four Lives in Gaza
Chana Joffe-Walt’s collection of stories for This American Life emphasizes the individual human experiences often overshadowed by the statistics surrounding the Gaza conflict, focusing on the personal struggles of people like aid worker Yousef Hammash and reporter Youmna El Sayed. Through intimate phone conversations, Joffe-Walt captures their raw vulnerability and resilience, witnessing and conveying the realities of life in a war-torn region. (This American Life)
The Only Doctor (Reel South / PBS)
The Only Doctor profiles Dr. Karen Kinsell, who runs the sole medical clinic in impoverished Clay County, Georgia, highlighting the stark health care disparities in one of the wealthiest countries. Documentarian Matthew Hashiguchi captures her commitment to treating uninsured patients, while also critiquing the profit-driven health care system that threatens her clinic’s existence. (Reel South, BellaFran Productions, PBS North Carolina, South Carolina ETV, Louisiana Public Broadcasting)
Bruce Springsteen: Backstage and Backstreets, produced by ABC News Studios, was nominated for outstanding arts, culture or entertainment coverage at the 2025 News & Documentary Emmy Awards. The nominations were announced on Thursday (May 1).
Springsteen has been nominated for three Primetime Emmys, but has yet to win. He was nominated for outstanding variety, music or comedy special for Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band (HBO, 2001), outstanding special class – short-form live action entertainment program for Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band Super Bowl Halftime Show (NBC, 2009) and outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) for Springsteen on Broadway (Netflix, 2019).
Springsteen has won 20 Grammys and an Oscar. He received a Special (honorary) Tony Award in 2018 to honor his show Springsteen on Broadway, which played in 2017-18 and again in 2021.
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Celine’s Story, an NBC News special with Hoda Kotb, Celine Dion’s first TV interview after being diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, is nominated for outstanding edited interview.
As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial is nominated for outstanding arts and culture documentary. In the doc, which premiered on Paramount+ in February 2024, Killer Mike sat down with rapper Kemba to delve deeper into the criminalization of lyrics in hip-hop.
The 46th annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards honor programming that originally premiered in calendar year 2024. The 2,200 submissions were judged by a pool of more than 980 peer professionals from across the television and streaming/digital media news and documentary industry.
The 46th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards will be presented live at the Palladium Times Square in New York City, and will be streamed live on The Emmys website and via The Emmys apps for iOS, tvOS, Android, FireTV and Roku.
The awards will be presented in two ceremonies:
News ceremony – Wednesday, June 25, at 7 p.m. ET
Documentary ceremony – Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m. ET
Here are the nominees in categories most relevant to the music community. The complete list of nominees is available on The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ website:
Outstanding arts, culture or entertainment coverage
10 Million Names, ABC News Live, ABC
Bruce Springsteen: Backstage and Backstreets, ABC News Studios, ABC
“Finding His Voice,” CBS Sunday Morning, CBS
“Illegal Gambling,” Trafficked: Underworlds with Mariana van Zeller, National Geographic [Muck Media]
“The Last Heroes of Normandy,” ABC World News Tonight With David Muir and Nightline, ABC
“Netflix Is Betting Big on Latin America,” The Circuit With Emily Chang, Bloomberg
Outstanding arts and culture documentary
As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial, Paramount+ [MTV Entertainment Studios, District 33, Park Pictures, Strike Anywhere]
Butterfly in the Sky, Netflix [Sidestilt Films, Window Pictures, XTR]
Hollywood Black, MGM+ [Radical Media, Culture Machine, Significant Productions]
King Coal, POV, PBS [Narrow Vision Endeavors, Cottage M, Drexler Films, King Coal Productions LLC, Fishbowl Films]
Madu, Disney + [Disney Branded Television, Hunting Lane Films]
Outstanding edited interview
“Celine’s Story: An NBC News Special with Hoda Kotb,” NBC News Special Report, NBC News
“The Democratic Ticket,” 60 Minutes, CBS News
“Ketanji Brown Jackson,” CBS Sunday Morning, CBS
“Pope Francis,” 60 Minutes, CBS News
“Prisoner in Russia: The Brittney Griner Interview,” 20/20, ABC
Outstanding music composition – documentary
Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story, National Geographic [Silverback Films]
“Dan Winters: Life is Once. Forever,” Photographer, National Geographic [Little Monster Films]
Endurance, National Geographic [A Little Dot Studios, Consequential, History Hit Production, Little Monster Films, National Geographic Documentary Films]
Frida, Prime Video [Imagine Documentaries, TIME Studios]
Mafia Spies, Paramount+ [CreativeChaos vmg]
The 2025 ACM Awards will open with 12 straight minutes of music highlighting ACM Award-winning Songs of the Year from across six decades. The segment will feature Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes and Sugarland.
Four of those artists popularized songs that won ACM Awards for song of the year, so you’re very likely to hear these songs in that medley – Dan + Shay’s “Tequila,” The Judds’ “Why Not Me,” Rimes’ “Blue” and Sugarland’s “Stay.”
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The show will also feature collaborative performances by Jelly Roll & Shaboozey; Backstreet Boys & Rascal Flatts; and Brooks & Dunn with Cody Johnson. Jelly and Shaboozey performed together at last weekend’s Stagecoach Festival in Indio, Calif. Backstreet Boys were also on the bill for the three-day festival.
Megan Moroney, the ACM’s 2024 winner for new female artist of the year, will also join this year’s star-packed show.
Hosted by 16-time ACM Award-winner McEntire, the 60th ACM Awards will stream live for a global audience on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch on Thursday, May 8 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The show will be expanded from two to two-and-a-half hours.
This will be the 18th time McEntire has hosted or co-hosted the ACM Awards. She first co-hosted the show in 1986 with John Schneider and the late Mac Davis. McEntire is fast closing in on Bob Hope’s record as the most frequent host of any major awards show. Hope hosted or co-hosted the Oscars 19 times between 1940 and 1978.
Previously announced performers are Alan Jackson, Chris Stapleton, Blake Shelton, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert, as well as Ella Langley and Zach Top, who were announced last week as the winners of new female and male artist of the year.
The ACM have not yet announced whether The Red Clay Strays, the winner of the ACM Award for new duo/group of the year, will perform, but it would be a good bet.
Raj Kapoor is executive producer and showrunner of the 2025 ACM Awards, with Patrick Menton as co-executive producer. Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for Dick Clark Productions. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Kapoor is among the most successful executive producers in TV. He has served in that capacity on the last four Grammy telecasts (alongside Ben Winston and Jesse Collins) and the last two Oscar telecasts (alongside Katy Mullan).
This year’s show is presented by Carnival Cruise Line. A limited number of tickets to the show are available for purchase on SeatGeek.
Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running country music awards show. The ACMs made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video.
The ACM Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.