TV/Film

13 Dec 2023

‘CMA Country Christmas’ 2023: How to Watch Online for Free

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” for country fans as CMA Country Christmas returns for its 14th annual show. Artists and bands from Lainey Wilson to The War & Treaty will perform popular holiday tunes to get you in the holiday spirit.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Mark your calendar for Thursday (Dec. 14) at 8 p.m. ET if you want to catch the livestream of the program on ABC. Don’t have cable? There are a few streaming options for you to choose from including Disney+ and Hulu.

Amy Grant and Trisha Yearwood will not only perform, but take on the role of co-hosts to keep the night going. Whether you’re a country music fan or are looking to hear live performances of songs like “O Holy Night,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and more, then you won’t want to miss tuning into the special.

Keep reading to learn how to watch the 2023 edition.

How to Watch CMA Country Christmas 2023

CMA Country Christmas will premiere on Thursday (Dec. 14) at 8 p.m ET on ABC and the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. If you have cable, you can watch CMA Country Christmas on TV through your local ABC affiliate. Make sure to check your local cable’s channel guide for the exact channel. Don’t have cable? You may be able to catch the livestream of the special through an HD antenna like this one here from Amazon.

For those without cable, ABC can be streamed online via ABC.com. Signing up for free trials of fuboTV, SlingTV or DirecTV Streamwill give you access to ABC. You’ll be able to watch CMA Country Christmas live on TV or stream CMA Country Christmas from your laptop, tablet or smartphonephone.

Fans can also watch CMA Country Christmas online via a Hulu + Live TV. Don’t want to sign-up for Hulu? The streaming service is currently offering a 30-day free trial, which you can use to watch CMA Country Christmas online free.

More Ways to Stream CMA Country Christmas 2023

If you have Hulu or Disney+, both streaming platforms will have the holiday special available to watch online the next day. Just log into your account and you’ll be able to find it under new releases.

For anyone not subscriber to either streamer, Hulu offers the most affordable plan with a 30-day free trial, which means you can watch the program and more for free. After the free trial is over, you’ll be charged the regular membership fee based on the plan you choose. Click here or the button below to start your free trial.

While Disney+ doesn’t offer a free trial, it’s one of the more affordable streamers with plans starting at $7.99/month. For even more savings, you can also bundle Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN+, which will triple your program offerings and if you want live TV channels as well, then you can bundle it with Hulu + Live TV for even more content. Click here or the button below to get Disney+.

Who is Performing at 2023 CMA Country Christmas?

The performers set for 2023 CMA Country Christmas are:

Jordan Davis
Amy Grant
Lady A
Ashley McBryde
Jon Pardi
Lindsey Sterling
The War & Treaty
Zach Williams
Lainey Wilson
Trisha Yearwood

Check below for a sneak peek of CMA Country Christmas.

13 Dec 2023

Post Malone, NewJeans & More Added to Lineup for ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2024’

With 2023 drawing to a close, artists are already looking ahead to what’s on the horizon in 2024. But for this year’s edition of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest, a couple headlining stars want to make sure we properly bid 2023 adieu.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

On Wednesday (Dec. 13), ABC and Dick Clark Productions announced a globe-spanning set of performers — Post Malone, NewJeans and Ivy Queen — who will join the live broadcast of the annual celebration.

Each of the three new performances will take place in remote locations around the globe. Post Malone will bring his signature country-rock sound with a performance of his song “Chemical” from the stage of the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas; NewJeans will make history as the program’s first-ever performance from South Korea with “Super Shy” and “ETA”; and Ivy Queen will heat up the telecast with a yet-undisclosed set from Puerto Rico.

The three latest performers join a star-studded lineup for the evening, including acts such as Green Day, Reneé Rapp, Doechii, Aqua and more. Ryan Seacrest, meanwhile, will serve as the evening’s host for the 19th time, joined by Rita Ora as the pair count down to midnight from New York’s Times Square. Meanwhile, television personality Jeannie Mai is set to ring in the New Year for the show’s Pacific time zone section, while Dayanara Torres will lead the festivities in Puerto Rico.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will air on Sunday, Dec. 31, starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

DCP is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a Penske Media Corporation (PMC) subsidiary and joint venture between PMC and Eldrige. PMC is the parent company of Billboard.)

13 Dec 2023

Oprah Says There Was Pressure to Cast Beyoncé or Rihanna in ‘The Color Purple’

As The Color Purple draws nearer, the film’s star-studded cast and production team are hitting the media circuit to promote their forthcoming movie musical. In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Oprah — who serves alongside Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones as one of the film’s producers — recounted the process of bringing the films to life, including some pressure to cast a star on the level of Beyoncé or Rihanna.

“To be completely honest about it, if you were doing this film for $30 or $40 million, the interest in the cast would be very different. Once the film moved to $90 to $100 million, then everybody wants us to bring Beyoncé,” Oprah said. “‘Can you get Beyoncé or can you get Rihanna?’ So we’re sitting in a room saying, ‘Listen, we love Beyoncé. We love Rihanna, but there are other actors who can do this job.’”

Of course, both Beyoncé (Dreamgirls, Obsessed, Austin Powers in Goldmember) and Rihanna (Ocean’s 8, Battleship, Home) have made plenty of crossovers into the film world, but The Color Purple cast came together without the two music titans. The Blitz Bazawule-helmed picture is led by 2024 Golden Globes nominee Fantasia Barrino, with fellow nominee Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Ciara, H.E.R. and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi rounding out the ensemble.

While Rihanna has been busy with partner A$AP Rocky and their new bundle of joy, Riot Rose, Beyoncé has been dominating theaters on her own. The “Break My Soul” singer recently topped the domestic box office with Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, a documentary concert film that chronicles the creation and execution of Queen Bey’s Billboard 200-topping Renaissance album and its record-breaking world tour.

Clearly, the powers that be were aware that landing Queen Bey would be a tall ask. “I do remember conversations about, ‘Y’all, Beyoncé is going to be busy this year.’ It wasn’t even a negotiation, because you’re not getting Beyoncé,’” Oprah quipped.

The Color Purple is the film adaptation of the 2005 Tony Award-winning stage musical of the same name, which is, in turn, based on the 1982 Alice Walker novel and its accompanying 1985 Oscar-nominated film. On Dec. 15, The Color Purple (Music From and Inspired By) will hit DSPs, featuring original songs from Usher, Alicia Keys, Megan Thee Stallion, Coco Jones, Mary Mary, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole, Black Thought, Jorja Smith and more.

13 Dec 2023

Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins, Morgan Wallen & More Added to ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’

A star-studded assembly of performers has been added to help Nashville count down the minutes to 2024 on New Year’s Eve in the music-spotlighting way that only Nashville provide, as part of the CBS special New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash.

Trace Adkins, Grace Bowers, Kane Brown, Jackson Dean, HARDY, Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Blake Shelton, Trombone Shorty, Morgan Wallen and Bailey Zimmerman are all slated to perform as part of the event, which will air live on Sunday, Dec. 31 (7:30-10 p.m. ET/PT and 10:30 p.m.-1:05 a.m. ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).

They join previously announced performers Old Dominion, Elle King, Thomas Rhett, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Lainey Wilson. Television and radio host Cody Alan and CBS anchor Lonnie Quinn will be corresponding from New York City’s Times Square, along with Dustin Lynch, who will also perform.

The five-hour broadcast will highlight more than 50 performances, all from Music City. Nashville will count down with the East Coast at midnight, and will continue the festivities through midnight Central Time with Nashville’s Music Note Drop on the Bicentennial Mall stage.

New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, is executive produced by Robert Deaton and Mary Hilliard Harrington in partnership with the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. The special will be directed by Sandra Restrepo.

13 Dec 2023

Amy Winehouse Biopic, ‘Back to Black,’ Announces Spring 2024 Release Date

The Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black will hit theaters on May 10, 2024. Focus Features announced on Tuesday (Dec. 12) that the movie directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson (Nowhere Boy) with a script from Matt Greenhalgh (Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool) will offer a “never-before-seen glimpse into Amy Winehouse’s early rise to fame and the release of her groundbreaking studio album, Back to Black. Told from Amy’s perspective, the film is an unapologetic look at the woman behind the phenomenon and the relationship that inspired one of the most legendary albums of all time.”

The movie stars Industry‘s Marisa Abela as Winehouse, along with Jack O’Connell (Ferrari), Eddie Marsan (Fair Play) and Lesley Manville (Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris). Focus noted that the movie was made with the full support of the Universal Music Group, Sony Music Publishing and the Amy Winehouse Estate.

Winehouse rocketed to fame with her 2006 sophomore album, Back to Black, which won five Grammy Awards, including record and song of the year, as well as best new artist, best pop vocal album and best female pop vocal album. That album included the Hot 100 hits “Rehab” and “You Know I’m No Good.” Winehouse, who battled drug and alcohol addiction, died in 2011 at age 27 from alcohol poisoning.

StudioCanal previously announced the international release dates for the film, which include April 12 (UK, Poland), April 18 (Germany, Netherlands), April 24 (France) and April 25 (New Zealand).

A book featuring Winehouse’s handwritten lyrics, photos and personal journals, Amy Winehouse: In Her Words, was released in August, in time for what would have been the singer’s 40th birthday.

12 Dec 2023

Beyoncé’s Father Mathew Knowles’ Memoir to Be Adapted Into Film, TV Series

Mathew Knowles — longtime music manager, entrepreneur and father of Beyoncé and Solange — is bringing his 2017 memoir to the screen, according to his agent, Shawn Scallon at Buchwald.

Knowles has partnered with Say Unkel Entertainment to adapt the book, Racism From the Eyes of a Child, into a feature film as well as a limited series. The feature will cover the first half of the book, which goes into Knowles’ early life in Alabama as one of just six black students to attend an all-white school and his participation in peaceful protests calling for racial equality. It also addresses how the efforts of such figures as Martin Luther King Jr., Albert Turner and Ralph Abernathy helped shape the person he became.

Variety was first to report the news.

Robert Unkel, a former vp of programming at 20th Century Fox, told Variety the script for the feature is complete. Unkel will oversee the development of the project with producer Howard Kazanjian.

Knowles famously managed Destiny’s Child, the girl group featuring Beyoncé that rose to fame in the late 1990s and helped set the stage for her ascent to superstardom the following decade. He managed Beyoncé’s solo career until the two parted ways in 2011. Through his faith-based record label and management company Music World Entertainment, he has also managed such gospel acts as Brian Courtney Wilson, Trin-i-tee 5:7 and Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams. In June, Knowles formed Music World TV, Film & Media, where he serves as CEO.

12 Dec 2023

Zendaya & Timothée Chalamet Share a Kiss in High Intensity ‘Dune: Part Two’ Trailer

While Dune: Part Two will be arriving in the spring instead of its initially scheduled November 2023 release date, the film is keeping fans on their toes with a brand new trailer released on Tuesday (Dec. 12).

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

“Your blood comes from Dukes and Great Houses,” Zendaya’s Chani tells Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides in the two-minute clip. “Here, we’re equal. What we do, we do for the benefit of all.”

“I’d very much like to be equal to you,” Chalamet tells Zendaya before the two share a kiss in a vast desert scene.

Alongside Chalamet and Zendaya, the film also stars Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista and Christopher Walken, among others.

According to the synopsis, the Dennis Villeneuve-directed film was shot on location in Budapest, Abu Dhabi, Jordan and Italy, and “will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”

Dune: Part Two hits theaters on March 1, 2024. Watch the new trailer below.

12 Dec 2023

Jelly Roll, Tyla & Dan + Shay Lead Star-Studded ‘The Voice’ Season 24 Finale Lineup

The Voice sure does know how to go out with a bang! As the reality competition show draws to the close of its 24th season, the Emmy-winning program has announced its star-studded lineup for its finale episode, which is set to air on NBC’s Dec. 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

2024 Grammy nominees Jelly Roll and Tyla are set to take The Voice stage to commemorate the season 24 finale, alongside performances from Earth, Wind & Fire, AJR, Keith Urban and season 25 coaches Dan + Shay. The intergenerational genre-spanning lineup will play a collection of songs that combine major moments in their respective careers, the dominant songs and styles of 2023 and their latest releases.

Jelly Roll, a four-time 2023 Billboard Music Awards finalist, will perform his Grammy-nominated Lainey Wilson-assisted “Save Me,” the second single from his chart-topping album Whitsitt Chapel. Amapiano/Afropop star Tyla will perform “Water,” her breakout single, which recently hit the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 ahead of the release of her forthcoming debut studio album.

Music legends Earth, Wind & Fire will perform a career-spanning medley that previews the band’s upcoming Heart & Soul 2024 Tour, which they are co-headlining with Chicago. Another genre-fusing band, AJR, will perform a medley of its hit single “Bang!” and “Yes I’m a Mess,” which hit No. 28 on Rock Airplay this year.

Keith Urban, a four-time Grammy winner who previously served as a judge on American Idol and a coach on the Australian version of The Voice, will perform “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” his 2016 hit single which ranked at No. 9 on Billboard’s Decade-End U.S. Hot Country Songs (2010-2019). Another superstar country act, Dan + Shay, will grace the stage with a performance of “Bigger Houses,” the title track from their most recent LP.

In addition to these eye-popping guests, The Voice has even more performances in store for the season 24 finale. Season 22 winner Bryce Leatherwood will return to perform “The Finger,” a single from his forthcoming project. Furthermore, this season’s top 12 artists will band together for a special joint performance. In that spirit, this year’s coaching panel — Niall Horan, John Legend, Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani — will join forces for a bubbly rendition of “Let It Snow.”

This season marks the first in which none of the show’s original coaches — Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine and CeeLo Green — from the series’ inaugural season appear on the coaching panel. Shelton departed after last season, which saw One Direction alum Niall Horan emerge victorious.

This week (Dec. 11-12) marks the semifinals for season 24 of The Voice. On Monday (Dec. 11), the remaining contestants each performed a solo song before tackling a few Taylor Swift tunes as trios. The three highlighted T-Swift tracks were “Don’t Blame Me,” “Exile” and “Mean (Taylor’s Version).”

Tune in to NBC on Dec. 19 to see who wins season 24 of The Voice!

12 Dec 2023

‘Eras Tour’ Movie: How to Watch Taylor Swift’s Concert Film Online

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

“It’s been a long time coming,” but Swifties can finally experience the Eras Tour movie at home when it drops onto streamers Wednesday (Dec. 13). Taylor Swift‘s worldwide tour has been breaking records and regardless of if you’ve seen it in person (get last-minute tickets here), you can now watch the concert film at home whenever you want.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Prepare to kick back in your coziest movie outfit as you watch each era of the “Karma” singer’s career. Unlike the film released in theaters though, streamers will be premiering an extended version of the movie that’ll include three more performances of her songs “The Archer,” “Long Live” and “Wildest Dreams.”

Where can you watch the movie online? Fans can buy or rent the movie for $19.89 through Prime Video, Apple TV+, Xfinity, Vudu, Google Play, YouTubeTV and SkyTV Premiere. Rentals will be available for 48 hours.

You won’t need a Prime membership in order to buy or rent the movie, but if you choose AppleTV+ then you will need an Apple TV streaming device and/or a membership with Apple TV+. If you already have a subscription, then just log into your account and you’ll be able to buy or rent the movie when the moment it premieres.

Don’t have a subscription? Apple TV+ offers a 7-day free trial for new users when you sign up, which means you can rent of buy the movie and have access to the entire Apple TV+ library. Once your free trial is up, you’ll be charged the regular subscription fee of $9.99/month. Click here or the button below to snag a free trial now.

Check below to watch the trailer for The Eras Tour (Extended Version).

12 Dec 2023

Watch ‘The Voice’s Top 9 Contestants Cover Taylor Swift Songs

The Voice paid tribute to Taylor Swift on the Monday (Dec. 11) episode, which saw the remaining contestants teaming up in the live semifinals to perform covers of the pop superstar’s songs for a chance to stay in the competition.

Explore

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

The episode spiced things up by making each of the hopefuls perform a solo track and a separate song as trios; the results will be aired on the Tuesday night episode.

Jacquie Roar, Mara Justine and Nini performed “Don’t Blame Me” from Swift’s 2017 album, Reputation. The trio kept its rendition of the track faithful to the original, providing simmering vocals and lush harmonies for the moments in between the verses, when they each took turns adding their unique flair to the performance.

Huntley, Lila Forde and Mac Royals replied with Folklore single “Exile.” Huntley and Mac swapped between the Bon Iver upper and lower register moments, while Forde’s vocals floated over Swift’s vocal parts. The trio performed the track from stools in front of a red window display to complement the moodiness of the song.

BIAS, Jordan Rainer and Ruby Leigh tried a Taylor’s Version track on for size, going for the re-recorded version of Speak Now‘s “Mean.” The team leaned further into the song’s country roots and dialed up the country twang with plucky acoustics, bright vocal riffs and harmonies, and at one point, stepped away from the mic stands for a passionate finish of the track.

Following Tuesday’s results show, The Voice season 24 finale will air next week on Dec. 18 and 19. Watch the top nine finalists covers of Taylor Swift songs below:


https://youtube.com/watch?v=kNJrafAFfBM&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent


https://youtube.com/watch?v=V2ZCzfJHDpE&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent


https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gxo8aq2m4QQ&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent