The 2024 CMA Awards won the night in viewers but still lost viewers compared to 2023’s show.
The 2024 CMA Awards were held Wednesday night (November 20) and aired on ABC. Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning returned for the third time to host the show alongside first-time host Lainey Wilson.
The 58th Annual CMA Awards included performances from Chris Stapleton and Post Malone, Thomas Rhett and Teddy Swims, Ashley McBryde, Kacey Musgraves, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Shaboozey, Kacey Musgraves, Cody Johnson (and Carrie Underwood!), Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan, Brooks & Dunn and Jelly Roll, Ella Langley, and Riley Green, and more!
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The tribute to George Strait from Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, and Chris Stapleton was a huge highlight. Strait even joined Stapleton for their new duet “Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame.”
Morgan Wallen, who was not in attendance, won Entertainer of the Year, while Lainey Wilson and Chris Stapleton won Female and Male Vocalist of the Year, respectively.
Megan Moroney was named the Best New Artist, Riley Green and Ella Langley took hom Musical Event of the Year, and Wilson received another CMA Award when “Wild Flowers and Wild Horses” won Video of the Year. Chris Stapleton also won for both Song of the Year and Single of the Year for “White Horse.” Cody Johnson took home his first-ever CMA Award for Album of the Year.
Brooks & Dunn took home Vocal Duo of the Year for the first time since 2006, and Old Dominion made history with their seventh straight Vocal Group of the Year.
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Over 6 Million People Tuned Into The CMA Awards This Year
According to Programming Insider, the CMA Awards had 6.082 million viewers, becoming the most-watched program on network television Wednesday (Nov 20) night.
NBC’s programming at the same time attracted 5.3 million viewers, followed by Fox News with 3.3 million.
Despite winning the night in ratings, this year’s award show actually decreased in viewership from previous years. The 2023 broadcast attracted 6.6 million viewers, 2022’s show had 7.57 million sets of eyes, while 6.83 million tuned in in 2021.
Due to the overall decrease in television watching, we bet the CMA will still consider this a win.