The hottest names in country music are about to descend on Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for an evening of rousing awards speeches and electrifying performances, including one from “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” star Shaboozey. So, tune in for “Country Music’s Biggest Night” and join in the fun absolutely *free* with our guide below, explaining how to watch CMA Awards 2025 online and from anywhere with a VPN.
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Release date: Wednesday, November 19 (US) | Thursday, November 20 (UK) |
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Free stream: BBC iPlayer (UK) |
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International viewing options: ABC / Hulu (US) | Crave (CA) | Stan (AU) |
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Use NordVPN to watch any stream |
Wilson is back in the saddle for her second time as host. The nine-time CMA Award winner, up for her fourth consecutive Female Vocalist of The Year award, will welcome both country legends like Vince Gill and chart-topping newcomers to the stage as the CMA honors the year’s best country music stars.
And y’all, they’re going to blow the roof off Bridgestone Arena. Not only are Wilson, Ella Langley, and Megan Moroney leading with a joint six nominations (vying in categories including Song, Video, and Single of the Year), but they’ll take to the stage to perform alongside Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Shaboozey, and many more, while incredible guest presenters like comedy legend Steve Martin, Billy Bob Thornton, and the cast of 9-1-1: Nashville will step up to the mic.
So, get ready to whoop and holler as we explain how to watch CMA Awards 2025, no matter where you’re located and potentially for free.
Can you watch CMA Awards 2025 free online?
Those in the UK can watch the CMA Awards 2025 on Thursday, November 20 and absolutely FREE on BBC iPlayer. However, a quick caveat is that you’ll need a TV license to stream content live or on-demand.
US viewers new to Hulu can utilize its 30-day free trial to catch the awards ceremony, while Aussies will want to access 9Now – although it won’t air Down Under until mid-December. But if you’re out of the country, use a VPN as detailed below to access your home services while abroad.
Unblock any stream with a VPN
If you’re hoping to watch the CMA Awards 2025 but you’re away from home and access to the ceremony is geo-blocked, then you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you’re not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.
Use a VPN to watch CMA Awards 2025 from anywhere
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Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three…
1. Download and install a VPN – as we say, our top choice is NordVPN
2. Connect to the appropriate server location – open the VPN app, hit ‘choose location’ and select the appropriate geographical location
3. Go to the broadcaster’s live stream – so, in this case, just head to BBC iPlayer
Stream CMA Awards 2025 around the world
How to watch CMA Awards 2025 online free in the UK
Yee-ha! UK country music fans can watch CMA Awards 2025 on BBC iPlayer and absolutely free – though you’ll need a valid TV license.
It’s due to air simultaneously with its US broadcast, which means you can watch it live on Thursday, November 20 from 2am GMT. If that’s too early, don’t fret: it’ll be uploaded to iPlayer to watch on-demand any time.
iPlayer is compatible with a huge array of devices, including laptops, tablets, smartphones, media streaming devices like Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Chromecast and Roku, and PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
Outside the UK? Brits who want to watch the CMA Awards on BBC iPlayer whilst abroad will need to download NordVPN, as detailed below.
How to watch CMA Awards 2025 online in the US
We’re back in Nashville for the CMA Awards 2025, which US viewers can watch live on ABC on Wednesday, November 19, and from 8pm ET / 5pm PT / 7pm CT. The star-studded event is three-hours long, and will be uploaded to Hulu to stream the very next day.
Don’t have a Hulu subscription? Plans start at $11.99 a month for the ad-supported, on-demand offering, with new subscribers able to enjoy the service’s generous 30-day Hulu free trial. There’s a range of other Hulu plans and prices, though, including Hulu plus Live TV and a range of bundle options.
How to watch CMA Awards 2025 online in Canada
Those with cable should tune in to CTV2 for the 59th CMA Awards on November 19 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT / 7pm CT, airing in sync with its US debut. If you have cable, you can log in to CTV.ca and stream the show through a mobile device, or alternatively, Canadians can purchase a Crave subscription (from CA$11.99 a month) and watch CMA Awards 2025 online the following day.
A UK national traveling in Canada? You can use a VPN to appear back home and unblock BBC iPlayer, meaning you can watch the show no matter where you’re located. We recommend NordVPN
How to watch CMA Awards 2025 online in Australia
Stan is Aussies first port of call when it comes to watching this year’s CMA Awards. The streamer will broadcast the country music event live on Thursday, November 20 at 12pm AEDT.
It no longer offers a free trial. However, if you can wait about three weeks, then the 2025 CMAs will get a delayed broadcast on Channel Nine this December 14, in addition to free, ad-supported streamer 9Now.
Looking for your free stream? Brits who’ve left the UK can use a VPN to access BBC iPlayer and watch the CMA Awards 2025 free from abroad.
CMA Awards 2025 Need To Know
CMA Awards 2025 trailer
Nominees for the CMA Awards 2025
There are thirteen categories in total at this year’s CMA Awards. A select few along with the nominees can be found below. The full list is available here:
Entertainer of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
Album of the Year
- Am I Okay? — Megan Moroney
- Cold Beer & Country Music — Zach Top
- F-1 Trillion — Post Malone
- I’m the Problem — Morgan Wallen
- Whirlwind — Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
- Morgan Wallen
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
Vocalist Group of the Year
- Lady A
- Little Big Town
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays
Song of the Year
- “4x4xU” — Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
- “Am I Okay?” — Megan Moroney, Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird
- “I Never Lie” — Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
- “Texas” — Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Kyle Sturrock, Lalo Guzman
- “You Look Like You Love Me” — Aaron Raitiere, Ella Langley, Riley Green
New Artist of the Year
- Ella Langley
- Shaboozey
- Zach Top
- Tucker Wetmore
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
Who are the CMA Awards 2025 guest presenters?
Bridgestone Arena will welcome a smorgasbord of A-list to the CMA Awards podium. These include Hollywood star Steve Martin, Oscar-nominated actor Billy Bob Thornton, noughties R&B hit-maker NE-YO, Elizabeth Hurley, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Bailey Zimmerman, in addition to Reacher’s Alan Ritchson, stand-up comic Cody Johnson, Tell Me Lies actress Grace Van Patten, and the stars of 9-1-1: Nashville, among many others.
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