Grammy Awards Prepare for Changes Ahead of Star-Studded Music Nominations Reveal
Anticipation is growing as the music industry prepares to recognize another year of remarkable performances and achievements. Some artists are hoping to earn their first Grammy nomination, while established stars are looking to add another trophy to their collections. Fans will soon discover which songs and albums have impressed the industry's voting members. This year's celebrations also promise something different, with a new broadcast home, an earlier ceremony and a special announcement from New York City.
Star-Studded Presenters Lead Nominations Reveal
Olivia Dean knows what it feels like to hear her name called at the Grammys. After winning Best New Artist in February 2026, the British singer is returning to the spotlight, this time helping announce the nominees for next year's ceremony. Joining her on November 16 are Kehlani, Pharrell Williams, Juanes, David Guetta, Carly Pearce, Herbie Hancock, YUNGBLUD and Ziggy Marley.
Several other familiar faces will participate, including Alan Menken, Amy Allen, Renée Fleming, Linda Perry and Israel Houghton. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and board chair Dr. Chelsey Green will also attend. There's an interesting possibility here. Dean could receive nominations for Album, Record and Song of the Year, while Kehlani may earn recognition for her self-titled album after winning two Grammys earlier this year.
Live Presentation Moves to Times Square
New York City's Times Square is accustomed to major celebrations, but November 16 will bring something new. For the first time, the Grammy nominations presentation will broadcast live from The Square in Times Square, with Hilton sponsoring the occasion. Music fans can tune in at 7:45 a.m. ET or 4:45 a.m. PT through the Recording Academy's official website and YouTube channel. Good Morning America will also provide special coverage.
By approximately 9 a.m. ET, the complete nominations list covering 100 categories should be available online, alongside a wrap-up presentation. Nearly 16,000 eligible Recording Academy voting members, including musicians, songwriters, producers and engineers, help determine the nominees and winners.
Five New Categories Expand Eligibility
Competition is expanding this year, opening additional opportunities for musicians working across different genres. Five new Grammy categories will recognize Asian pop performances, Latin songwriting, R\&B collaborations, traditional folk albums and traditional pop vocals.
K-pop artists, for example, will have a dedicated category recognizing Asian pop performances, alongside eligible J-pop and C-pop recordings. Such additions could introduce American audiences to musicians they haven't previously encountered, while giving established performers another opportunity for recognition.
Early Airtime and Broadcast Move to ABC/Disney+
Once the nominations are announced, attention will turn toward Los Angeles, where the 69th Grammy Awards take place on February 7, 2027. The Los Angeles arena will again welcome the industry's biggest names, although viewers at home will notice two important differences.
ABC replaces CBS as the ceremony's broadcaster, with Disney+ and Hulu offering livestreams. More importantly for East Coast audiences, the show begins at 7 p.m. ET or 4 p.m. PT, an hour earlier than before. Following a similar decision by the Oscars in 2024, the change could allow more Americans to watch the biggest awards without staying awake until midnight.
"2027 is going to be an amazing year for the Grammy Awards, and one of the things we're most proud of is our continuous effort to listen to the music community and evolve our awards process to accurately reflect the vibrant, global landscape of music today. The changes advanced by our Recording Academy Board of Trustees represent our commitment to honoring a wider array of artistic voices and ensuring our membership and awards remain dynamic, inclusive, and representative."
