Technology

How to watch the Grammys this weekend without cable

The Grammys ad with Grammy trophy on purple gradient background

The best ways to watch the Grammys at a glance:

BEST FOR WATCHING LIVE
Paramount+ with Showtime

One month free with code JUNE (save $ 11.99)

Paramount+ and Showtime logos side by side


RUNNER-UP FOR WATCHING LIVE
YouTube TV

7-day free trial, then $ 62.99/month

YouTube TV logo


BEST FOR ON-DEMAND VIEWING
Paramount+ Essential

7-day trial, then $ 5.99/month

Paramount+ logo

It’s that time again: the 66th annual Grammy Awards are happening this weekend at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Hosted by Trevor Noah for the fourth year in a row, it’s sure to be a talent-packed night full of epic performances, outfits, and of course, winners and losers. Here’s what you need to know to tune in live.

When are the Grammys?

The Grammys are set for this Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET. The ceremony is expected to last about 3.5 hours, concluding around 11:30 p.m. ET (so long as those acceptance speeches don’t run over).

What channel are the Grammys on?

CBS broadcast its first Grammy Awards in 1973 and has been the home of the ceremony ever since. Now in its 66th year, this marks 51 years of the Grammys on CBS. In the streaming age, of course, CBS’ streaming sibling Paramount+ will also simulcast the awards show via its Paramount+ with Showtime tier.

How to watch the Grammys live without cable

If you cut the cord on cable and don’t have access to the CBS network, don’t fret. You can still tune in live in the streaming age — and maybe even for free. We’ve rounded up your best options for catching the Grammys action without cable.

Best option for watching live: Paramount+ with Showtime free trial

Paramount+ and Showtime logos side by side

Credit: Paramount+ with Showtime

Paramount+ with Showtime

One month free with code JUNE (save $ 11.99)

The Grammys will be streaming live on Paramount+ with Showtime (the more expensive tier) simultaneously to the broadcast on CBS. Usually, you’d have to pay $ 11.99 per month for a subscription to the top tier, but for a limited time, you can use the code JUNE to get 30 days of Paramount+ with Showtime for free. That means you can watch the Grammys as they happen live and stick around for the month to stream the biggest football game of the year (ahem), plus all of the shows and movies you can find on Showtime (including the recently-released The Woman In the Wall and The Curse). If you’ve subscribed to Paramount+ with Showtime before, there’s a good chance you’ll be shut out of this trial offer, but it’s worth a shot.

Runner-up for watching live: YouTube TV free trial

YouTube TV logo

Credit: YouTube TV

YouTube TV

7-day free trial, then $ 62.99/month

Don’t qualify for the Paramount+ with Showtime free trial? You can score a YouTube TV free trial (which is typically one week) and get access to your local CBS network to watch the Grammys live. Just be sure to cancel your subscription before the week ends or you’ll be hit with a $ 62.99 blow to your bank account. YouTube TV is more of a cable replacement than a streaming service, so you’ll also have access to over 100 other live channels during your subscription period.

Best option for on-demand viewing: Paramount+ Essential monthly subscription

If you don’t qualify for the Paramount+ with Showtime free trial and don’t mind watching the Grammys a day after they air live, you can sign up for Paramount+ Essential for only $ 5.99 and enjoy the on-demand broadcast the next day. If you’re new to the streamer, you’ll also get a seven-day free trial. Of course, you’ll have to dodge spoilers left and right about who wins and loses, but at least you can watch the inevitable viral moments and performances for yourself. As a bonus, you’ll also get access to the biggest football game of the year just a week later with your subscription.

Honorable mentions

  • DirecTV Stream (CBS included in some areas) — 5-day free trial, then $ 69.99/month

  • FuboTV (CBS included in some areas)— 7-day free trial, then $ 79.99/month

Mashable