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The 48th annual “Kennedy Center Honors,” celebrating a lifetime of achievement in the American performing arts, will air Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS.
Cord cutters can watch live on streaming services such as Fubo (Free Trial) and DIRECTV (Free Trial).
Where to watch ‘Kennedy Center Honors’ 2025 for free
Viewers without cable can watch live with free trials of streaming services such as Fubo and DIRECTVboth of which include CBS in many local markets. Trial versions allow viewers to stream the ceremony for free.
The ceremony will also be streamed Paramount+. Premium subscribers can watch the show live through their local CBS affiliate, while Essential users can stream the awards on demand starting the day after the broadcast.
What are the differences between streaming services?
Fubo – Fubo offers one of the widest selections of channels among live TV streaming services. Over 220 channels, including all the sports and entertainment you love, plus sports extras for those specialty networks you rely on, and it all starts free trial and up to $30 off first month of service.
Fubo
Free trial version
Stream College Sports! with Fubo and enjoy up to $30 off your first month.
DIRECTV – Watch live TV from major broadcast and popular cable networks. Enjoy local and national live sports, breaking news and must-see shows as soon as they air. Included: unlimited DVR cloud storage so you can record as many shows as you want and stream them from anywhere. DTV starts as low as $19.99 per month after a 5-day free trial when you purchase their customizable genre packs.
DIRECTV
5-day free trial
Get up to $40 off your first month and enjoy local and national live sports, breaking news and must-see shows.
Who is honored
The 2025 recipients include country music icon George Strait, disco legend Gloria Gaynor, rock band KISS, actor and filmmaker Sylvester Stallone and stage and screen artist Michael Crawford.
Who is the host
President Donald Trump is hosting this year’s ceremony — the first time a US president has served as the Kennedy Center Honors host.
Trump previously did not attend the ceremony during his first term, but has been active in the event since returning to office. He personally announced this year’s awardees and said that he was significantly involved in the selection process.
Kennedy Center name change
This year’s honors come amid controversial changes at the institution. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center after a board vote. The decision drew criticism from some lawmakers, board members and members of the Kennedy family, who say federal law governs the center’s name and monument status.
President Trump, who now serves as the center’s chairman, also replaced the board and pledged to renovate the building and rebuild its programming, according to agency reports NPR.
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