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- When and where to watch the Soul Train Awards this Thanksgiving weekend
- What’s new: a streamlined, performance-driven format
- Partners and leadership: who’s behind the revival
- Streaming and audience reach: why Spotify’s role matters
- A brief history: Soul Train’s roots and the road to Chicago
- Recent timeline and leadership changes behind the scenes
- Hosts, performers and legacy figures expected to be part of the night
- Corporate messaging and cultural positioning
The Soul Train Awards are officially making a comeback, and their return has a strong sense of homecoming. After a multi-year pause, the ceremony will be staged in Chicago, reconnecting the brand with the city where Don Cornelius launched the original Soul Train in 1971. Fans, artists and industry insiders are already buzzing about what the revived show will look like.
When and where to watch the Soul Train Awards this Thanksgiving weekend
The revived awards are scheduled for Friday evening, November 27, at 8 PM. The telecast will reach viewers on multiple cable and broadcast outlets, broadening access beyond the usual platforms.
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- BET will air the show on its flagship channel.
- Paramount’s cable family will carry it on VH1, MTV2, Logo, and BET Her.
- For the first time, the ceremony will also be carried on the CBS broadcast network.
- Spotify holds an exclusive streaming arrangement tied to the event.
What’s new: a streamlined, performance-driven format
Organizers say the show has been redesigned to feel current and energetic. The new format compresses the program into two hours and focuses on high-impact moments.
- Honors will center on four to five major musical icons.
- There will be marquee live performances from key R&B and soul artists.
- Fans will have a voice through two fan-voted categories.
The aim is to bridge the legacy of soul with today’s artists while keeping the broadcast tight and dynamic.
Partners and leadership: who’s behind the revival
The relaunch is backed by corporate partners that want to align themselves with the culture and reach of the ceremony.
- Spotify is presenting the awards under an exclusive streaming pact.
- Toyota is a presenting partner, tying its marketing to the show.
- BET is producing and distributing the telecast across its channels and partners.
Connie Orlando, BET’s executive vice president, framed the relaunch as both nostalgic and forward-looking. BET president Louis Carr emphasized the symbolic value of bringing the awards back to Chicago.
Streaming and audience reach: why Spotify’s role matters
Spotify’s involvement goes beyond branding. The platform plans to amplify the show’s impact through curated content and artist programming before and after the broadcast.
Joe Hadley, who oversees music content and partnerships at Spotify, described the move as an effort to connect culture and audience, helping artists extend their reach globally.
A brief history: Soul Train’s roots and the road to Chicago
Soul Train began as a television showcase in 1971 and quickly became a cultural touchstone for Black music. Over the decades, the awards evolved into a high-profile ceremony that both honored and shaped R&B and soul music.
- The first awards show featured hosts from the era’s leading R&B figures.
- From 1987 until 2007, Los Angeles was a frequent venue for the ceremony.
- Since then, the event has moved among cities such as Atlanta, Las Vegas, and New York.
Recording the awards in Chicago marks a symbolic return to the brand’s origins. Despite the show’s history of traveling, this will be its first time filmed in Chicago for the awards broadcast itself.
Recent timeline and leadership changes behind the scenes
The awards hiatus followed the last ceremony in 2023. Leadership shifts at BET played a role in the temporary suspension.
- 2023: The most recent Soul Train Awards ceremony was staged and hosted.
- Afterward, executives announced a pause in the awards’ production.
- The former head of BET, who had overseen the suspension, exited the company the following year.
Now, new partnerships and fresh leadership have aligned to bring the show back into production.
Hosts, performers and legacy figures expected to be part of the night
While final hosts and performers haven’t all been announced, the ceremony has a long track record of drawing iconic talent.
- Past hosts have included leading voices in R&B and hip-hop.
- Previous award nights featured major performances that influenced trends in Black music.
- The new edition promises marquee sets and tributes to artists who built the genre.
Expect a mix of legacy honors and spotlight moments for contemporary stars.
Corporate messaging and cultural positioning
Both Spotify and Toyota framed their involvement as a cultural commitment. The brands are highlighting the ceremony’s historical importance while investing in its modern relevance.
Executives from the sponsors spoke about honoring legacy and creating platforms for artists to connect with fans worldwide.
