Honestly, the Grammys are always a bit of a chaotic masterpiece. People act like it’s just another awards show, but if you’ve actually tried to watch Grammys 2025 live without a game plan, you know it’s more like a multi-platform survival exercise. Between the red carpet fashion roasts, the "Premiere Ceremony" that happens while most people are still eating lunch, and the actual telecast, there is a lot to juggle.
We’re looking at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. This year, the whole thing goes down on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. It’s not just about the trophies, though. The 2025 show has taken on a heavy philanthropic vibe, with a big chunk of the energy directed toward helping folks impacted by the recent Los Angeles wildfires.
If you aren't sitting in front of a TV with a cable box, don't worry. You've got options. But those options vary wildly depending on whether you want to see the winners or just the outfits.
How to actually watch Grammys 2025 live without a cable bill
Most people assume they need a 1990s-style cable package to see the main event. You don't. The main telecast airs on CBS at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. If you’re a cord-cutter, your best bet is Paramount+.
There is a catch, though. It’s a bit annoying, but only the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers can stream the show live as it happens. If you’re on the "Essential" plan, you’re basically stuck waiting until the next day to watch it on demand.
Other streaming workarounds
Maybe you don't have Paramount+. That's fine. You can grab a free trial for a few different services to catch the live feed:
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- YouTube TV: They usually offer a 7-day trial. It’s perfect if you just want to watch the ceremony and then cancel before the bill hits.
- Fubo: Another solid choice for live CBS streaming.
- Hulu + Live TV: Works exactly like cable but through your internet.
For the international crowd, things get a bit more localized. In Australia, Stan is usually the go-to spot. In Canada, it’s Paramount+. If you’re in the UK, you’re looking at a 1 a.m. start time on Monday, February 3, and usually, a VPN like NordVPN is the only way to access your home-country streams if you’re traveling.
Don't miss the "Pre-Show" (The Premiere Ceremony)
Here is a pro tip: the televised show only gives out about 10 or 12 awards. The other 80+ categories? They happen earlier in the day at the Grammy Premiere Ceremony.
This starts at 12:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 p.m. ET. You can watch this entirely for free on live.GRAMMY.com or the Recording Academy’s official YouTube channel. This is where the "real" music nerds hang out to see who wins for Best Bluegrass Album or Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package. It's hosted by Justin Tranter this year, and it’s surprisingly fast-paced compared to the main show.
The Red Carpet: Where the real drama lives
Let’s be real. Half the reason anyone wants to watch Grammys 2025 live is to see what Chappell Roan or Billie Eilish decided to wear. The red carpet is a separate beast entirely.
- E! Live from the Red Carpet: This kicks off at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT. It's the classic choice with high-def fashion cams.
- The Official Recording Academy Stream: This one is often better because they get the artists first. It’s hosted by Cassie DiLaura and Taylor Hale. You can find it on YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook starting around 6 p.m. ET.
Who is showing up?
Trevor Noah is back. Again. For the fifth time. He’s basically the face of the Grammys now. He’s safe, he’s funny, and he knows how to handle a room full of egos.
The performer list for 2025 is stacked with the "Main Pop Girls" and a few legends. We're talking:
- Sabrina Carpenter (Expect "Espresso" to be everywhere).
- Chappell Roan (The literal breakout of the year).
- Charli XCX (It's still Brat summer, even in February).
- Kendrick Lamar (Fresh off his "Not Like Us" dominance).
- Billie Eilish.
There is also a massive tribute planned for Quincy Jones. Since he passed away recently, the Academy is pulling out all the stops. Expect John Legend, Stevie Wonder, and Jacob Collier to lead a tribute that will probably run way over time—as Grammy tributes usually do.
Beyoncé vs. The World
You can't talk about the 2025 Grammys without mentioning Beyoncé. She leads the pack with 11 nominations for Cowboy Carter. She is already the most-awarded artist in history, but she’s never won Album of the Year. This is the year people think it might actually happen, though she’s up against Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department and Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n' Sweet.
It’s going to be tense.
Practical steps for your watch party
If you’re planning to host people or just want to make sure your WiFi doesn't die mid-performance, here is what you do.
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Check your login today. Don't be the person resetting their Paramount+ password five minutes after the show starts. Everyone else will be doing the same thing, and the servers might get wonky.
Get the YouTube app ready. If the Paramount+ stream lags—which happens during high-traffic events—keep the Recording Academy’s YouTube page open on your phone as a backup for the red carpet and Premiere Ceremony.
Sync with social media. The Grammys are 50% about the music and 50% about the memes. If you aren't on X (Twitter) or Threads while watching, you're missing half the fun.
Watch for the QR codes. Since this year is a fundraiser for wildfire relief, expect QR codes to pop up on your screen. You can scan those to donate directly to MusiCares, which helps musicians who lost everything in the fires.
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The 2025 Grammys look like they'll be a mix of high-energy pop performances and some really emotional tributes. Whether you're there for the Kendrick/Drake fallout or just to see Taylor Swift in the front row, having your stream sorted early is the only way to actually enjoy it.