Why Are the 2025 CMT Music Awards Canceled? Reason Explained
One of country music’s biggest nights of the year won’t be happening in 2025. The CMT Music Awards have been canceled, and fans are wondering why.
Why Are the 2025 CMT Music Awards Canceled?
Paramount made the decision to cancel the 2025 CMT Music Awards due to an upcoming merger. The Hollywood Reporter reported on February 7, 2025, that Paramount Global is planning on merging with Skydance Media in the coming months and the company has pressed pause on several events. Paramount Global wants “to reimagine what they might look like in the future and optimize its tentpole strategy,” according to the outlet.
What Other Awards Shows Has Paramount Canceled for 2025?
The CMT Music Awards aren’t the only casualties of Paramount’s shake-up. Along with the country music event, the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Mexico, the MTV MIAWs, (formerly known as the MTV Millennial Awards) an event that celebrates Latin music and pop culture, and the MTV Europe Music Awards have also been canceled for 2025.
However, some major events—like MTV’s Video Music Awards (VMAs) and the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards (U.S.)—are still scheduled to take place.
Bruce Gillmer, Paramount’s president of music, music talent, programming, and events, confirmed the news in an internal memo obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
“We are pausing a few events for 2025 as we look to reimagine and optimize our events slate going forward. These include the MTV EMAs, MTV MIAWs, Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in Mexico, and CMT Music Awards,” the statement read. “Our world-class events remain a key component of Paramount’s music offering as we continue to raise the bar in delivering iconic, unforgettable performances and moments that drive pop culture. We have the best team in the business, and we are grateful for your hard work and dedication in bringing these events to life.”
With the entertainment giant focusing on cost-cutting and restructuring, it remains to be seen whether this is just a temporary pause—or a permanent goodbye.
Paramount’s Financial Struggles and Mass Layoffs
News of the CMT Music Awards cancellation in 2025 came on the heels of news in 2024 that Paramount was reducing the size of the company’s workforce. In August 2024, Variety reported that “the company announced a massive operating loss on a $5.98 billion write-down on the value of its cable TV networks,” and stated that Paramount had made the decision to lay off approximately 2,000 of the company’s employees in an effort to save money.
Paramount CFO Naveen Chopra expected the layoffs to result in a $300-$400 million restructuring charge ahead of the merger with Skydance Media. The head of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks, Chris Gardner said that the layoffs would be “primarily in marketing and communications departments” as well as “some right-sizing in other areas including legal, finance and other corporate functions,” per the outlet.
In December 2024, Paramount TV Studios closed and with it, several shows were removed from the popular streaming platform. Deadline reported series that were cut included Kung-Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, The Penguins of Madagascar, Big Time Rush and more.