According to UPI, the Soul Train Awards will return to television on Nov. 27, airing on BET following a three-year hiatus. The upcoming telecast will tape in Chicago, the original launch city for the iconic music and dance series founded by Don Cornelius in 1971, with a simultaneous broadcast across multiple networks including CBS.
Network Simulcast Details for the Soul Train Awards Return
The revived kudocast marks a major distribution shift for the franchise. The special will air at 8 p.m. on both BET and CBS, representing the first time the Eye network has carried the broadcast. Additional Paramount Skydance cable networks—specifically VH1, MTV2, Logo, and BET Her—will also simulcast the event on Nov. 27.
Jesse Collins Entertainment is back to produce the revived event, maintaining continuity with previous iterations of the franchise. Production leadership features executive producer Connie Orlando alongside Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay.
Did you know? The Soul Train franchise first launched in Chicago in 1971 on independent station WCIU before moving into national syndication, anchoring decades of Black music and culture history.
Behind the Three-Year Pause and Reimagined Format
The awards show aired its last edition in 2023 with a ceremony hosted by Keke Palmer. Following that broadcast, the franchise entered an extended break. In 2025, BET’s then-CEO Scott Mills told Billboard that the company suspended both the Soul Train Awards and the BET Hip-Hop Awards to reimagine them for a changing media landscape, rather than retiring them permanently.
Connie Orlando, exec VP of specials, music programming and music strategy at BET, said that the 2026 return features a bold new format. The redesigned production aims to honor foundational artists while shifting focus toward contemporary musicians shaping the R&B and soul genres.
Chicago Roots and Corporate Partnerships
Bringing the production back to Illinois carries personal significance for network leadership. Louis Carr, president of BET, emphasized his connection to the region in a statement provided to UPI.
“As a Chicago native, I’m proud to bring the Soul Train Awards back to the city where it all originated,” Carr said in a statement. He added that the return reaffirms the network’s mission to unite communities around culture and bridge past and present sounds.
Commercial partnerships anchor the financial backing for the comeback. Spotify serves as the exclusive music streaming partner, while Toyota is a key sponsor. Spotify global head of music content and partnerships Joe Hadley and Toyota marketing communications VP Dedra DeLilli both highlighted the platform’s enduring cultural significance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will the Soul Train Awards air?
The awards show airs on Friday, Nov. 27, at 8 p.m. It will simulcast on BET, CBS, VH1, MTV2, Logo, and BET Her.
Where is the show being taped?
The telecast is taped in Chicago, marking a return to the city where Don Cornelius launched the original Soul Train series in 1971.
Who is hosting or performing?
Performances, honorees, and host details have not yet been announced.
Why was the show on a break?
According to former BET leadership statements reported by Billboard, the awards were temporarily suspended in 2023 to undergo a format redesign suited for modern media distribution.
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