Here are 5 ways to watch the 2026 Grammy Awards for less – find out if Sleep Token, Deftones, Linkin Park, Spiritbox and Ghost scoop any gongs this year
With a totally stacked lineup for rock and metal fans, as well as an all-star tribute to Ozzy from Slash, Duff McKagan, Chad Smith and Post Malone, you do not want to miss it!
Will Sleep Token finally snag their first Grammy? Can Linkin Park add to their trophy haul? There’s only one way to find out – and we’ve got all the ways you can watch without breaking the bank. The 68th Annual Grammy Awards takes place on February 1, 2026, and this year’s ceremony is shaping up to be an absolute belter. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with Trevor Noah hosting for the sixth consecutive time – though it’s his swan song, as the Grammys’ 10-year deal with Disney begins next year.
The event will be broadcast live on CBS & Paramount+ Premium, and even if you’re out of the country on the night, you’ll still be able to watch using a VPN. It is worth noting that Paramount+ Essential subscribers won’t be able to watch live, but the good news is that the ceremony will be available to stream on demand the following day.
For rock and metal fans, this year’s nominations are particularly exciting. Sleep Token could take home the award for Best Rock Song with “Caramel”, while the band’s “Emergence” is nominated for Best Metal Performance alongside Dream Theater, Ghost, Spiritbox, and Turnstile. But here’s the burning question: how can you watch all the action without emptying your wallet? Let’s break down your options.
1. Sign up for Paramount+
First, the not-so-great news: if you’re in the US, the 68th Grammy Awards will air on CBS and stream live on Paramount+ for Premium subscribers, with the show available the following day on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers. Unfortunately, things have gotten a bit trickier since last year.
Paramount+ has ended its direct 7-day free trial for new US subscribers as of January 15, 2026, following a price increase. But don’t despair – there are still ways to watch the Grammys without paying full price.
The 2026 Grammys will be broadcast in the US live on (February 1) exclusively through CBS and Paramount+ at 5pm PST/8pm EST/1am GMT.
If you're on holiday outside of the US and don't want to miss the broadcast, you can still watch it live with the help of a VPN. Find details below.
If you're going to be travelling outside the US and don't want to miss the awards, you can watch through a VPN.
Virtual Private Networks are used to change the location of your IP address, enabling you to watch a movie in any country. Nord VPN is Louder's service of choice and it's currently available with 70% off the usual price - and there's a 30-day money back guarantee.
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NordVPN is our top choice VPN. It's easy to use and boasts strong security features. All plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, and there's currently 70% off the usual price so you'll get it for an absolute steal.
2. Sign up to Walmart+ (US Only)
Walmart+ is a paid membership program offering benefits like free grocery delivery, free shipping with no minimum, fuel discounts, Scan & Go, and more. Priced at $12.95/month or $98/year, with discounts available to government assistance recipients, it can be seen as Walmart's answer to Amazon Prime.
Here’s the clever bit: A Walmart+ membership includes the Paramount+ Essential plan at no extra cost. While the Essential plan means you’ll have to wait until the day after to watch on demand rather than streaming live, it’s still a solid option if you can avoid social media spoilers for 24 hours.
3. A Paramount+ Free Trial (UK only)
If you’re in the UK, you’re in luck. Paramount+ offers a standard 7-day free trial in the UK for new subscribers, available directly via their website or as an add-on through Amazon Prime Video. The trial automatically renews at £4.99 (Basic with ads) or £7.99 (Premium) per month unless cancelled, with payment details required at sign-up.
Just remember to set a reminder to cancel before the trial ends if you’re only in it for the Grammys!
4. Go Annual and Save
Not keen on the free trial dance? Choosing an annual plan saves you money in the long run. In the US, plans cost $59.99/year for Essential or $119.99/year for Premium – effectively giving you two months free compared to paying monthly at $8.99/month (Essential) or $13.99/month (Premium).
5. Watch the Premiere Ceremony for FREE
Here’s something many people don’t know: the 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony takes place from 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT and will stream live for free at live.GRAMMY.com and on YouTube. This is where the majority of the Grammys are actually awarded, so you’ll get to see loads of winners announced without paying a penny.
What to expect this year
Beyond Sleep Token’s historic nominations, Kendrick Lamar leads the list with nine nods, followed by Lady Gaga with seven, and Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, and Leon Thomas with six each.
The rock categories are absolutely stacked this year. Deftones, Linkin Park, Turnstile and Yungblud are battling it out for Best Rock Album, while this year marks the first time that Sleep Token, Amyl And The Sniffers and Yungblud have been nominated for Grammys.
It's also been revealed that a group of rock icons, including Slash and Duff McKagan, Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as Post Malone and Andrew Watt, will be taking to the stage to perform a special tribute to the late, great Ozzy Osbourne, who recently passed away.
Grammys 2026 rock, metal and alternative nominations
Best Metal Performance
Dream Theater: Night Terror
Ghost: Lachryma
Sleep Token: Emergence
Spiritbox: Soft Spine
Turnstile: Birds
Best Rock Performance
Amyl And The Sniffers: U Should Not Be Doing That
Linkin Park: The Emptiness Machine
Turnstile: Never Enough
Hayley Williams: Mirtazapine
Yungblud featuring Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman: Changes (Live From Villa Park, Back To The Beginning)
Best Rock Song
Nine Inch Nails: As Alive As You Need Me To Be
Sleep Token: Caramel
Hayley Williams: Glum
Turnstile: Never Enough
Yungblud: Zombie
Best Rock Album
Deftones: Private Music
HAIM: I Quit
Linkin Park: From Zero
Turnstile: Never Enough
Yungblud: Idols
Best Alternative Music Performance
Bon Iver: Everything Is Peaceful Love
The Cure: Alone
Turnstile: Seein’ Stars
Wet Leg: Mangetout
Hayley Williams: Parachute
Best Alternative Music Album
Bon Iver: Sable, Fable
The Cure: Songs Of A Lost World
Tyler, The Creator: Don’t Tap The Glass
Wet Leg: Moisturiser
Hayley Williams: Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party
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Daryl's a Senior Deals Writer on Louder's sister sites MusicRadar, Guitar World and Guitar Player. He has a passion for anything that makes a sound, in particular guitars, pianos and recording equipment. In a previous life, he worked in music retail, giving advice on all aspects of music creation, selling everything from digital pianos to electric guitars, and entire PA systems to ukuleles. He's also a fully qualified sound engineer with experience working in various venues in Scotland.
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