When Is the Kennedy Center Honors Televised?
The 47th Annual Kennedy Center Honors will be broadcast on Sunday, December 22nd, from 8:30-11:00 PM ET/PT on CBS. The ceremony will also be available for streaming on Paramount+, live for those with a SHOWTIME subscription and on-demand the following day for Essential subscribers. This year’s ceremony, hosted by Queen Latifah, a 2023 Kennedy Center Honoree herself, was taped on December 8th.
Air Date and Streaming Options for the Kennedy Center Honors
This year marks Queen Latifah’s first time hosting the prestigious event. She joins a select group of past honorees who have also hosted, including luminaries like Leonard Bernstein, Gene Kelly, Beverly Sills, David Letterman, Gloria Estefan, and LL Cool J. The December 22nd air date allows viewers to enjoy the star-studded tribute just days before Christmas.
Paramount+ offers viewers flexible ways to watch the Kennedy Center Honors, either live or on-demand, depending on their subscription level. The ceremony typically features a mix of performances and speeches celebrating the lifetime achievements of the honorees.
Honorees for the 47th Kennedy Center Honors
The 2024 Kennedy Center Honors recipients include:
- Francis Ford Coppola: Acclaimed director and filmmaker
- The Grateful Dead: Legendary American rock band (Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, the late Phil Lesh, Bobby Weir)
- Bonnie Raitt: Celebrated singer-songwriter and guitarist
- Arturo Sandoval: Renowned jazz trumpeter, pianist, and composer
- The Apollo: Receiving a special Honors as an iconic American institution
Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Ron
Notably, Grateful Dead co-founder Jerry Garcia, who passed away in 1995, is not officially being honored, as the Kennedy Center Honors rarely bestows the award posthumously. Phil Lesh passed away in October 2024, after the honorees were announced.
Production Details for the Kennedy Center Honors
The 47th Annual Kennedy Center Honors is produced by Done+Dusted, in association with ROK Productions. David Jammy, Elizabeth Kelly, and Jack Sussman serve as executive producers, with Alex Rudzinski directing.
The Kennedy Center Honors remains a significant cultural event, recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the arts. Tune in on December 22nd to witness this year’s celebration.
