Paramount has pressed pause on several major events, including the 2025 Country Music Television (CMT) Awards.
This change came as Paramount Global anticipates a forthcoming merger with Skydance Media. Per The Hollywood Reporter, several upcoming events for 2025 have been postponed, including the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs), the CMT Music Awards, Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Mexico and the MTV MIAW Awards, formerly known as the MTV Millennial Awards, an annual program celebrating Latin American music.
Plans to postpone these events were outlined in a memo from Paramount president Bruce Gillmer, according to THR. The pause will not affect the VMAs or the Kids’ Choice Awards in the US and it was not made clear when the paused events would resume.
“We are pausing a few events for 2025, as we look to reimagine and optimize our events slate going forward,” Gillmer’s memo 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.”
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In April 2024, the CMT Awards were held at Moody Center in Austin, Texas, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini. In August that same year, Paramount revealed its plan to cut 15 percent of the company’s workforce in the United States in an effort to save $500 million, per Variety. This plan was followed by three phases of layoffs, the departure of several high-ranking executives and the closing of Paramount TV Studios.
Paramount’s merger with SkyDance was announced in July 2024, per AP News.
“Given the changes in the industry, we want to fortify Paramount for the future while ensuring that content remains king,” Shari Redstone, a controlling shareholder and chair of Paramount Global, said at the time of the $8 billion deal.
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News of Paramount’s awards show cancellations comes amid several legal standoffs for the company. One involves investors who have filed a complaint against Paramount in Delaware Chancery Court, alleging that the deal is overly favorable to Redstone, according to a report from THR.
Additionally, because it owns CBS, Paramount Global’s merger with SkyDance must get approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as President Trump-elected FCC chairman Brandon Carr is investigating allegations that CBS’s 60 Minutes used “significant and intentional news distortion” in an interview with Kamala Harris. Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS over the segment last year.
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