CBS will air a one-hour special titled Inside the 68th Grammy Awards on Friday, January 30, from 8–9 p.m. ET/PT, just two nights before the main Grammy Awards ceremony. The program will broadcast on CBS and stream on Paramount+, offering viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what goes into “Music’s Biggest Night.”

Hosted by acclaimed music journalist Zane Lowe of The Zane Lowe Show, the special promises insider access, candid conversations, and expert commentary as anticipation builds for the annual awards show.

Exclusive Artist Interviews and Best New Artist Spotlight

The special will feature interviews with several high-profile artists, including Best New Artist nominees sombr and Leon Thomas, alongside music icons Pharrell Williams, Reba McEntire, and hip-hop duo Clipse. Industry insiders will also weigh in with analysis and predictions across major Grammy categories.

The Recording Academy confirmed that all eight Best New Artist nominees will perform live during the 68th Grammy Awards telecast. Leon Thomas leads the category with six nominations overall, while Pharrell Williams and Clipse earned four nominations each—three of which stem from their collaboration on Clipse’s album Let God Sort Em Out, produced by Williams. Reba McEntire received a nod for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for Trailblazer, her collaboration with Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson. At just 20 years old, sombr is the youngest Best New Artist nominee in four years.

Production Team Behind Music’s Biggest Night

Inside the 68th Grammy Awards is produced by the Recording Academy in partnership with Fulwell Entertainment. Executive producers include Ben Winston, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., and Eric Pankowski, with Branden Chapman serving as co-executive producer.

Ben Winston also serves as one of the executive producers of the main Grammy telecast, alongside Raj Kapoor, Jesse Collins, and host Trevor Noah. Other key figures include Branden Chapman, the Recording Academy’s Chief Global Entertainment Officer, and Eric Pankowski of Fulwell Entertainment, underscoring the extensive creative and production leadership behind the prestigious event.