The expanded rollout does not stop at CBS. The revived awards show will also simulcast across Paramount Skydance cablers VH1, MTV2, Logo, and BET Her. This multi-channel approach ensures maximum visibility across different demographics, targeting both traditional cable subscribers and viewers who gravitate toward niche lifestyle and music networks. Jesse Collins Entertainment returns to produce the event, bringing the familiar production team back to oversee the franchise’s latest iteration after successfully steering previous broadcasts.
A Return to Chicago and R&B Roots
Though the ceremony will not air live, it will be taped in Chicago. The location holds deep historical significance for the brand. Don Cornelius first launched the iconic music and dance series “Soul Train” in the Windy City in 1971, originally airing on local indie station WCIU before expanding into national syndication. Bringing the awards back to Chicago serves as a full-circle moment for the legacy of Cornelius and the culture-defining program he built. The city remains a vital hub for music and arts, making it a fitting backdrop to honor the genre’s past, present, and future.
Louis Carr, BET president and a Chicago native, emphasized the importance of returning to the city where the Soul Train legacy began. “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. “Coming off a landmark year for BET, this return reaffirms what we do best: bringing our community together around the culture, and connecting the artists who built this sound to the ones carrying it forward.”
Reimagining the Format for a New Era
The Soul Train Awards last aired in 2023, with actress and singer Keke Palmer hosting the proceedings. The subsequent pause stemmed from a strategic decision by BET leadership to reevaluate the network’s slate of music specials. In 2025, BET’s then-CEO Scott Mills told Billboard that the company had “suspended” both the Soul Train Awards and the BET Hip-Hop Awards. Mills framed the hiatus not as a cancellation, but as a necessary pivot. “I would say that it’s less about them being no longer and more about our team having to reimagine them for this changing media landscape that we find ourselves in,” Mills explained at the time.
Now, BET leadership is ready to unveil that reimagined vision. Connie Orlando, BET’s exec VP of specials, music programming and music strategy, promised a fresh take on the traditional awards show format. She noted that the 2026 telecast will feature a “bold new format” designed to bridge generational divides within R&B music.
“The ‘Soul Train Awards’ has always been the home for R&B and soul,” Orlando said. “It’s about honoring the artists who shaped the genre while reinventing the night for where the music is headed.” BET described the upcoming telecast as a blend of “honorees who defined the sound with the artists carrying it forward, celebrating a legacy that has influenced American music since ‘Soul Train’ first went on the air in 1971.” The network’s press release promised a night that bridges the gap between classic soul legends and the modern artists redefining the genre today.
Corporate Partnerships and Production Team
Major brands are also throwing their weight behind the revival. Spotify has signed on as the exclusive music streaming partner for the event. Joe Hadley, Spotify’s global head of music content and partnerships, called the return of the Soul Train Awards a “significant moment for R&B and soul.” Toyota is joining as a key sponsor, with marketing communications VP Dedra DeLilli stating that the automaker is “proud to help bring this iconic platform back in a way that honors its legacy and the significance it continues to hold today.”
Behind the scenes, Orlando serves as an executive producer for BET. Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay of Jesse Collins Entertainment join her as executive producers. The team will be tasked with balancing the nostalgia of the Soul Train brand with the modern demands of a multi-platform media environment.
What Happens Next
While the broadcast date and location are set, fans of R&B music will have to wait a bit longer for the talent lineup. BET confirmed that performance details, specific honorees, and the host for the 2026 Soul Train Awards will be announced in the coming weeks. The network will likely leverage its multi-network simulcast strategy to secure high-profile musical acts and presenters.
The simultaneous CBS broadcast sets a new precedent for the franchise. If the ratings prove successful, the cross-network strategy could serve as a blueprint for future BET specials, potentially opening the door for other revived properties to make the jump to broadcast television. For now, the focus remains on delivering a polished, reinvigorated tribute to soul and R&B when the cameras start rolling in Chicago this November.
— Lucas Berg, entertainment desk, AXO News