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As we gear up for another edition of this annual ceremony, you may be wondering how to watch the Kennedy Center Honors live for free. This year, stars such as Queen Latifah, Dionne Warwick, and Bee Gees’ legendary singer Barry Gibb will be recognized for their impact on American culture. Up ahead, we’re diving into how you can catch all the action—from the award ceremony, to the performances honoring these luminaries—without even breaking the bank.
Originating in 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors is a yearly ceremony honoring individuals in the performing arts and showcasing their lifetime achievements. The grand gala, traditionally held in December at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington D.C., is known for its star-studded attendees. In 2021, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attended the gala, marking the first time since 2016 that a sitting president and first lady attended the event.
While the awards show isn’t broadcast live, an edited version of the event typically airs on CBS around Christmas. The honorees are selected based on recommendations from the general public, former Honorees, and the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees. The Center says the recipients have “each had an impact on the rich tapestry of American life and culture through the performing arts.”
Over the years, artists like Cher, The Eagles, Al Pacino, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Carole King, Tom Hanks, and more have graced the Kennedy Center stage. Now, with Queen Latifah, Dionne Warwick, and Barry Gibb taking the spotlight, you might be wondering where and how you can watch the Kennedy Center Honors live for free this year. Read on ahead as we guide you through how to watch the Kennedy Center Honors live for free, so you don’t miss a moment of the tribute to these honorees.
When are the Kennedy Center Honors 2023?
The 46th annual Kennedy Center Honors air at 8 p.m. ET on December 27, 2021 on CBS.
How to watch the Kennedy Center Honors live for free
The Kennedy Center Honors ceremony is available to stream on services like DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Paramount Plus, and Hulu+ With Live TV. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial, and starts at $79.99 per month after the trial ends (with $10 off your first two months). Paramount Plus offers a seven-day free trial and starts at $5.99 per month. Fubo also offers a seven-day free trial, and starts at $74.99 per month after the trial ends. While Hulu+ With Live TV doesn’t have a free trial, it is cheaper per month than the other options, starting at $75.99 per month, and offers plans that include free subscriptions to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus.
Best Overall Pick to Watch the Kennedy Center Honors: DirecTV Stream
Direct TV is our best overall pick to watch the Kennedy Center Honors live for free for its free trial, price, and channel selection. DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial. DirecTV offers four plans: Entertainment, which costs $79.99 per month with the first two months at $69.99 per month; Choice, which costs $108.99 per month with the first 1 month at $83.99 per month; Ultimate, which costs $119.99 per month with the first 1 month at $94.99 per month; and Premiere, which costs $174.99 per month.
As for other differences between the plans, Entertainment includes more than 75 channels, the ability to stream on unlimited devices in your home, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and a special offer on premium channels. Choice, which is the most popular plan, includes more than 105 channels, regional sports networks, and everything included in Entertainment. Ultimate includes more than 140 channels and everything included in Entertainment and Choice. Premiere includes more than 150 channels including premium channels like HBO and Starz and everything included in Entertainment, Choice, and Premiere. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the Kennedy Center Honors with DirecTV Stream’s free trial.
- Visit streamtv.directv.com‘s packages page
- Click “Try It Free” for the plan of your choice
- Enter your information and payment method
- Search for CBS and start watching the Kennedy Center Honors
Best Free Trial Pick to Watch the Kennedy Center Honors: Fubo
Fubo is our best free trial pick to watch the Kennedy Center Honors live for free. Fubo offers a seven-day free trial (two days longer than DirecTV Stream) and offers three plans: Pro, which costs $74.99 per month, with $20 off your first month; Elite, which costs $84.99 per month with $20 off your first month; and Premier, which costs $94.99 per month, with $20 offered off your first month.
As for the difference between the plans, Pro includes 180 channels, 1,000 hours of Cloud DVR, and the ability to watch on up to 10 screens at once. Elite includes everything in Pro, as well as a total of 256 channels and 4K resolution. Premier includes everything in Pro and Elite, as well as a total of 299 channels, Showtime, and Red Zone NFL Network. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the Kennedy Center Honors with Fubo’s free trial.
- Visit Fubo.TV
- Click “Start Free Trial”
- Enter your information and payment method
- Search for CBS and start watching the Kennedy Center Honors
Best Budget Pick to Watch the Kennedy Center Honors: Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus is our best budget pick to watch the Kennedy Center Honors live for free based on its price. Paramount Plus offers a seven-day free trial and two plans: Paramount Plus Essential, which costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year, and Paramount Plus With Showtime, which costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. To watch the Kennedy Center Honors live, fans will need Paramount Plus With Showtime.
As for the differences between the plans, Paramount Plus Essential includes limited ads; tens of thousands of TV shows and movies including the Kennedy Center Honors and Paramount Plus originals; NFL games on the Kennedy Center Honors; UEFA Champions League matches; and 24/7 live access to the Kennedy Center Honors News. Paramount Plus With Showtime includes everything in Essential, as well as no ads; Showtime original shows and movies; 24/7 live access to your local the Kennedy Center Honors network; college football; and the ability to download and watch shows on your mobile device. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the Kennedy Center Honors with Paramount Plus’ free trial.
- Visit ParamountPlus.com
- Click “Get It Now”
- Select your plan
- Enter your information and payment method
- Search for CBS and start watching the Kennedy Center Honors
Best Upgrade Pick to Watch the Kennedy Center Honors: Hulu+ Live TV
Hulu+ With Live TV is our best upgrade pick to watch the Kennedy Center Honors based on its channel selection and its free subscriptions to Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus. Hulu+ With Live TV offers four plans: a $75.99 per month plan with access to only live TV; a $76.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; a $81.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads; and a $89.99 per month plan with free subscriptions to Hulu with no ads, Disney Plus with no ads, and ESPN Plus with ads. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to watch the Kennedy Center Honors with Hulu+ Live TV.
- Visit Hulu.com/liveTV
- Click “Sign Up Now”
- Enter your information and payment method
- Search for CBS and start watching the Kennedy Center Honors
Who is hosting the Kennedy Center Honors 2023?
Former Kennedy Center Honoree Gloria Estefan is returning as host for the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, marking her third time hosting the special.
Who are the honorees at the Kennedy Center Honors 2023?
This year’s Kennedy Center honorees are rapper and actress Queen Latifah, singer Dionne Warwick, Bee Gees founder Barry Gibb, actor Billy Crystal, and opera singer Renée Fleming.
Who is performing at the Kennedy Center Honors 2023?
This year’s Kennedy Center Honors promises a stellar lineup of performers paying tribute to the honorees. Here’s a glimpse of the talent set to grace the stage:
Dionne Warwick Tribute:
- “Walk On By” – performed by Chloe Bailey.
- “Alfie” – performed by Cynthia Erivo.
- “Say a Little Prayer” – performed by Gladys Knight.
Queen Latifah Tribute:
- Medley by Missy Elliott and Rapsody.
Renée Fleming Tribute:
- “The Light in the Piazza” (from the musical of the same name) – performed by Dove Cameron.
- “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel – performed by Tituss Burgess, Christine Baranski, and the Jubilation Choir.
Barry Gibb Tribute:
- “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?” – performed by Michael Bublé.
- “Lonely Days, Lonely Nights” – performed by Little Big Town
- “Nights on Broadway” – performed by Ben Platt.
- Disco medley of Bee Gees’ greatest hits, including “How Deep Is Your Love” and “Stayin’ Alive” – performed by Ariana DeBose.
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