“SOUL TRAIN AWARDS” RETURNS TO BET AND MAKES DEBUT ON CBS
NEW YORK – BET announced the return of SOUL TRAIN AWARDS, presented by Spotify and Toyota, airing Friday, Nov. 27 at 8:00 PM, ET/PT on BET and simulcast on CBS for the first time ever, along with BET HER, VH1, MTV2 and LOGO. Taped in the city where Don Cornelius launched the original “Soul Train” more than 50 years ago, the show will celebrate the artists, music and enduring legacy of “Soul Train” through a dynamic night of performances and special moments.
With Spotify as the exclusive music streaming partner and Toyota as the exclusive automotive partner, the return marks a new chapter for the franchise that has shaped Black music and culture for generations. This year’s telecast blends 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. Performances, honorees and host details will be announced in the coming weeks.
“As a Chicago native, I’m proud to bring the SOUL TRAIN AWARDS back to the city where it all originated,” said Louis Carr, president of BET. “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.”
“The SOUL TRAIN AWARDS has always been the home for R&B and soul, and this year we’re reimagining the celebration with a bold new format,” said Connie Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming and music strategy for BET. “It’s about honoring the artists who shaped the genre while reinventing the night for where the music is headed.”
“Jesse Collins Entertainment is elated to return to produce the show,” said Jesse Collins, founder and CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment. “We are honored to work alongside BET, Spotify and Toyota toward an exciting lineup of unforgettable performances and special moments.”
Spotify’s Joe Hadley, global head of music content and partnerships at Spotify, states, “We’re thrilled the SOUL TRAIN AWARDS are coming back. It’s a significant moment for R&B and soul, and for Spotify, it’s important to show up where culture is. Bringing Spotify and BET together allows us to extend the impact beyond the awards themselves, creating more opportunities for artists and their music to reach fans around the world.”
“‘Soul Train’ has been a defining force in music and culture for more than five decades, and Toyota is proud to have been part of that legacy for many of those years,” said Dedra DeLilli, vice president of marketing communications at Toyota. “We’ve always believed in showing up where culture is being created and celebrated, which is why we are extremely excited to be the exclusive automotive partner for the return of the SOUL TRAIN AWARDS. We’re proud to help bring this iconic platform back in a way that honors its legacy and the significance it continues to hold today.”
Connie Orlando serves as the executive producer for SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2026 for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers.
Presented by Spotify and Toyota
Airing Friday, Nov. 27 at 8:00 PM, ET/PT
From Chicago, the City That Started It All
Jesse Collins Entertainment Returns as Production Company