The 56th NAACP Image Awards will be broadcast live tonight on BET and CBS. This event celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color across more than 80 competitive categories spanning film, television + streaming, music, literature, and podcasts.
As reported by Deadline, reigning Grammy Album of the Year winner Beyoncé won Outstanding Female Artist and Outstanding Album of the Year to lead winners Wednesday during night two of the 56th NAACP Image Awards’ pre-awards show.
Beyoncé won the album award for Cowboy Carter, repeating her feat earlier this month at the Grammys, and got a bonus victory when her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, won for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture) for Mufasa: The Lion King. Wednesday’s categories also included some film categories, including The Piano Lesson director Malcolm Washington winning Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture), and Tyler Perry’s The Six Triple Eight winning for Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture. Emilia Pérez, which leads all Oscar nominees this year with 13, won for Outstanding International Motion Picture.
Here’s how to stream the 2025 NAACP Image Awards on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV & More.
When to Watch
2025 NAACP Image Awards
- Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/PT
- Channel: BET, CBS
- Stream: DIRECTV STREAM, Paramount+, Sling TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV.
How to Watch the NAACP Image Awards Live Without Cable
BET and CBS will air the 2025 NAACP Image Awards live, and cord-cutters can watch the ceremony on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or any compatible device with a subscription to DIRECTV STREAM, Fubo, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, or YouTube TV. You can also watch the 2025 NAACP Image Awards for free with an antenna.
Watch the 2025 NAACP Image Awards on DIRECTV STREAM
Stream the 56th NAACP Image Awards live on BET and CBS with DIRECTV STREAM. The Entertainment package includes both channels as part of a lineup of over 90+ networks for $86.99 per month. DIRECTV STREAM offers unlimited DVR storage and allows streaming on multiple screens. New subscribers can start with a 5-day free trial.
For a limited time, get the Entertainment plan with the Sports Pack included for only $86.98 for the first two months.
Watch the 2025 NAACP Image Awards on Paramount+
Paramount+ subscribers can stream the awards live as they air, or watch on-demand after the broadcast. This provides a convenient option for viewers who prefer to watch the event at their own pace. To access the NAACP Image Awards on Paramount+, ensure you have an active subscription and navigate to the event’s page on the platform.
In addition to the main ceremony, Paramount+ may offer exclusive content such as interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and highlights from the event. Subscribing to Paramount+ not only allows you to watch the NAACP Image Awards but also grants access to a wide range of other shows, movies, and live TV events available on the platform.
Please note that availability and additional content are subject to change, so it’s advisable to check Paramount+’s official website or app for the most current information.
Watch the 2025 NAACP Image Awards Live on Sling TV
Stream the 56th NAACP Image Awards live on BET with Sling Blue. For $45.99 per month, subscribers can watch the ceremony along with a lineup of 43+ channels. Sling includes 50 hours of DVR storage to record the biggest moments, hit shows, movies, and more.
Watch the 2025 NAACP Image Awards Live on Fubo
Stream the 2025 NAACP Image Awards live on BET, CBS, and over 200 other channels with Fubo’s Pro plan. For $85 per month, enjoy unlimited cloud DVR storage and access to a diverse range of sports, entertainment, and news channels.
New subscribers can try Fubo for free and take advantage of a $20 discount on their first month.
Watch the 2025 NAACP Image Awards Live on Hulu + Live TV
Stream over 95 channels, including CBS and BET, live with Hulu + Live TV for $82.99 per month. The service includes unlimited DVR storage and allows up to six accounts per household, perfect for sharing across family members. New subscribers can try Hulu + Live TV free for three days.
Watch the 2025 NAACP Image Awards Live on YouTube TV
As of February 2025, YouTube TV offers over 100 live channels, including CBS and BET, for $82.99 per month. The service provides unlimited DVR storage and allows up to six accounts per household, each with personalized recommendations and individual DVR libraries. Subscribers can stream on up to three devices simultaneously.
Updated 2025 NAACP Image Awards Winners List
The first set of winners for the 56th NAACP Image Awards were announced during a virtual ceremony streamed on the NAACP Image Awards YouTube channel. The event celebrated Black excellence across television, film, literature, and children’s programming. Notable winners include Taraji P. Henson and Samuel L. Jackson, who both received awards for their performances in “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.” Henson won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Television Series, Special, or Movie, while Jackson earned Outstanding Supporting Actor. The children’s program “Gracie’s Corner” secured two awards, recognizing its impact on young audiences. Jamie Foxx’s Netflix comedy special “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was” won Outstanding Variety (Series or Special). Ayo Edebiri continued her awards-season success with a win for Outstanding Breakthrough Creative in Television for “The Bear.” Keke Palmer was recognized as Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition for her work on NBC’s “Password.” In the literary category, Joy-Ann Reid won two awards: one for “The ReidOut” in the Outstanding News/Information Series or Special category and another for her biography “Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America.” The virtual ceremony also highlighted achievements in voice acting, with Leah Sava Jeffries winning Outstanding Performance by a Youth for “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” and Cree Summer receiving Outstanding Voiceover Performance for “Rugrats.” The main ceremony is scheduled to air live on February 22, 2025, from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, broadcasting on BET and CBS at 8 PM ET.
Night 2 Winners
- Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Motion Picture): Wicked – Paul Tazewell (Universal Pictures)
- Outstanding Hair Styling (Television or Motion Picture): Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist – Lawrence Davis (Peacock)
- Outstanding Make-up (Television or Motion Picture): Shirley – Debi Young (Netflix)
- Outstanding Stunt Ensemble: Rebel Ridge – Keith Woulard, Nico Woulard (Netflix)
- Outstanding International Motion Picture: Emilia Pérez (Netflix)
- Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Motion Picture): Blue Ivy Carter – Mufasa: The Lion King (Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture)
- Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture): Dawn Porter – Luther: Never Too Much (Sony Music Entertainment/Sony Music Publishing/CNN Films)
- Outstanding Cinematography in a Motion Picture: Jomo Fray – Nickel Boys (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
- Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture): Malcolm Washington – The Piano Lesson (Netflix)
- Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture: Ebony Obsidian – The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)
- Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture: The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)
For the full nominee list and updates on the 2025 NAACP Image Awards, visit the official Image Awards page.