If you are searching for How to watch the stellar awards 2026, the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards has already completed its first major television broadcasts, with additional U.S. airings scheduled through September. The ceremony premiered on The Stellar Network on August 29 and received its national cable premiere on BET on August 30. A broader broadcast syndication run continues from September 5 through September 27.
The 2026 ceremony was taped August 15 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kirk Franklin hosted the event, which used the theme “Feels Like Home.” The program brought together gospel performers, nominees, winners and special honorees for the 41st edition of the annual awards.
For viewers who missed the August broadcasts, the upcoming syndicated television schedule provides another opportunity to see the complete ceremony. Bounce TV is also scheduled to air the program September 5 at 1 p.m. ET.
When Did the Stellar Awards 2026 Air?
The 2026 Stellar Awards received multiple television premieres across different outlets.
The Stellar Network presented the first broadcast Saturday, August 29, at 8 p.m. ET. An encore followed at 10 p.m. ET. The network’s availability includes several U.S. television and streaming platforms.
BET then presented the national cable premiere Sunday, August 30, at 8 p.m. ET. BET scheduled an additional airing at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Those August broadcasts have now passed. However, viewers have not lost their remaining opportunities to watch the ceremony.
Central City Productions confirmed a broadcast television syndication window running from September 5 through September 27. Local stations can schedule the program at different times during that period.
2026 Stellar Awards Broadcast Schedule
| Date | Time | Television outlet |
|---|---|---|
| August 29 | 8 p.m. ET | The Stellar Network |
| August 29 | 10 p.m. ET | The Stellar Network encore |
| August 30 | 8 p.m. ET | BET |
| August 30 | 10:30 p.m. ET | BET encore |
| September 5 | 1 p.m. ET | Bounce TV |
| September 5–27 | Varies | Broadcast syndication |
Local syndicated times can differ by market, so viewers should check their television provider or local station listings for the exact airing in their area.
How to Watch the Stellar Awards on BET
BET was the primary national cable destination for the 2026 ceremony.
The network aired the awards show Sunday, August 30, at 8 p.m. ET. BET also scheduled an encore at 10:30 p.m. ET.
The BET presentation featured Kirk Franklin as host and included performances from several prominent gospel artists. The lineup included Jekalyn Carr, John P. Kee, Tye Tribbett featuring ABLAZE, PJ Morton, Darrel Walls and others. Franklin also performed during the ceremony.
Since the BET premiere and encore have already aired, viewers checking the schedule now should look for the upcoming syndicated broadcasts instead of assuming another live BET premiere is still ahead.
BET’s broadcast was a television presentation of a ceremony that had already been taped in Charlotte.
How to Watch the Stellar Awards on The Stellar Network
The Stellar Network carried the first television presentation of the 2026 awards.
Its premiere aired August 29 at 8 p.m. ET, followed by an encore at 10 p.m. ET. The network is available through several television and streaming platforms, including Charter Spectrum, Verizon Fios, Vizio WatchFree+ and Xumo Play.
Viewers who have access to one of those services can search the channel guide for The Stellar Network.
The network’s availability can vary by provider and market. A channel number on one television service may not match another provider.
Because the initial Stellar Network broadcasts have already occurred, viewers who missed them should check the upcoming syndicated schedule for another confirmed television airing.
Can You Watch the Stellar Awards on Bounce TV?
Yes. Bounce TV has a confirmed upcoming broadcast.
The network is scheduled to air the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards Saturday, September 5, at 1 p.m. ET.
This is one of the most useful options for viewers who missed both the Stellar Network premiere and the BET broadcast.
Bounce TV’s availability can depend on the viewer’s local television market. Check the local channel guide before September 5 to confirm the channel number and airtime in your area.
The Bounce TV airing also falls within the larger September broadcast syndication period.
What Is the Stellar Awards Syndication Schedule?
Following the national BET presentation, the ceremony moves into a broadcast television syndication window.
The confirmed syndication period runs from September 5 through September 27. During that period, television stations across the country can air the awards show according to their local programming schedules.
This means there is no single September airtime that applies to every U.S. household.
A viewer in one city may see the program on September 5, while another market could carry it later in the month.
WBTV, the CBS affiliate serving Charlotte, provides one example of how local scheduling can work. The station aired the awards show August 30 at 9 p.m. local time and noted that other markets would carry the program on different dates and times.
Viewers should therefore search their local television listings rather than relying on a national airtime.
How to Find a Local Broadcast
Finding a later airing is relatively simple.
Start by opening the channel guide supplied by your cable, satellite or live-TV provider. Search for “Stellar Awards” or “41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards.”
If no listing appears immediately, check the schedule for September 5 through September 27.
The program may appear under a shortened title rather than the full ceremony name. Checking local broadcast stations and Bounce TV can also help identify an upcoming showing.
A quick checklist for viewers
- Open your local television guide.
- Search for “Stellar Awards.”
- Check September 5 through September 27.
- Look for the Bounce TV September 5 broadcast.
- Check local broadcast stations carrying syndicated programming.
- Confirm the listed start time for your specific market.
This approach is particularly important for viewers outside major television markets.
Is There an Official Free Livestream?
Viewers should distinguish between coverage surrounding the ceremony and the complete awards broadcast.
In Charlotte, WBTV offered a special pre-show stream beginning at 8 p.m. on August 30. The station provided red-carpet coverage, interviews and other material before its local television presentation. However, WBTV stated that the full Stellar Awards broadcast would not stream on its website or apps.
That means viewers should not assume that every online video labeled as a Stellar Awards livestream represents the complete ceremony.
The confirmed full-program distribution remains television-based through The Stellar Network, BET, Bounce TV and broadcast syndication.
Unofficial streams can also disappear without notice. Viewers looking for the complete awards show should use an authorized broadcaster or local television listing.
Can You Stream the Stellar Network?
The Stellar Network has distribution through several services that can be accessed through television or supported streaming devices.
The official network information identifies Vizio WatchFree+, Xumo Play, Charter Spectrum and Verizon Fios among its distribution platforms.
For viewers using a smart television, the easiest method is to search the available channels or apps for The Stellar Network.
Availability can differ based on location and service. Viewers should verify that the network is included in their particular lineup.
The August 29 premiere has already taken place, but the network remains an important part of the Stellar Awards’ television distribution.
What Happened at the 2026 Stellar Awards?
The ceremony was taped Saturday, August 15, at Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
It was the first time the Stellar Awards were held in Charlotte. The production used the theme “Feels Like Home,” while Kirk Franklin served as host.
The event recognized achievements across gospel music and featured performances spanning traditional gospel, contemporary worship, choir music and collaborations with other musical styles.
The ceremony also included two major special honors.
Tasha Cobbs Leonard received the Aretha Franklin Icon Award. Pastor Mike Jr. received the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award.
These presentations form part of the televised program that viewers can catch through the remaining broadcast schedule.
Who Performed at the 2026 Stellar Awards?
The televised ceremony features an extensive group of gospel performers.
The announced lineup includes Aaron Cole, Céjae, Darrel Walls, Jekalyn Carr, John P. Kee, JustCordell, Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers, Maranda Curtis, Marvin Sapp, Melvin Crispell III, PJ Morton, Tye Tribbett featuring ABLAZE, William Murphy and Vincent Bohanan & SOV.
Jevon Dewand & The Trap Starz also performed with Isaac Carree and Jazze Pha.
Kirk Franklin joined the performance lineup as well as serving as host.
The combination gives the television special a broad representation of contemporary and traditional gospel music.
Who Hosted the 2026 Stellar Awards?
Kirk Franklin hosted the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards.
The award-winning gospel artist returned to the ceremony in a central role for the Charlotte production. The event’s theme, “Feels Like Home,” complemented the show’s focus on gospel music, community and artistic excellence.
Franklin also took the stage for a special performance.
For viewers watching a later syndicated airing, he remains the host throughout the televised ceremony.
Why the August 15 Taping Date Matters
The Stellar Awards are sometimes discussed as though the television broadcast and ceremony happen on the same day.
That is not the case for the 2026 edition.
The awards ceremony was taped August 15 at Spectrum Center. The finished program was then scheduled for television premieres later in the month.
The Stellar Network aired the first presentation August 29.
BET followed with its national cable premiere August 30.
Syndicated television broadcasts then continue into September.
Understanding that schedule helps explain why viewers may find different dates listed across television guides and entertainment coverage.
What Should Viewers Do If They Missed the BET Broadcast?
The next confirmed national television option is Bounce TV.
Bounce TV is scheduled to air the ceremony September 5 at 1 p.m. ET.
Viewers should also check local broadcast listings because the ceremony has a wider syndication run from September 5 through September 27.
Some stations may air the program during daytime hours. Others can schedule it during a different part of the day.
Checking the listing close to the intended viewing date is the best way to confirm the exact local time.
Can Viewers Outside Charlotte Watch It?
Yes.
The awards were taped in Charlotte, but the television distribution is national.
BET provided the national cable premiere, while the Stellar Network offered the first television presentation. The program then moves into broadcast syndication across the United States.
The local schedule remains the main variable.
Charlotte viewers had a specific local broadcast through WBTV, while other communities have their own station arrangements. WBTV noted that markets such as Wilmington, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina, have different scheduled dates.
That makes a local TV guide essential for viewers outside Charlotte.
2026 Stellar Awards Viewing Options Compared
| Viewing option | Status | Key information |
|---|---|---|
| The Stellar Network | Premiere completed | August 29 at 8 p.m. ET |
| The Stellar Network encore | Completed | August 29 at 10 p.m. ET |
| BET | Premiere completed | August 30 at 8 p.m. ET |
| BET encore | Completed | August 30 at 10:30 p.m. ET |
| Bounce TV | Upcoming | September 5 at 1 p.m. ET |
| Broadcast syndication | Upcoming | September 5–27 |
| WBTV Charlotte | Local broadcast completed | August 30 at 9 p.m. ET |
The table shows why viewers who missed the August broadcasts still have legitimate ways to find the program.
The Best Way to Watch Now
For viewers checking the schedule after the August 30 BET broadcast, the most immediate confirmed option is Bounce TV on September 5 at 1 p.m. ET.
The broader syndicated run offers additional opportunities through September 27. Since stations can choose different airtimes, viewers should check their local listings before assuming a particular date or time.
Those with access to The Stellar Network should also watch for any additional network scheduling information.
The key information is that the 2026 ceremony has already been taped and televised, but its distribution continues.
Final Viewing Guide
The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards has now moved beyond its initial premiere weekend.
The Stellar Network presented the first broadcast August 29. BET followed August 30 with its national cable premiere. The next specifically confirmed broadcast is on Bounce TV September 5 at 1 p.m. ET. The overall syndicated television window continues through September 27.
Kirk Franklin hosted the ceremony, which was taped at Spectrum Center in Charlotte and carried the “Feels Like Home” theme. Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Pastor Mike Jr. were among the special honorees, while a large lineup of gospel performers appeared throughout the program.
For anyone who missed the original broadcasts, checking local television listings is the most reliable way to find the next showing. The September syndication schedule varies by market, so the exact local time should always be confirmed before watching.
Did you catch the 2026 Stellar Awards, or are you waiting for a September broadcast? Tell us which performance or moment you are most excited to see.