Getty Aretha Franklin performs at Radio City Music Hall on February 17, 2012 in New York City.
Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, passed away in August 2018, but her memory lives on. The Grammys Recording Academy has helped put together a tribute concert, in honor of the music legend and it airs tonight. Read on for the rundown on what time the show airs, what channel to watch, the host, the performers, and other details.
ARETHA FRANKLIN TRIBUTE TIME AND DATE: The tribute concert was filmed in January 2019, but it airs on March 10, 2019. It runs from 9 – 11 p.m. ET/PT and 8 – 10 p.m. CT. And, the title of the tribute is Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul.
ARETHA FRANKLIN TRIBUTE CHANNEL: This event airs on the CBS network. Check with your local TV provider (ie. FIOS, Xfinity) for the exact channel number.
HOW TO WATCH ARETHA FRANKLIN TRIBUTE ONLINE: If you don’t have cable or can’t get to a TV, you can watch CBS live on your computer, phone or streaming device by signing up for one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services:
If you have Amazon Prime or want to start a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime, you can watch all CBS content (both live and on-demand) via the CBS All-Access Amazon Channel, which comes with a 7-day free trial.
Once you’re signed up for both Amazon Prime and the CBS channel, you can then watch CBS live on your computer via the Amazon website, or you can watch on your phone (Android and iPhone compatible), tablet, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 or other streaming device via the Amazon Video app.
This service lets you watch a live stream of your local CBS channel, as well as all of CBS’ on-demand library. It’s ultimately the same as the Amazon Prime option, only you’re watching through CBS’ digital platform rather than Amazon’s. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial, and then you can watch CBS live on your computer via the CBS website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone compatible), tablet, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 or other streaming device via the CBS app.
CBS (available live in select markets, which you can find here) is one of 85 channels included in the main Fubo bundle. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial right here, and you can then watch a live stream of the show on your computer via the FuboTV website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast or other supported device via the FuboTV app.
If you can’t watch the tribute live, FuboTV comes with 30 hours of Cloud DVR (with the ability to upgrade to 500 hours), as well as a “72-Hour Lookback” feature, which allows you to watch most shows up to three days after they air even if you forgot to record them.
In addition to their extensive Netflix-like streaming library, Hulu now also offers a bundle of 50-plus live TV channels, including CBS (available live in select markets, which you can find here). You can sign up for “Hulu with Live TV” right here, and you can then watch a live stream of the show on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Echo Show or other streaming device via the Hulu app.
If you can’t watch the tribute live, “Hulu with Live TV” also comes with both its extensive on-demand library (which has most shows available after they air) and 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of DVR space and the ability to fast forward through commercials).
ARETHA FRANKLIN TRIBUTE ON CBS HOST: Tyler Perry is the host of the big event, which is also being presented by AEG Ehrlich Ventures, CBS and Clive Davis. Speaking about Franklin and the tribute, entertainment bigwig Davis said, “Aretha was more than the Queen of Soul; she was a national treasure. This unique concert — featuring many of today’s greatest artists — will celebrate Aretha in a spectacular manner befitting her once-in-a-lifetime talent.”
And, in an interview with CBS News, Davis talked about what made Franklin unique. He said, “She was a perfectionist. When she came to the studio she knew every line. She would only do three takes. I mean no other artist does fewer takes than what Aretha did.” Davis and Franklin had a friendship that lasted for Davis and he wanted to make sure that the tribute reflected his friend’s talent, musical achievements and her impact on the music industry.
ARETHA FRANKLIN TRIBUTE PERFORMERS: The performers are made up of major artists, and Grammy winners. Some of the performers participating in the show include Patti LaBelle, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, SZA, Janelle Monáe, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, Yolanda Adams, Common, Alessia Cara, Brandi Carlile, Chloe x Halle, Celine Dion, Fantasia, and H.E.R. The tribute concert was held at the Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium.