‘CMA Country Christmas’ 2020: New Hosts Announced, Other Changes For Annual Show

Country music fans will be getting something a little different in store when they tune in for the annual “CMA Country Christmas” show, as the event will be having some new hosts.

In an appearance on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday, Thomas Rhett announced that he and his wife, Lauren Akins, would be taking on the co-hosting gig this year—succeeding the job from previous hosts, who included Jennifer Nettles from 2010-2016, Reba McEntire from 2017-2018 and Trisha Yearwood in 2019.

Rhett also shared the news on Instagram, announcing that the show would air on ABC on Nov. 30.

Performers have not yet been announced though previous specials have included Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bran, CB30, Kristen Chenoweth, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Tori Kelly, Lady A, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, Rascal Flatts, Brett Young and Chris Young.

It’s unclear how this year’s special will go on with the COVID-19 Pandemic still affecting filming around the world, with social distancing measures in place on sets and other rules in effect in order to facilitate filming.

COVID-19 has loomed large over the entertainment industry, forcing several events to go virtual for the first time as a precautionary measure, with others going on without live audiences and other measures in place to ensure the safety of attendees.

This also remained true for the CMA Awards, which went on as planned on Wednesday night, but only after more than a few acts were forced to pull out of the show due to the virus. Lady A and Rascal Flatts canceled after both groups had people in their close proximities test positive for the virus, while Florida Georgia Line, Jenee Fleenor and Lee Brice also all pulled out due to their own positive cases.