Anthony Anderson to Host 2026 Soul Train Awards: ‘I’m Thrilled to Be Back’

Anthony Anderson is set to host the 2026 Soul Train Awards, airing Friday, Nov. 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS. This is the first Soul Train Awards since 2023 and the first ever to air on CBS. The two-hour show will tape on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Harris Theater in Chicago.

“I’m thrilled to be back with BET and especially excited to host Soul Train Awards in Chicago, where the Soul Train legacy began,” Anderson said in a statement. “Soul Train is more than a television show or an awards franchise; it’s a piece of our cultural history. Don Cornelius created a platform that gave Black artists a place to shine, and generations later, that spirit is still alive. I’m looking forward to celebrating the legends, the artists shaping R&B and soul today, and bringing a whole lot of fun to the night.”

Anderson, best known for his role on ABC’s long-running Black-ish, previously hosted the Soul Train Awards in 2013. The actor-comedian has an extensive resume as an awards show host. He hosted the NAACP Image Awards for nine consecutive years (2014-22) and the 75th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2024. He cohosted the BET Awards in 2015 and 2016 with his Black-ish costar Tracee Ellis Ross.

“Anthony brings an incredible combination of comedic instinct, musical knowledge and genuine love for this culture,” said Connie Orlando, evp of specials, music programming and music strategy for BET. “His longstanding relationship with BET, coupled with his experience hosting some of television’s biggest award shows, makes him a natural fit for this new chapter of Soul Train Awards.”

“Anthony Anderson is an exceptional entertainer with a genuine connection to BET and the culture that Soul Train represents,” said Louis Carr, president of BET. “He understands the legacy, the music and the importance of creating a moment that brings people together. As we return Soul Train Awards to Chicago, the birthplace of the franchise, we’re excited to have Anthony at the center of this celebration.”

For his work on Black-ish, Anderson received seven consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series (2015-21), four Primetime Emmy nominations for outstanding comedy series as an executive producer, three Golden Globe nominations and three Critics’ Choice nominations. He has won eight Image Awards and received six BET Award nominations.