A Special Farewell: Honoring Dolly Parton's Legacy
Entertainment

A Special Farewell: Honoring Dolly Parton's Legacy

authorBy Roger Ebert
DateAug 26, 2026
Read Time2 min
The entertainment world unites to honor the life and enduring legacy of country music icon Dolly Parton through two distinct television specials. This article details the broadcast schedule and streaming options for these heartfelt tributes, allowing fans to commemorate her extraordinary contributions.

Celebrating a Legend: A Dual Network Homage to Dolly Parton

ABC's '20/20' Presents 'Dolly Parton: An American Original'

ABC's esteemed news program, '20/20,' will dedicate an hour-long special, 'Dolly Parton: An American Original,' to the incomparable artist. This episode is scheduled to premiere on August 25th at 10 p.m. PT/ET. Viewers can access the broadcast via their local ABC affiliates or stream it live through services that carry the network, such as DirecTV and Fubo, both of which offer complimentary trial periods. For those who miss the live broadcast, the special will be available on-demand starting August 26th with a Disney+/Hulu subscription.

CBS News Special: 'Dolly Parton — An American Icon'

Concurrently, CBS will air its own one-hour tribute, 'A CBS News Special: Dolly Parton — An American Icon,' on August 25th, during the identical time slot. This special will be anchored by Gayle King of 'CBS Mornings' and Tony Dokoupil of 'CBS Evening News,' featuring a compilation of excerpts from Parton's notable interviews throughout her career, including segments from '60 Minutes' and 'Person-To-Person.' Live streaming is accessible through DirecTV, Fubo, and other live TV streaming platforms that include CBS. Subscribers to Paramount+ with the Premium plan will also be able to stream the special simultaneously.

How to Watch and Remember the Queen of Country

Fans have multiple avenues to watch these commemorative programs. Both ABC and CBS specials air at 10 p.m. PT/ET on August 25th. Live television broadcasts are available through respective local affiliates. For digital viewers, DirecTV and Fubo offer live streaming with trial options. Post-broadcast, ABC's tribute can be viewed on Disney+/Hulu, while CBS's special will be available on Paramount+ for Premium subscribers. These offerings provide comprehensive coverage for admirers to reflect on Dolly Parton's profound influence.

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