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‘The Road’ Premieres on CBS, Taking Country Competition Out of the Studio and Onto Tour

The Taylor Sheridan project stages real opening sets for Keith Urban with on-site voting that excludes the national audience.

Overview

  • The CBS series debuted Oct. 19 with 12 singer-songwriters and will continue with new Sunday episodes following the extended premiere.
  • At each stop, the live crowd votes after original-song performances, and mentors Keith Urban and Blake Shelton choose who departs from the bottom three as Gretchen Wilson mentors as tour manager.
  • Episodes air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and stream on Paramount+, live for Premium subscribers with next-day access for Essential users.
  • Producers cast working artists without open auditions to emphasize real touring pressures, with contestants vying for $250,000, a record deal, and a Stagecoach 2026 slot.
  • Early reviews praise the vérité look and seasoned talent but question the lack of at-home voting and whether Urban’s on-screen role is fully utilized.