The Academy of Country Music is making changes and additions within several awards categories including the splitting of Songwriter of the Year into two categories and expanding the number of nominees for Entertainer of the Year.

The ACM will hand out a Songwriter of the Year and an Artist-Songwriter of the Year award at next year’s ceremony. The ACM has also expanded Entertainer of the Year category to seven nominees from five.

Criteria for the Album of the Year category has been changed to increase the required amount of previously unreleased content to 75% from 51%, and the release window has been updated to better accommodate gradual release schedules. The Video of the Year category has been expanded into Visual Media of the Year to include additional formats of visual content.

Additionally, the Academy’s Radio Award criteria for National Personality of the Year has been updated to require that show submissions are distributed across all continental time zones. This has an impact on National Weekly On-Air Personality of the Year as well as National Daily On-Air Personality of the Year.

“Making these changes clarifies eligibility and allows artists, songwriters, and radio broadcasters to put their best foot forward in having their accomplishments recognized by their peers and celebrated by the Academy,” said Tommy Moore, VP, Artist and Industry Relations, Governance and Board Administration.

The 58th Academy of Country Music Awards, produced by dick clark productions, will livestream on Prime Video on 5/11 from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The eligibility period for submissions is 11/16/21 through 12/31/22. Other key dates are:

Submissions period is 1/9 the 1/27; first round voting for main awards is 2/27–3/6; first round voting radio awards is 2/27–3/13; second round voting main awards is 3/27–4/3; final round voting radio awards is 3/27–4/10; and final round voting main awards is 4/17-24.