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The American Music Awards (AMAs) will return after a three-year hiatus on May 26, 2025, after their long-awaited comeback. The ceremony, which honors some of the biggest music talent, will be taped live from Las Vegas. It will air live on CBS as well as be live-streamed on Paramount+. The return represents a significant shift for the AMAs, which hasn't happened since 2022 before going into dormancy.
The AMAs have been a fan-voted platform for honoring artists for many years, setting them apart from other music awards based on industry panels. The return is sure to bring back its special blend of live shows, fan interaction, and artist awards, and it will be a big event for fans and the music world.
The AMAs' Hiatus and Special Anniversary Programme
The last official AMAs awards ceremony was held in 2022, following which the program proceeded on hiatus for 2023 and 2024. No awards ceremonies took place over this duration. A one-off 50th-anniversary show aired in October 2024 with special performances from industry greats such as Mariah Carey, Brad Paisley, and Jennifer Lopez.
The series was envisioned to be a tribute to the legacy of the AMAs and the role the awards have played in the industry since its near-century-long run. The motives behind the brief break were not well defined by organizers, though industry shifts and scheduling conflicts were some of the speculated motives. The shift to bring back the AMAs in 2025 indicates a shift towards reconnecting with audiences and celebrating the music that has dominated recent years.
A Peek into the AMAs' Past
The American Music Awards were established by TV producer Dick Clark in 1974. Unlike the Grammys, on which Recording Academy members vote, winners of the AMAs have always been determined through fan voting by the masses. This has given the AMAs arguably the most active and participatory music awards in the industry.
Throughout the decades, legendary performances and achievements have been experienced by the AMAs, with newcomers and legends being honored. The show has also expanded its categories decade by decade as popular music trended from genre to genre, from pop to rock to country to hip-hop to R&B.
Schedule Shifting and Memorial Day Alignment
Perhaps the most significant adjustment for the 2025 AMAs is timing. In the past, the telecast had been held in November, but now it will be held in the spring for the first time alongside Memorial Day. This adjustment is strategic. Shifting the telecast from its traditional fall run to when it can perhaps capture an alternative segment of viewers.
The AMAs being held on Memorial Day also gives the event national importance since the holiday itself is to honor soldiers. The event setting on the holiday itself could be interpreted to mean that special performances or tributes would be made concerning the holiday's importance.
What the 2025 AMAs Have in Store
With the comeback of the AMAs, there will be a summary of live performances, fan voting, and recognition of top artists of last year. While the whole list of performers, nominees, and hosts is yet to be released, the show will likely retain multiple genres of music and high-energy performances.
The fan voting campaign will remain a central component of the event, where the fans will vote directly to elect the winners. This has been a unique feature of the AMAs, and it makes the event a unique music award show.
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The comeback of the American Music Awards in 2025 is a fresh start for the older program. Three years since they vanished from television, the AMAs will be taking their place on the entertainment landscape again with fan-voted victories, live performances, and artist tributes back in the fray. With the new date on Memorial Day, the show can also become more culturally significant.
More information about the performers, nominees, and specialty segments will be released. Music lovers can anticipate a showcase of the year's greatest artists and singles for the time being.
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