For the first time in its four-decade history, the MTV VMAs will air live on CBS. The ceremony is officially scheduled for Sunday, September 7, 2025.
The three-hour broadcast will stream from 8 to 11 p.m. ET (5 to 8 p.m. PT) from the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. The show will also be simulcast on MTV and streamed live on Paramount+.
This year's edition is being produced by Bruce Gillmer and Jesse Ignjatovic. Barb Bialkowski joins as co-executive producer, with Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba in charge of production, Billboard reports. Wendy Plaut will oversee celebrity talent, and Lisa Lauricella is set as the music talent executive. The pre-show will kick things off an hour before the main event. It is set to air live across Paramount Media Networks.
Video Music Awards took to its official X (formerly Twitter) page to share:
"The countdown is on. The @MTV #VMAs return to @UBSArena on September 7! Watch live for the first time on @CBS and @paramountplus!"
Where to watch MTV VMAs?
- CBS: Sept. 7, 2025, 8–11 PM ET / 5–8 PM PT
- MTV (simulcast)
- Paramount+ (live streaming)
- One-hour pre-show: Across Paramount Media Networks
Many believe that this new partnership between CBS and MTV comes at a time of transformation in the global entertainment industry scene, especially for cable channels.
MTV launched the VMAs in 1984 to recognize the best in music video artistry. Over the years, it has witnessed multiple headline-making incidents, such as Madonna's Like a Virgin performance or Kanye West's interruption of Taylor Swift in 2009.
Now, after decades of airing exclusively on MTV and its sister networks, the VMAs have taken this move to join CBS' lineup. It is believed to be part of a larger trend within Paramount Global to bring its content to more accessible digital platforms as cable viewership reportedly continues to decline.
Last year's MTV VMAs aired across multiple Paramount-owned cable channels. It included MTV, BET, Comedy Central, and others. CBS was not part of the lineup. However, The Hollywood Reporter reveals that the 2024 broadcast drew a multi-network audience of around 4.09 million, reportedly the VMAs' best numbers since 2020.
By adding CBS to the telecast lineup, the authorities seemingly aim to boost those numbers. According to Nielsen data, CBS averaged nearly 4 million viewers in 2024.
The 2024 VMAs were also held at the same UBS Arena venue. Taylor Swift led the event with seven wins, including Video of the Year for Fortnight featuring Post Malone. That was her third consecutive win in the category. It followed All Too Well: The Short Film (2022) and Anti-Hero (2023).
While MTV is still technically hosting the show through a simulcast, CBS will be the primary broadcast home for the 2025 MTV VMAs.
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