The MTV Video Music Awards return tonight, giving fans a chance to watch their chosen winners in 19 categories, including best collaboration, best new artist, best choreography and the coveted video of the year. Social-driven categories added in recent years have created opportunities for lesser-known viral artists and internet favorites to take home a Moon Man trophy, making the competition open to almost anyone.
This year’s ceremony will be hosted by L.L. Cool J and feature a star-studded lineup of presenters and performers. Names on the roster include Brittany Snow, Ciara, Busta Rhymes, Sabrina Carpenter, Ricky Martin and KPop Demon Hunters stars Audrey Nuna, EJAE and Rei Ami. Fans of the group will also be excited to know their hit single Golden is nominated for Song of the Summer.
The biggest award of the night, Artist of the Year, includes some of music’s most powerful names as nominees: Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. Video of the Year features seven nominees, with heavy hitters like Lamar, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Billie Eilish all in the running. Meanwhile, Mariah Carey will take the stage as this year’s Video Vanguard Award honoree, performing a career-spanning set of hits. Carey also has new music on the way — her upcoming album drops later this month, and her single Type Dangerous is nominated for best R&B.
Fans could make their voices heard by casting votes at vote.mtv.com, but votes are now closed. Artists like Alex Warren, Doechii, Leon Thomas, Blake Shelton, Brent Faiyaz and KATSEYE are also up for honors across several different categories.
Here’s everything you need to know to stream the 2025 MTV VMAs live if you don’t have cable or a satellite provider.
How to watch the 2025 MTV VMAs
You can stream the awards broadcast on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) on Paramount Plus Premium and CBS. Right now, the streaming service is offering a deal that cuts the annual price in half.
Cord-cutters who prefer a live TV streaming experience can watch CBS or the MTV channel’s simulcast on platforms such as YouTube TV, DirecTV (check out the $30 entertainment package), Hulu with Live TV or Fubo (its new $56-per-month plan carries CBS).
The VMAs will be available to stream on Paramount Plus Premium only, and not the Paramount Plus Essential plan. Premium costs $13 per month, or $120 a year (without any discounts applied). Each subscription plan comes with a seven-day free trial.
