In a major move that underscores shifting media tides, the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) will air live on CBS for the first time ever this September—marking a pivotal change for both the awards show and its parent network. Set to broadcast live from 8–11 p.m. ET on September 7, the event will also simulcast on MTV, though the real push is now toward a broader, more mainstream audience.
From MTV Staple to Broadcast TV Power Play
The VMAs have long been a flagship event for MTV, a network once synonymous with music culture and youth rebellion. But amid plummeting cable viewership and the rise of social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube, MTV has lost its once-powerful grip on music trends.
In contrast, CBS offers a much larger reach. The 2024 VMAs saw a 25% jump in viewership—largely credited to being broadcast across multiple Paramount-owned platforms. Streaming on Paramount+ the following day helped, but it’s clear that linear broadcast visibility is now key to the show’s survival.
MTV’s Identity Crisis Hits Hard
MTV’s decline has been years in the making. The cancellation of ‘Total Request Live’ in 2008 was a turning point, signaling a move away from music programming and toward reality TV. As Gen Z continues to discover music independently online, MTV’s curated format has become outdated.
In 2023, MTV laid off 25% of its domestic staff and shut down MTV News, solidifying its strategic pivot away from music journalism. The brand that once defined music television is now being reshaped by its parent company, Paramount, for a multiplatform future.
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A New Home and a New Hope?
This year’s VMAs will be held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, offering a new setting for a show in reinvention mode. The strategy mirrors that of the CMT Music Awards, which also transitioned to CBS in 2024 with apparent success.
The shift acknowledges a hard truth: cable networks alone can no longer sustain major cultural events. CBS, with its mass appeal and distribution power, represents a lifeline for MTV’s most recognizable property.
What’s Next for Music TV?
Whether this move can recapture the VMAs’ cultural significance remains to be seen. What is clear is that music television, as defined by MTV, is no longer a trendsetter. Today’s tastemakers are algorithms, playlists, and viral clips—not music video countdowns or cable premieres.
The VMAs’ migration to CBS isn’t just a broadcast decision—it’s a symbol of survival in a rapidly evolving entertainment ecosystem. MTV may no longer dictate what’s cool, but the VMAs are doing what they must to stay in the conversation.
