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The 40th annual MTV Video Music Awards are upon us. Megan Thee Stallion is set to host and perform at the 2024 MTV VMAs, airing live on Wednesday, September 11 from New York City’s UBS Arena at 8:00 PM ET/PT. For even more music, tune in to the 2024 VMAs preshow, hosted by Nessa, Dometi Pongo and Kevan Kenney, airing live at 6:30 PM ET/PT just before the main show.
Read on to find out everything you need to know before music’s big night: the nominees, the performers, the opening act, and how to stream the 2024 MTV VMAs live online without cable, even for free.
In Brief: How to Watch the MTV VMAs
- When Wednesday, September 11 at 8:00 PM ET/PT
- Channel MTV, MTV2, Univision, BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TVLand, VH1; Pre-Show broadcast on MTV, MTV2, CMT, Logo
- Stream online Streaming DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Philo, Sling
How to Watch the MTV VMAs and Pre-Show: Date, Time
In addition to airing live on MTV on Wednesday, September 11 at 8:00 PM ET/PT, the main show will be simulcast live on Univision and MTV sister networks BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TVLand and VH1, with a repeat airing on UniMás at 11:30 PM ET/PT. The show will also be available the following day on demand on Paramount+.
The 2024 VMAs Preliminary Show will air live from 6:30 PM ET/PT to 8:00 PM ET/PT on MTV, MTV2, CMT and Logo.
How to Watch the MTV VMAs & Pre-Show Online Without Cable, Even for Free
Cord cutters can stream the ceremony online on any live TV streaming service that carries MTV and other networks that carry the event, including DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Philo, and Sling. The awards show will also be available on demand the following day on Paramount+.
Select streamers are offering free trials and limited-time discounts, allowing you to stream the VMAs for free; read on to learn more about each option.
DirecTV Stream
Five-day free trial; packages starting at $79.98 per month
Watch the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on Paramount Network and more channels included for free with a five-day free trial on DirecTV Stream, starting at $79.98 per month for the Entertainment + Sports Pack. The cable streamer offers more than 90 channels, including NBC, CNN, CBS, Disney Channel, E!, MSNBC, Nickelodeon and HGTV.
Other plans offer upwards of 125-160 channels, with prices ranging from $88.99 to $99.99 per month. Learn more about package options and ways to save here.
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Seven-day free trial; packages starting at $79.99/month
Fubo broadcasts MTV and offers a seven-day free trial, allowing new subscribers to watch the VMAs for free.
The cable streamer carries over 200 other news, entertainment and sports channels, and subscriptions start at $79.99 per month for the Pro package, which is currently on sale for $49.99 for the first month. You can record over 1,000 hours of TV, movies, games and more (including Monday, Thursday and Sunday night football) and watch them later on your smartphone, tablet or TV.
Other plans include the Elite package (301 channels for $99.99 per month and currently on sale for $69.99 for the first month) and the Premier tier which includes 322 channels, NFL RedZone, Showtime, and 4K quality for $109.99 per month and currently on sale for $79.99 for the first month.
Hulu + Live TV
Three-day free trial; packages starting at $76.99/month
Watch the 2024 VMAs for free with a three-day trial of Hulu + Live TV, which comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+, starting at $76.99 per month. Available with or without commercials, the live TV stream also airs ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 90 other top cable channels covering news, entertainment and sports. Plus, through September 11, sign up for Hulu + Live TV and get $30 back on your first month.
Filone
Seven-day free trial; packages from $28 per month
The streamer offers a seven-day free trial, which lets you watch the 2024 VMAs for free. After that, Philo’s live TV subscription is $28 per month and includes MTV, BET, VH1, and over 70 other classic, lifestyle, and news TV channels. Subscribers can stream on up to three devices at once, create up to 10 profiles, and save unlimited live or future shows for up to a year.
Sling
Packages on sale starting at $15 for the first month
You can watch the MTV VMAs using Sling, which is streaming BET. Right now, you can save $25 on your first month, which means packages start at just $15 (reg. $40) for the first month for eligible new subscribers. Depending on the package you select, the streamer broadcasts 35 or more channels, including ESPN, Disney Channel, and other entertainment, news, and sports networks.
Will viewers be able to watch the MTV Video Music Awards on Paramount Plus?
The Video Music Awards will be available to stream on demand on Paramount+ the day after they air live (September 12). Find out more details below on how to watch the VMAs on Paramount+ for free with a one-week trial.
Paramount+
Seven-day free trial; packages starting at $7.99/month
Watch the 2024 MTV VMAs on-demand the next day for free with a one-week free trial of Paramount+.
After that, Paramount+ is $7.99 per month for the ad-supported Essential plan or $12.99 per month for the ad-free Paramount+ with Showtime bundle; save when you sign up for an annual package ($59.99 or $119.99 per year, respectively). Plus, through September 23, enjoy 50 percent off annual plans, meaning you can snag the Paramount+ Essential plan for just $29.99 for your first year and the Paramount+ with Showtime bundle for $59.99 for your first year.
Memberships give you access to thousands of hours of movies and TV shows. Learn more about package options and ways to save here.
How to Watch the MTV VMAs and Pre-Show Online With Cable
Cable subscribers can watch the 2024 MTV VMAs and Pre-Show live on MTV directly on their provider’s smart TV or mobile apps, or on MTV.com by signing in with their account credentials, including traditional and streaming services like Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Verizon and Xfinity.
Who will open the MTV Video Music Awards?
Eminem to open 2024 MTV VMAs with first-ever televised performance of his latest album, The Death of Slim Shady. The rapper could become the most awarded male solo artist in the show’s history, with just one win out of eight nominations this year. Read more about Eminem’s opening performance and nominations here.
Will Taylor Swift Perform at the MTV Video Music Awards?
Taylor Swift leads the 2024 VMA nominations with 12 nods. She was also the most nominated artist at the 2023 MTV VMAs. While rumors are circulating online that Swift may perform, this is unconfirmed.
Who hosts the MTV Video Music Awards?
Megan Thee Stallion is set to host the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. This will mark the artist's first awards show. Nicki Minaj hosted the 2023 VMAs after co-hosting with LL Cool J and Jack Harlow in 2022.
MTV VMA 2024: Nominees and Winners
Taylor Swift and Post Malone are the top nominees for the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. Check out the full list of MTV VMA nominees here and the full list of social category nominees here. The four social categories indicate the categories in which fans can vote, including Song of the Summer, Best Group, Most Iconic VMA Performance, and Best Trending Video.
Katy Perry is the winner of the 2024 Video Vanguard Award. This is otherwise known as the Lifetime Achievement Award, which Shakira received in 2023.
MTV VMA 2024: artists
Confirmed performers for the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards include Anitta, Benson Boone, Camila Cabello, Chappell Roan, Eminem (opening act), GloRilla, Halsey, Karol G, Lenny Kravitz, Blackpink’s Lisa, LL Cool J, Megan Thee Stallion (also hosting), Rauw Alejandro, Sabrina Carpenter and Shawn Mendes.
Five-piece K-pop girl group Le Sserafim will perform at the preshow. Additionally, Jessie Murph and Teddy Swims will make their VMA debut on the Extended Play Stage.