What the VMAs Are and How They Started
The VMAs, or MTV Video Music Awards, are an annual awards show that recognizes achievements in music videos. The first ceremony was held in 1984 at New York City. The show is produced by MTV and later owned by ViacomCBS, now Paramount Global, with the broadcast typically airing on MTV and its sibling networks.
The VMAs were created to celebrate the growing importance of music videos in pop culture. The first show featured performances by Madonna and David Bowie and introduced the iconic moonman trophy. The awards are determined by a mix of public voting and industry nominations, with categories spanning genres and formats.
Key Categories and Recent Winners
The main categories include Video of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Collaboration, and genre-specific awards like Best Pop, Best Hip-Hop, and Best Latin. In the most recent ceremony, Taylor Swift led nominations and won Video of the Year for "Anti-Hero." Other major winners included SZA, Doja Cat, and Morgan Wallen, reflecting the current streaming-driven music landscape.
Other notable categories are Best Direction, Best Choreography, and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, which honors an artist's overall impact on music videos. The show also features the Song of the Summer category, which is voted on during the broadcast. Voting typically opens weeks before the ceremony on MTV's official website and partner platforms.
How the VMAs Work and Where to Watch
The VMAs are produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and broadcast live, usually in late August or early September. The show is filmed at a major venue in the United States, with recent locations including the UBS Arena in New York. The ceremony features live performances, acceptance speeches, and collaborations across music, fashion, and internet culture.
Viewers can watch the VMAs on MTV, Paramount+, and simulcast on other ViacomCBS networks and platforms. The show is also streamed internationally through MTV's local channels and partners. For the latest nominees, voting details, and broadcast times, visit the official MTV VMAs page at MTV VMAs or check coverage on Forbes.