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MTV’s Video Music Awards show is back for another year, and it’s shaping up to be as star-studded as ever. If you don’t have MTV through traditional cable methods, we’ll highlight everything you need to know about where to watch the VMAs, including live streaming methods.
Fresh off her “Hot Girl Summer,” Megan Thee Stallion will host this year’s VMAs. She’s also slated to perform along with Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, and more. Eminem will open the show with a performance, and Katy Perry will do a medley of her greatest hits in honor of her Vanguard Award, which she’ll accept tonight.
Taylor Swift, who attended last year’s VMAs and might be there again tonight, leads the nominations count with 10 nods, including Artist of the Year and Video of the Year. Post Malone trails her with the second-highest number of nominations, thanks in no small part to the two artists’ “Fortnight” collaboration. Other top nominees include Eminem, Ariana Grande, SZA, Carpenter, and Stallion.
Whether you’re a fan of the awards show itself or you’re hoping to catch a specific artist live, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn where to watch the VMA’s and how to tune in from anywhere.
- See also: Taylor Swift tickets | Chappell Roan tickets | Gracie Abrams tickets | Sabrina Carpenter tickets | Billie Eilish tickets
Where to watch the VMAs in the US
The VMAs will air on MTV in the United States. If you’re a cord-cutter or MTV isn’t included in your current cable subscription, it might be time to explore a live TV package. Philo, Sling, or Fubo will be able to help you out today.
Philo is the cheapest option and also the most pared-down. The service costs $28 per month and comes with a one-week free trial. Philo offers over 70 live channels, including MTV, Lifetime, and AMC.
If you want your streaming service to cost less per month than a single trip for the family to Starbucks, Philo is made with you in mind. It features over 70 channels for just $25 a month, but it is missing popular sports and local networks.
Sling is another solid option. The service offers two base plans — Orange and Blue — that cost $40 per month. Or, you can bundle the two together for $55 per month. You can usually get your first month of service for half-off. Each plan carries about 35-42 live channels with some overlap (Orange has several ESPN channels, while Blue carries FX, USA, and local channels in select regions). MTV comes with the Entertainment Extra add-on, which can be combined with either base plan for an extra $6 per month.
If you’d rather not pay for the Entertainment Extra add-on and don’t care about getting MTV beyond the VMAs, you can catch the awards show on other Paramount-owned networks, including Comedy Central, which is available as a part of either Sling base plan.
For just the essentials without any extra fluff, Sling TV is the streaming service you’re looking for. It’s more customizable than other plans, with three options you can choose from, so you pay for only what you need. New members get their first month for $25 off.
Fubo is one of the best cable alternatives out there, offering MTV and more than 180 other live channels in its impressive lineup. This also means that the streaming service is one of the more expensive live TV packages, with subscriptions starting at $79.99 per month. However, first-time customers can get a one-week free trial of the service, and their first month will only cost $49.99.
Fubo is the streaming service for sports fans. Its huge library of channels includes regional and international sports leagues, setting it apart from the competition. You can also tack on additional programming to your plan, but it’ll cost you extra.
How to watch the VMAs from anywhere
So you have one of the above live TV services, but you’re traveling away from home and unable to access it — no need to worry, you can still tune into your subscriptions with the help of a VPN (virtual private network). VPNs enable people to change the virtual location on their electronic device, meaning that they can keep up with their usual websites and apps from anywhere. Since the services we’ve outlined today require a US payment method, this option will work best for Americans who are simply traveling abroad right now.
If you don’t already have a VPN, we recommend trying out ExpressVPN. It’s user-friendly, even for beginners, and has a hassle-free 30-day money-back guarantee. You can find additional details in our ExpressVPN review.
With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that makes it exceptional. Better yet, you can save up to 49% and get an extra three months for free today.
2024 VMAs Performers
The 2024 VMAs will be absolutely packed with performances. You can find the scheduled artists below, including Pre-Show and Extended Play Stage performers. While the VMAs are often known for surprises, here are the 18 confirmed performers for tonight:
- Anitta
- Benson Boone
- Camila Cabello
- Chappell Roan
- Eminem
- GloRilla
- Halsey
- Jessie Murph
- KAROL G
- Lenny Kravitz
- LE SSERAFIM
- LISA
- LL Cool J
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Rauw Alejandro
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Shawn Mendes
- Teddy Swims
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
Lillian Brown
Associate Editor of Streaming
Lillian Brown is the Associate Editor of Streaming for Business Insider. She joined the company in early 2024 as a Fellow before joining us full-time a few months later. She focuses on ‘how to watch’ guides for streaming services and live events for the Reviews team. She also covers VPN usage.Her entertainment writing has appeared in a variety of publications, including Vulture, TV Guide, Time, Esquire, and The Daily Beast, among others. She specializes in writing about film and television. Previously, she worked in the Living/Arts department of The Boston Globe.When not teaching people how to stream the best live sports and TV shows, Lillian can be found long-distance running, watching the latest season of For All Mankind, or playing through The Last of Us Part II on her PS4 yet again.
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