How to Watch the 2025 VMAs Live Online

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The VMAs are nearly here.

MTV’s award show, which kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday night from New York’s UBS Arena, will broadcast live across MTV, MTV2, BET, BET Her, CMT, CC, Logo, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TV Land and VH1. But the best way for cable-cutters to tune into the music-filled night is on Paramount+, whose annual plans are currently 50% off. Paramount+ Essential subscribers won’t be able to stream live but will have access to on-demand the day after the special.

 Lady Gaga is the frontrunner this year, having racked up a leading 12 nods in nominations. The Grammy-winning singer’s nominations are split between “Die WIth a Smile,” her duet with Bruno Mars, which has noms spread across many of the top general categories, and her “Mayhem” album’s “Abracadabra,” which picked up noms in every single one of the technical categories. Gaga’s big haul of nominations marks the third time she has been the leading contender for the VMAs, after she previously led the pack by picking up 13 in 2010 and nine in 2020.

Gaga’s dozen nominations are followed by 11 for Bruno Mars, 10 for Kendrick Lamar, eight apiece for Sabrina Carpenter and Rose, and seven each for Ariana Grande and the Weeknd. Billie Eilish landed six nods, and Charli XCX picked up five nominations. In a six-way tie with four nominations each are Bad Bunny, Doechii, Jelly Roll, Ed Sheeran, Tate McRae and Miley Cyrus. (See here to see the full list of nominees.)

The ceremony, hosted by LL Cool J, will also feature a jam-packed slate of performers, including Gaga, Jelly Roll, Doja Cat, Post Malone, Tate McRae, Conan Gray, Sabrina Carpenter, Ricky Martin, Busta Rhymes, J Balvin with DJ Snake, Alex Warren, and Sombr. Mariah Carey will also take the stage as the 2025 recipient of the Video Vanguard Award.

Stream the 2025 VMAs on Paramount+.