Plot Synopsis

Since 1984, MTV has awarded Moonman statues for the best music videos during the previous year. Although mainly an awards show with live performances and tributes, the Video Music Awards have become the place for music celebs to be seen and heard while sometimes creating controversy. Some of the VMAs most memorable moments are those that are planned, like reunions (Kiss; Van Halen) and the 2003 Madonna-Britney-Christina performance, but the most relevant pop-culture moments are spontaneous, such as Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift in 2009 during her acceptance speech for Best Female video.

The 2013 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS, which had no host, aired from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY at 9pm ET (live)/PT (tape) on Sunday, August 25, 2013 on MTV, MTV2, VH1 and Logo, with performances by Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Drake, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

The 2014 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS, which again had no host, aired live from The Forum in Inglewood, CA at 9pm ET on Sunday, August 24, 2014 (tape delayed at 9pm PT for the West Coast) on MTV, MTV2, VH1 and Logo, with performances by Usher, 5 Seconds of Summer, Maroon 5, Iggy Azalea with Rita Ora, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Sam Smith, and the trio of Jessie J, Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande performing "Bang, Bang."

On Sunday, August 30, 2015 at 9pm ET (live)/PT (tape), MTV premiered the 2015 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, with simulcasts on MTV2, VH1, VH1 Classic, BET, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, TV Land, and Centric. Hosted by Miley Cyrus, the event featured: Kanye West, Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award Recipient; Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber, Pharrell Williams, Demi Lovato, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Weeknd, Tori Kelly, A$AP Rocky, Twenty One Pilots, Nick Jonas, WALK THE MOON, and more.

The 2016 VMAs aired LIVE from New York's iconic Madison Square Garden for the first time ever on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at 9pm ET (live)/PT (tape) on MTV, with a simulcast on MTV2, VH1, BET, CMT, Logo, MTV Classic, Spike, Comedy Central, Centric and TV Land. This year, there is no host, but Michael Phelps and the Final Five gymnasts are presenters, along with Jimmy Fallon, Kim Kardashian, Alicia Keys, Puff Daddy, and many more celebs. Rihanna receives the Video Vangaurd award. Plus, performers include: Nick Jonas, who performs his hit single "Bacon" ft. Ty Dolla $ign; Britney Spears, who performs "Make Me..." ft. G-Eazy from her new, ninth studio album, Glory; and Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj sing "Side to Side."

The 2018 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS premiered live from Radio City Music Hall on Monday, August 20, 2018 at 8pm ET (live)/PT (tape) on MTV, with a simulcast on VH1, BET, MTV2, TV Land, Logo, CMT, Comedy Central, Paramount, BET Her, and MTV Classic. The program has no host, but features performances by Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes, Aerosmith, Panic! at the Disco, Travis Scott, Post Malone, and Logic with Ryan Tedder. In addition, Jennifer Lopez, who will be honored with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, is also set to perform at the VMAs for the first time since 2001. Cardi B, who has 10 nominations, opens the awards, but will not perform.

On Monday, August 26, 2019 at 8pm ET (live)/PT (tape), MTV premiered the 2019 MTV MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS, with a simulcast on VH1, BET, MTV2, TV Land, Logo, CMT, Comedy Central, Paramount, BET Her, and MTV Classic. Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco hosts from Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, with performances by Big Sean featuring A$AP Ferg, H.E.R., Normani, Ozuna, Bad Bunny, Camila Cabello, J Balvin, Jonas Brothers, Lil Nas X, Lizzo, Rosalia, Shawn Mendes, and Taylor Swift. Music icon Missy Elliott receives the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and also performs live, returning to the VMAs stage for the first time since 2003. Plus, Marc Jacobs is the first-ever recipient of the MTV Fashion Trailblazer Award. The new award honors a fashion designer who has made an indelible impact within the world of music-artist fashion. As part of the VMAs, Jacobs and his design team worked with MTV to create a multimedia activation on the red carpet highlighting his creative vision.

Hosted by Keke Palmer, the 2020 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS return to New York City on Sunday, August 30 and are broadcast live at 8pm ET/5pm PT on MTV, with a simulcast on multiple other Viacom channels, including The CW, VH1, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Logo, TV Land, Pop, CMT, BET Her, and MTV2. This year's program features two new awards: Best Music Video From Home and Best Quarantine Performance.

The 2021 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS premiered on Sunday, September 12 at 8pm ET/5pm PT on MTV, with a simulcast on multiple other Viacom channels, including The CW, VH1, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Logo, TV Land, Pop, CMT, BET Her, and MTV2. Returning to the Barclay Center for live performances, the 2021 VMAS, hosted by Doja Cat, feature performances by Kacey Musgraves, Camila Cabello, Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow, Olivia Rodrigo, Normani, Foo Fighters, Chloe, Justin Bieber & The Kid Laroi, Alicia Keys & Swae Lee, Anitta, Machine Gun Kelly & Travis Barker, Ozuna, Tainy and Shawn Mendes, Twenty One Pilots, and more.

On Sunday, August 28, 2022 from 8-11pm ET/5-8pm PT, MTV premiered the 2022 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS, with a simulcast on multiple other Viacom channels, including The CW, VH1, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Logo, TV Land, Pop, CMT, BET Her, and MTV2. LL Cool J, Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow emcee the program, which airs live from Prudential Center in New Jersey. Minaj is also receiving the Vanguard Award, while performers Red Hot Chili Peppers are the 2022 VMA Global Icon Award Recipient. Additional performers include Anitta, Blackpink, J Balvin, Lizzo, Maneskin, Panic! At The Disco, Kane Brown, and hosts Harlow and Minaj. Also, Bad Bunny will be broadcast live from Yankee Stadium. Plus, the event features collaborations from Eminem and Snoop Dogg, as well as Marshmello and Khalid. Presenters included Ashley Graham, Avril Lavigne, Bebe Rexha, Becky G, Billy Eichner, comedy duo Cheech and Chong, Chloe Bailey, Dixie D'Amelio, DJ Khaled, Dove Cameron, Joel Madden, Latto, Lili Reinhart, and Offset.
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Hosted by Nicki Minaj live from New Jersey's Prudential Center, the 2023 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS debuted on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 8pm ET/5pm PT on MTV, with a simulcast on multiple other Viacom channels, including The VH1, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Logo, TV Land, Pop, CMT, BET Her, and MTV2.

Performers include Anitta, Cardi B, Demi Lovato, Doja Cat, Fall Out Boy, Karol G, Kelsea Ballerini, Lil Wayne, Maneskin, Megan Thee Stallion, Metro Boomin with Future, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Swae Lee & NAV, Nelly, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Shakira, Stray Kids and TOMORROW X TOGETHER.

Sean "Diddy" Combs accepts the Global Icon Award, performing live for the first time since 2005. Shakira receives the Video Vanguard Award, and performs live for the first time since 2006.

Presenters include Bebe Rexha, Charli D'Amelio, Coco Jones, Dixie D'Amelio, Emily Ratajkowski, French Montana, GloRilla, Ice Spice, Jared Leto, Madelyn Cline, Rita Ora and Sabrina Carpenter.

The ceremony closes out with a finale performance featuring an iconic lineup of some of MTV's most celebrated artists, including DMC, Doug E. Fresh, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and LL COOL J, who join previously announced performers Lil Wayne and show emcee Nicki Minaj, for a tribute to Hip Hop's 50th anniversary.

Before the VMAs, MTV (and MTV2, CMT, and Logo) present the VMA pre-show from 6:30-8pm ET/3:30-5pm PT. NLE Choppa and Sabrina Carpenter are set to perform during the 90-minute event, hosted by rap star Saweetie with Nessa, Dometi and Kevan Kenney.