MTV VMAs Ratings Update: Bigger Increase Than Thought: The Taylor Swift- Madonna Combo Was a Success Despite Criticism

2026 VMAs Reports 11-Year Viewership High

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on CBS and simulcast on MTV delivered 8.43 million viewers, making it the most-watched VMAs since 2015.

MTV Video Music Awards Scores Big For CBS

The MTV Video Music Awards may not have the same meaning as it did in the 1990s but it’s clear that this year’s event had more juice than in a number of years. Per Nielsen’s fast nationals, the ceremony hit an 11-year high and was up over 50% over the numbers from last year. Obviously, […]

CBS and MTV VMAs Attract a Combined 8.4 Million Viewers, Making it the Most-Watched Since 2015 and Up 51% From Last Year

The Moon Man still has some life. CBS’ and MTV’s coverage of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards averaged a combined 8.43 million viewers on Sunday night, according to Nielsen Live+same day fast nationals. Those numbers are subject to change once finals are in, but for now that makes it the most-watched VMAs in 11 […]

VMAs 2026 Tally Biggest Audience Since 2015 With 8.4 Million Viewers on CBS and MTV

MTV’s Video Music Awards returned to Los Angeles with a bang, bringing in its biggest audience since 2015. The star-studded show, which aired live from the Peacock Theater, scored 8.43 million viewers across CBS and MTV, which also included an encore run on MTV, according to fast national live-plus-same-day Nielsen figures. That’s up 51% from the 2025 show, which brought in 5.6 million viewers across CBS and MTV, also including the MTV encore. L…

2026 VMAs Was Taylor-Made for Big Viewership Boost, 51% Increase

The VMAs reached 8.4 million viewers, an 11-year high.

MTV VMAs Ratings Update: Bigger Increase Than Thought: The Taylor Swift- Madonna Combo Was a Success Despite Criticism

This is a rarity, but I’m going to call this a correction. The early numbers for the MTV Video Music Awards were wrong, The show did a lot better than I originally reported. I had a feeling they would improve– and they did. The linear number on CBS was actually 7.6 million. Adding in MTV, […]