Stage at The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) red carpet rollout and media day at the Peacock Theater on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. Matthew Taplinger/CBS via Getty Images If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission.
While Snoop Dogg is no stranger to the VMAs, having made his performance debut in 1994, the 2026 awards show marks his very first time serving as host. This year’s Video Music Awards will be broadcast on Sept. 27 at 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET on both CBS and MTV, available to stream live with any service that carries either of the two networks, namely DirecTV (with a five-day free trial), Philo (with a seven-day free trial), Fubo (with a one-day free trial) or Hulu + Live TV.
livestream vmas free with directv 5-day trial livestream vmas free with philo 7-day trialAlternatively, the 2026 VMAs will stream live with a Paramount+ Premium subscription or the following day with Paramount+ Essential, and while the service no longer offers a free trial of its own, Paramount+ Premium is currently complimentary for three months with DirecTV’s Entertainment, Choice or Ultimate Signature packages. Alternatively, the Premier package, DirecTV’s top-tier Signature package, includes Paramount+ Premium at no extra cost as part of its premium channel lineup. These are both on top of DirecTV’s standard five-day free trial.
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get directv free trial with paramount+ premium, cbs and MTV includedAt a Glance: How to Watch the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards
- When: Sunday, Sept. 27, 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel: CBS, MTV
- Stream online: DirecTV, Philo, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV; available to stream next day with Paramount+ Essential or live with Paramount+ Premium (which is also available via DirecTV, included in its free trial)
Where to Watch VMAs 2026: Air Date, Time, Channel
The 2026 MTV VMAs air live on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 4:30 p.m. PT/7:30 p.m. ET on both MTV and CBS.
Where to Stream VMAs 2026 Live Online
Since the awards show airs on CBS and MTV, it will also be available to watch live on any streaming service that carries either of the noted networks, including DirecTV (with a five-day free trial), Philo (with a seven-day free trial), Fubo (with a one-day free trial) or Hulu + Live TV.
livestream ‘vmas’ free with directv trialThe VMAs will also be available to stream live and on demand with a Paramount+ Premium subscription or the following day with Paramount+ Essential. While the service no longer offers a free trial of its own, customers can claim three complimentary months of Paramount+ Premium (and a host of other add-ons) with DirecTV’s Entertainment, Choice or Ultimate packages, which also offer the aforementioned five-day free trial period. Alternatively, the Premier package, DirecTV’s top-tier package, includes Paramount+ indefinitely as part of its standard streaming lineup.
get directv free trial with paramount+ premium includedMore on each live TV streaming option below.
DIRECTV DirecTV
Five-day free trial; packages from $19.99 per month Directv free trialBoth CBS and MTV are included in any of DirecTV’s signature packages: Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate or Premier. Plus, DirecTV offers a five-day free trial for its streaming service, meaning new subscribers can tune in to the 2026 awards show at no cost.
Learn more about each plan option, including how to build your own channel lineup (starting at just $19.99 per month), at directv.com.
Philo
Seven-day free trial; packages from $25 per month Philo free trialWatch MTV on Philo, one of the most affordable cable alternatives. Following the Essential plan’s seven-day free trial period, a subscription costs just $25 per month for 70-plus channels.
Fubo Fubo
One-day free trial; packages from $64.99 per month ($54.99 for first month) Fubo Free trialCBS and MTV are available to stream with a subscription to Fubo, which offers a one-day free trial for new subscribers. After the trial, plans start at $54.99 for the first month and $64.99 monthly thereafter.
Hulu Hulu + Live TV
Three-day free trial; packages from $89.99 per month Get Hulu + live TVWatch CBS and MTV with Hulu + Live TV, which offers a three-day free trial. Subscriptions come bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+, and start at $89.99 per month.
Will Taylor Swift Be at the VMAs?
Yes, Taylor Swift is expected to attend the awards show, receiving the first-ever MTV VMA Artist Director Honors. While Swift and Beyoncé are currently tied with 30 Video Music Awards each, this honor will take Swift to 31 wins, making the singer-songwriter the most awarded person in VMAs history.
VMA Performers, Tributes 2026
Madonna is set to open the show. Lisa, Shaboozey, Raye, Sienna Spiro, GENER8ION, Gunna and Yung Lean are also on this year’s performer lineup.
Kacey Musgraves will lead a special tribute to Dolly Parton, while Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims will honor George Michael.
VMA Presenters, Host 2026
Teyana Taylor, Charli xcx, Belmont Cameli, Alex Warren, Ciara Miller, David Corenswet, Ella Bright, Isabel May, Jeff Probst, Rachel Dratch, Tyla and Troye Sivan are among the 2026 presenters. Snoop Dogg, who has been nominated 13 times and won three VMAs throughout his career, will serve as 2026 host.
VMA Nominations 2026
Madonna leads this year’s nominations with 11, while Taylor Swift follows closely behind with nine. Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande are tied for third with seven apiece. See the full list of 2026 VMA nominees here.
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