The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are set to bring music’s biggest stars together for a live show from Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27. The VMAs are a must-watch night for red-carpet fashion, major performances and headline-making award wins. The ceremony will be hosted by Snoop Dogg and broadcast live nationwide. Whether you watch with cable or stream from your phone, this guide explains the official ways to tune in. Here is the TV channel, streaming information and U.S. start time for the 2026 MTV VMAs.
Check the complete list of winners and official results for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. Explore category breakdowns, major award announcements including Video of the Year, performance highlights, and full trophy standings from tonight's ceremony. | Photo by MTV / Facebook / Depor
TV channel to watch the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards will air live on CBS and will be simulcast on MTV across the United States. The show is scheduled to run for two hours, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET and from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. PT. Viewers with a cable, satellite or live-TV package can check their local listings for the CBS affiliate and MTV channel number in their market. The live broadcast originates from Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater.
Streaming options to watch the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards
U.S. viewers can stream the 2026 VMAs live through Paramount+ Premium, which includes access to a local live CBS feed. Paramount+ Essential subscribers cannot watch the ceremony live, but can access it on demand beginning Monday, September 28. Live-TV streaming services that carry CBS or MTV, including Fubo, DIRECTV Stream and YouTube TV, may also offer access depending on the user’s market and subscription plan. Availability, local CBS access and free-trial terms can vary by provider, so viewers should confirm their plan before the show begins.
Get the official start times and full TV schedule for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. Review red carpet airtimes, main show broadcast details, and streaming options available for viewers tuning in across Eastern and Pacific time zones. | Photo by MTV / Facebook / Depor
2026 MTV Video Music Awards Start time by U.S. zone
The 2026 MTV VMAs begin live at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, September 27. For Hispanic audiences in New York, Miami and Orlando, that is 7:30 p.m. ET; viewers in Chicago, Houston and Dallas can tune in at 6:30 p.m. CT; fans in Denver will see the show at 5:30 p.m. MT; and those in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and other Pacific-area cities can watch at 4:30 p.m. PT. The nationally televised ceremony ends at 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT, although local coverage or programming may vary by station.
