VMAs Draw Highest Ratings in Years Despite Viewer Complaints

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards achieved their highest viewership in over a decade, drawing an average of 8.43 million viewers across CBS and MTV. This marks a 51% increase from the previous year's telecast.

The ceremony, headlined by performances and appearances from major stars like Taylor Swift and Madonna, aired on Sunday night and was simulcast on both the national broadcast network CBS and its traditional cable home, MTV. According to Nielsen Live+ same day fast nationals reported by Variety, these numbers represent the most-watched VMAs since 2015.

Despite the strong ratings, the show faced criticism from viewers who took to social media to express their discontent. Many described the ceremony as "boring" and urged MTV to "pull the plug" on the event, questioning its future relevance. Common complaints included a delayed start time, confusing speeches, and the absence of several prominent music artists.

The telecast experienced a delayed start due to an NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys running long. This pushed the VMAs' beginning by several minutes, causing frustration for fans eager to watch the opening performances. The official VMAs X account posted an update acknowledging the delay and directing viewers to CBS and Paramount+.

Several notable artists, including Ariana Grande, Zara Larsson, Olivia Rodrigo, and Lady Gaga, were absent from the event. Madonna's performance also drew criticism, with some viewers accusing her of lip-syncing and appearing out of breath. The 68-year-old performer also appeared to forget which award she was presenting, leading to further commentary online. The ceremony also excluded several major categories from its televised portion, such as Song of the Year, which also sparked backlash.

This year's broadcast was hosted by Snoop Dogg. The MTV Video Music Awards have been held annually since 1984 and have produced numerous iconic moments in music television history.