What To Expect At TODAY'S 2024 MTV VMAs (Including Marking 40 Years For Both Themselves & Celebrating W/ Def Jam Anniversary Tribute.) Plus How To Watch The Awards Online For Free, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

What To Expect At The 2024 MTV VMAs (Including Marking 40 Years For Both Themselves & Celebrating W/ Def Jam Anniversary Tribute.) Plus How To Watch The Awards Online For Free, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m.ET/PT.

"“We’ve been going since Saturday,” says Gillmer of the preparations to throw what will be the 40th anniversary of MTV’s signature award show on Wednesday (Sept 11). On Monday, Gillmer and his team rehearsed with the rapper LL COOL J. “He’s a legendary MTV artist returning to the stage to celebrate a milestone of one of hip-hop’s most groundbreaking labels: Def Jam,” he reveals of the tribute to the label which also celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, before teasing: “He may even bring some friends along.”

In the past four decades, the VMAs have stayed steady as a culture-moving, irreverent event, frequently sending shockwaves around the music world. (Kanye West interrupts Taylor Swift! Miley Cyrus twerks! Britney Spears and Madonna kiss!) But while music videos used to be in heavy rotation on the network, these days the only time a video may air on MTV is during the annual show. Nevertheless, the ceremony has managed to soldier on despite changing consumption habits (certain award categories have dropped the keyword “video,” and some voting takes place over Instagram Stories) and societal norms (its signature trophy the Moon Man is now the Moon Person).

“This might be the biggest scale production we’ve ever done,” says Gillmer of 2024’s iteration, which will acknowledge the four-decade milestone. “We’re going to be revisiting some of the show’s most iconic moments that made the VMAs the pop culture beast it is today,” he explains. That includes harkening back to its debut on Sept. 14th, 1984. (Hosts: Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler; video of the year: “You Might Think” by The Cars). “One of the look backs will be at that first show from Radio City Music Hall,” says Gillmer. “It’s a homecoming of sorts, so we’ll celebrate turning 40 by flashing back to moments on stage and screen.”

"Megan Thee Stallion is set to host and perform at the 2024 MTV VMAs, which air live on Wednesday, Sept. 11 from New York’s UBS Arena at 8 p.m. ET/PT. For even more music, tune into the 2024 VMAs preshow, hosted by Nessa, Dometi Pongo and Kevan Kenney, airing live at 6:30 p.m. ET/PT just before the main show.

Keep reading for everything you need to know ahead of music’s big night: the nominees, the performers, the opener and how to stream the 2024 MTV VMAs live online without cable, including for free.

At a Glance: How to Watch the MTV VMAs

When Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

Channel MTV, MTV2, Univision, BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TVLand, VH1; Pre-Show airing on MTV, MTV2, CMT, Logo

Stream online DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Philo, Sling

How to Watch the MTV VMAs and Pre-Show: Date, Time

In addition to airing live on MTV on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, the main show will also be simulcast live on Univision and MTV sister networks BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TVLand and VH1, with an encore airing on UniMás at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT. The show will also be available the following day on-demand on Paramount+.

The 2024 VMAs preshow airs live from 6:30 p.m. ET/PT until 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, MTV2, CMT and Logo.

How to Watch the MTV VMAs and Pre-Show Online Without Cable, Including for Free

Cord-cutters can stream the ceremony online on any live TV streaming service that carries MTV and other networks airing the event, including DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Philo and Sling. The award show will also be available to watch on-demand the following day on Paramount+.

Select streamers are offering free trials and limited-time discounts, allowing you to livestream the VMAs for free; keep reading below to learn more about each option.

How to Watch 2024 MTV VMAs Online Free: Video Music Awards Livestream

DirecTV

DirecTV Stream

Five-day free trial; packages from $79.98 per month

get directv stream

Watch the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on Paramount Network and other included channels for free with a five-day free trial to DirecTV Stream, which starts at $79.98 per month for the Entertainment + Sports Pack. The cable streamer offers more than 90 channels, including NBC, CNN, CBS, Disney Channel, E!, MSNBC, Nickelodeon and HGTV.

Other plans offer over 125-160 channels, with prices ranging from $88.99 to $99.99 per month. Learn more about package options and ways to save here.

Fubo

Seven-day free trial; packages from $79.99 per month

get fubo

Fubo carries MTV and offers a seven-day free trial, allowing new subscribers to watch the VMAs for free.

The cable streamer carries over 200 other news, entertainment and sports channels, and subscriptions start at $79.99 per month for the Pro package, which is currently on sale for $49.99 for the first month. You can record over 1,000 hours of TV shows, movies, games and more (including Monday, Thursday and Sunday night football) and watch later on your smartphone, tablet or TV.

Other plans include the Elite package (301 channels for $99.99 monthly and currently on sale for $69.99 for the first month) and the Premier tier that comes with 322 channels, NFL RedZone, Showtime and 4K quality for $109.99 monthly and currently on sale for $79.99 for the first month.

How to Watch 2024 MTV VMAs Online Free: Video Music Awards Livestream

Hulu

Hulu + Live TV

Three-day free trial; packages from $76.99 per month

Get Hulu + live TV, disney+, ESPN+

Watch the 2024 VMAs for free with a three-day trial to Hulu + Live TV, which comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+, starting at $76.99 per month. Available with or without ads, the live TV streamer also carries ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 90 other major cable news, entertainment and sports channels. Plus, through Sept. 11, subscribe to Hulu + Live TV and get $30 back on your first month.

How to Watch 2024 MTV VMAs Online Free: Video Music Awards Livestream

Philo

Philo

Seven-day free trial; packages from $28 per month

GET Philo

The streamer offers a seven-day free trial, allowing you to watch the 2024 VMAs for free. After that, Philo’s live TV subscription costs $28 per month and includes MTV, BET, VH1 and more than 70 other classic TV, lifestyle and news channels. Subscribers can stream on up to three devices simultaneously, create up to 10 profiles and save unlimited live or future shows for up to one year.

How to Watch 2024 MTV VMAs Online Free: Video Music Awards Livestream

Sling

Sling

Packages on sale from $15 for first month

Get sling

You can watch the MTV VMAs using Sling which carries BET. Right now, you can save $25 on your first month, meaning packages start at just $15 (reg. $40) for the first month for eligible new subscribers. Depending on your selected package, the streamer carries 35 or more channels, including ESPN, Disney Channel, and other entertainment, news and sports networks.

How to Watch 2024 MTV VMAs Online Free: Video Music Awards Livestream

Paramount Global

Paramount+

Seven-day free trial; packages from $7.99 per month

get Paramount+

Watch the 2024 MTV VMAs on-demand the following day for free with a week-long free trial of Paramount+.

After that, Paramount+ costs $7.99 per month for the ad-supported Essential plan or $12.99 monthly for the ad-free Paramount+ with Showtime bundle; save when you sign up for an annual package ($59.99 or $119.99 per year, respectively). Plus, through Sept. 23, enjoy 50 percent off annual plans, meaning you can snag the Paramount+ Essential plan for just $29.99 for your first year and the Paramount+ with Showtime bundle for $59.99 for your first year.

Subscriptions come with access to thousands of hours of movies and TV series." - Hollywoodreporter.com