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CBS, MTV 2026 VMAs Ratings: 8.4 Million Viewers, Up 51% From Last Year - Variety
By Michael Schneider9/28/20261 min read
CBS and MTV VMAs ratings bring in combined 8.4 million viewers, making it the most-watched since 2015 and up 51% from last year.
✨ Key Highlights
- CBS and MTV's combined broadcast of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards drew 8.43 million viewers on Sunday, per Nielsen Live+same day fast nationals, marking the most-watched VMAs in 11 years and a 51% jump over 2025.
- The figure covers the CBS/MTV simulcast plus an MTV encore; last year's comparable telecast on the same networks delivered 5.60 million viewers.
- The CBS telecast alone averaged 7.61 million viewers (up 52%), MTV's simulcast added 686,000 (up 40%), and the MTV encore contributed 142,000 (up 31%).
- An NFL overrun—the Baltimore Ravens' win over the Dallas Cowboys—pushed the start to 7:51 p.m. ET and resulted in a tape delay on CBS, likely aiding the ratings.
- The show posted its strongest demo numbers in years: 3.11 million adults 25-54 (best since 2019, up 34%), 2.66 million adults 18-49 (best since 2018, up 32%), and roughly 1.09 million adults 18-34 (best since 2020, up 46%).
- Socially, the event generated 31.1 million interactions and 159 million video views, an 8% increase from last year, and opened with Madonna's first VMAs performance in 23 years alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX.
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 national