MTV’s Video Music Awards Draw Largest Multi-Network Audience In 4 Years

Once again buoyed by Taylor Swift and her several big wins, the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards delivered its biggest audience in four years.

Hosted by Megan Thee Stallion, the awards show managed 3.11M viewers during its premiere telecast across 13 networks, representing a 25% boost compared to last year, according to early Nielsen data. When including encore showings, the audience grew to 4.09M, up 8% from last year’s 3.78M.

In addition to MTV, the show was also simulcast on BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TVLand & VH1. 

Paramount Global also touted 66.7M social interactions, which apparently beats the Super Bowl and came in second only to the 2024 Presidential Debate on Tuesday night between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. It’s the “most social” VMAs telecast ever.

To put that number in perspective, last year the company said that the award show drew just 46M social impressions.

Swift, who came in with 10 nominations, led the pack at the awards show with five wins in total including Artists of the Year and Video of the Year for “Fortnight,” her duet with Post Malone. Other wins came from Ariana Grande, Eminem, Megan Thee Stallion and SZA. Sabrina Carpenter won Song of the Year (“Espresso”) while Chappell Roan won Best New Artist.

Meanwhile, Katy Perry received this year’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. She also won for Most Iconic Performance. See the full winners list here.