How to Watch the MTV VMAs Online for Free Without Cable

Emceed by Megan Thee Stallion, the Video Music Awards air tonight, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT — here's everything you need to know about the performers, top honors and how to watch (including for free).

By Danielle Directo-Meston, Erin Lassner

September 11, 2024 1:47pm

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How to Watch the MTV Video Music Awards and Pre-Show Online for Free Without Cable

Megan Thee Stallion and Eminem Courtesy of mtv.com

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The 40th annual MTV Video Music Awards are just a few hours away. 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 pre-show, 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.

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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 pre-show 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 livestream 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Can Viewers Watch the VMAs on Paramount Plus?

The Video Music Awards will be available to stream on-demand on Paramount+ the day after it airs live (on Sept. 12). See more details on how to watch the VMAs on Paramount+ for free with a week-long trial below.

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. Learn more about package options and ways to save here.

How to Watch the MTV VMAs and Pre-Show Online With Cable

Cable subscribers can watch the 2024 MTV VMAs and pre-show live on MTV directly through their provider’s smart TV or mobile apps or at MTV.com by logging in with their account credentials, including traditional and streaming services such as Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Verizon and Xfinity.

Who Is Opening the VMAs?

Eminem is set to open the 2024 MTV VMAs with the first TV show performance from his latest album, The Death of Slim Shady. The rapper could become the most awarded solo male artist in show history, with just one win from his eight nominations this year. Read more about Eminem’s opening performance and nominations here.

Is Taylor Swift Performing at the VMAs?

Taylor Swift leads the 2024 VMA nominations with 12 nods. She was also the most nominated artist at the 2023 MTV VMAs. Swift already has a total of 23 Moonman awards, meaning there’s a possibility she can break Beyoncé’s record tonight for the most MTV VMAs won by a solo artist ever. While there are rumors swirling online that Swift might perform, this is not confirmed. Her attendance also has not been confirmed, but there is speculation she will be there with boyfriend Travis Kelce.

Who Is Hosting the VMAs?

Megan Thee Stallion is set to host the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. This will mark the artist’s first-ever awards show hosting gig. Nicki Minaj hosted the 2023 VMAs after co-hosting with LL Cool J and Jack Harlow in 2022.

MTV VMAs 2024: Nominees and Honorees

Taylor Swift and Post Malone are the leading nominees at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, with 12 and 11 nominations respectively. Eminem has eight; Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, Sabrina Carpenter and SZA each have seven; and Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, GloRilla, LISA, Olivia Rodrigo and Teddy Swims each have four.

Check out the full list of MTV VMA nominees here and the full list of social category nominees here. The four social categories indicate the categories fans can vote in, and include Song of the Summer, Best Group, VMAs Most Iconic Performance and Best Trending Video.

Katy Perry Is the 2024 Video Vanguard Award honoree. This is otherwise known as the Lifetime Achievement Award, which Shakira received in 2023.

If you’re looking for all the award recipients, The Hollywood Reporter is updating the list of winners as the event airs live in New York.

Sabrina Carpenter VMA Nominations

“It” girl Sabrina Carpenter is up for seven awards this year, including six in the main categories and one in the social categories. This marks her first time being nominated for an MTV Video Music Award, although she did perform live at the 2023 VMA pre-show.

She is nominated for Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Editing, Best Art Direction and Song of the Summer.

MTV VMAs 2024: Performers

Confirmed performers at the 2024 VMAs include Anitta, Benson Boone, Camila Cabello, Chappell Roan, Eminem (opener), GloRilla, Halsey, Karol G, Lenny Kravitz, Blackpink’s Lisa, LL Cool J, Megan Thee Stallion (also hosting), Rauw Alejandro, Sabrina Carpenter and Shawn Mendes.

The five-member K-pop girl group Le Sserafim is performing at the pre-show. Plus, Jessie Murph and Teddy Swims are making their VMA debuts on the Extended Play Stage.

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