Ratings: MTV VMAs 2025 Delivers Biggest Viewership Since 2019

The VMAs are back in a major way!

Full story below…

After years of shaky ratings, the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards came, saw, and snatched.

Hosted by Hip-Hop legend LL Cool J, the spectacle not only served jaw-dropping performances but also delivered a monster 5.5 million viewers.

The lift comes after the show made its debut on CBS for the first time.

That’s a whopping 42% leap from last year’s Megan Thee Stallion–fronted ceremony (3.91M), making it the most-watched VMAs since 2019 – aka, the last “pre-pandemic” show – m ost-watched day of VMAs in 6 years.

Most-watched CBS entertainment special since the Grammys.

3rd-most streamed event on Paramount+ this year (only the Grammys & Golden Globes outdid it).

2.5 BILLION fan votes — up 121% from 2024.

1 BILLION video views

81.1M engagements (up 6%)

#VMAs held the #1 trend in the U.S. for 3 hours straight and dominated globally in 12 countries.

Performances were just as headline-grabbing as the stats. Critics singled out Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, and Doja Cat as the it girls of the night, while Mariah Carey’s Vanguard showing (introduced by Ariana Grande) had fans buzzing. The VMAs may have had a few shaky seasons, but 2025? Consider it a full-on ratings resurrection. It’s clear the CBS simulcast was a savvy step and one in the right direction.

Your thoughts?

[Photo Credit: Getty / MTV]