CBS and MTV’s joint coverage of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards attracted an average combined audience of 8.43 million viewers on Sunday night, according to Nielsen’s Live+Same Day fast‑national ratings.
The figure reflects viewership across both networks and is considered preliminary; Nielsen will release final numbers once the ratings are finalized.
At 8.43 million, the 2026 ceremony is the most‑watched MTV Video Music Awards broadcast in the past 11 years, marking the highest audience since the 2015 show.
The MTV Video Music Awards, an annual ceremony that honors achievements in music video production, has traditionally aired on MTV. This year the event was also simulcast on CBS, expanding its reach to a broader television audience.
Industry observers note that the strong viewership underscores continued public interest in the awards show, though final ratings will be confirmed after the Nielsen final‑ratings release.
<small>Source: Variety — read the original story there.</small>
