MTV VMAs 2026 Ratings Soar 51%, Peak With Over 15 Million Viewers During Madonna Performance

VMAs Ratings Soar 51%, but Producer Says the Show’s Future Is Uncertain: ‘Hell If I Know’

The 2026 MTV VMAs saw the highest viewership since 2015, but the award show's producer said the future is still uncertain.

VMAs 2026 ratings revealed as fans beg MTV to 'pull the plug' on show

The award show was headlined by massive stars Taylor Swift and Madonna as Nielsen Live+ same day fast nationals ratings numbers were revealed via Variety.

The VMAs Just Scored Its Biggest Ratings in Over a Decade

Madonna’s star-packed opening number at the VMAs was seen by more than 15 million viewers, helping boost the full two-hour telecast to its best ratings in over a decade, according to preliminary Nielsen numbers.

MTV VMAs 2026 Ratings Soar 51%, Peak With Over 15 Million Viewers During Madonna Performance

The 2026 MTV VMAs brought in the show's biggest audience in more than a decade! Sunday night's (September 27) awards show was watched by 8.43 million

MTV VMAs Ratings Soar to 8.43 Million Viewers, Biggest Audience Since 2015 as Madonna and Swift Shine

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards averaged 8.43 million viewers, the show's biggest audience since 2015, as Madonna returned to the stage and Taylor Swift set a new awards record.