MTV’s 2024 Video Music Awards (VMAs) will now air on September 11, one day later than originally planned, to avoid overlapping with the first presidential debate of the election cycle. The debate, which will feature Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, is scheduled for September 10, prompting MTV to reschedule its flagship awards show to maintain viewership and avoid competition.
The VMAs will now be headlined by a fresh roster of performers, including rising stars Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, who will be making their debuts on the VMAs stage. Joining them will be GloRilla, Camila Cabello, and Rauw Alejandro. This lineup is just the beginning, with more performers to be announced as the show approaches.
MTV has not officially stated that the rescheduling is due to the debate, but the network has historically promoted civic engagement. The shift in schedule reflects an awareness of the significant political event and the potential impact on viewership, particularly among younger audiences who are likely to be drawn to both the debate and the VMAs.
In addition to the entertainment lineup, MTV acknowledged the historical significance of September 11, reaffirming its support for the nonprofit 9/11 Day, which organizes the National Day of Service and Remembrance, and Tuesday’s Children, an organization that assists families affected by the 9/11 attacks.
Both Carpenter and Roan will make their VMAs debut performances, with Roan also nominated for Best New Artist. Carpenter, who performed on the VMAs pre-telecast last year, is nominated alongside Ariana Grande and Eminem for Best New Artist this year.
The 2024 VMAs will be broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET/PT on September 11 and will reach audiences in 150 countries. The nominations, announced last week, see Taylor Swift leading with 10 nods, followed by Post Malone with nine. Carpenter is tied with Ariana Grande and Eminem with six nominations each.
Executive producers for the show include Bruce Gillmer and Jesse Ignjatovic, with Barb Bialkowski serving as co-executive producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba are overseeing production, while Wendy Plaut and Lisa Lauricella handle talent and music coordination respectively.
