How to Watch the 2026 American Music Awards Live Online

The 2026 American Music Awards, marking its 52nd year, will be broadcast live on Tuesday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). CBS and the Paramount+ streaming platform will carry the ceremony. For those without cable, the fan-voted event can also be accessed via DirecTV and Hulu + Live TV, both of which currently provide free trial periods. This offers an economical way for audiences to watch the show online without a standard cable subscription. Notably, the AMAs hold the distinction of being the world's largest fan-voted music awards ceremony, a factor that uniquely influences its nomination process. Unlike awards decided by industry panels, the AMAs rely entirely on fan engagement, making it a direct reflection of popular taste.

This year's nominations, compiled by Billboard and Luminate based on sales, streaming, radio airplay, and touring data, feature Taylor Swift leading with eight nominations. Close behind are Sabrina Carpenter, Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, and Sombr, each securing seven nods. For digital viewers, a Paramount+ Premium subscription is required for live streaming; Essential subscribers in the United States must wait until the following day for on-demand access. Queen Latifah, the acclaimed actress and rapper who first rose to fame with her 1993 hit "U.N.I.T.Y.," will host the event from Las Vegas. The ceremony will also present Billy Idol with the Lifetime Achievement Award; the rock icon, whose 1980s anthems like "Rebel Yell" and "White Wedding" defined an era, is expected to perform. Colombian reggaeton star Karol G, who has shattered multiple Latin music records, including becoming the first female artist to have a Spanish-language album reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200, will receive the International Artist Award of Excellence and also take the stage.

A star-studded performer lineup has been confirmed, including Darius Rucker with his Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates, Katseye, Keith Urban, Maluma, New Kids on the Block, the Pussycat Dolls alongside Busta Rhymes, Riley Green, Sombr, Teddy Swims, Teyana Taylor, and Twenty One Pilots. The diverse roster of presenters features Alysa Liu, Anthony Ramos, Ejae, Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias, Hannah Berner, Hilary Duff, Jason Derulo, John Legend, Lisa Rinna, Ludacris, Mariah the Scientist, Matt Rife, Megan Stalter, Paul W. Downs, Melanie Martinez, Nikki Glaser, Paula Abdul, Rei Ami, and Russell Dickerson. In a tribute to Memorial Day, the event will honor the nation's troops during the broadcast. Dick Clark Productions, founded by the late television icon who created the AMAs in 1974, is producing the ceremony, continuing a legacy that has shaped pop culture for over five decades. As music industry analyst Mark Sullivan observed, "The AMAs remain a unique barometer of fan sentiment, directly reflecting what listeners are actually buying and streaming, rather than industry insider votes." This direct connection to consumers gives the awards a distinct credibility among fans who feel their voices matter in the recognition process.