When Does The Music Awards Come On? Your Guide To Catching The Big Shows

Jermaine O'Keefe 16 Aug 2025

Ever wonder exactly when the music awards come on? So many of us do, and it's a really common thought, especially as we get closer to those big nights. You know, when the biggest names in music gather to celebrate their work, it’s a moment people look forward to all year long.

It's a pretty exciting time, watching artists get their recognition, seeing amazing performances, and maybe even catching some unexpected moments. Keeping up with all the different ceremonies can feel a bit like a puzzle, with each show having its own unique schedule and broadcast details.

This guide is here to help clear things up, giving you the scoop on when to tune in for those major music events. We'll look at the usual times of year for these happenings and how you can make sure you don't miss a single beat, more or less.

Understanding the Music Awards Calendar
- The Big Players: Grammys, AMAs, VMAs, and More
- Typical Scheduling Patterns
How to Find Out Specific Dates and Times
- Checking Official Sources
- Following Social Media and News
Where to Watch: TV Channels and Streaming Options
- Traditional Broadcasts
- Online Streaming Services
Preparing for Award Night
- Setting Reminders
- Exploring Pre-Show Coverage
Frequently Asked Questions About Music Awards

Understanding the Music Awards Calendar

The Big Players: Grammys, AMAs, VMAs, and More

The world of music awards is rather vast, with several major ceremonies that really stand out. You've got the Grammy Awards, which many consider the top honor in music, usually taking place early in the year, around January or February. This event, for many, sets the tone for the musical year ahead.

Then there are the American Music Awards (AMAs), which tend to happen later in the year, perhaps November, focusing on fan-voted popularity. This show is a true reflection of what listeners are loving right now. It gives a good sense of who is making waves in popular music, you know.

The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) are another big one, often in late summer, like August or September, celebrating the visual side of music. These awards are well-known for their memorable performances and often surprising moments. They truly capture the energy of music videos and live artistry.

For country music fans, the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards typically air in the fall, bringing together the genre's biggest stars. The Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) usually come on in May, recognizing chart success across all genres. Each of these has its own vibe and its own time slot, giving different kinds of music their moment to shine, more or less.

There are also many other important awards, like the Latin Grammys, the BET Awards, and the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards. Each one celebrates specific genres or communities within the music world. Knowing which award show covers which area of music can help you decide which ones you might want to watch, as a matter of fact.

Typical Scheduling Patterns

Most of these big music award shows, as a matter of fact, stick to a fairly consistent annual schedule. The Grammys, for instance, nearly always kick off the awards season for music, giving artists a chance to celebrate the past year's achievements. This early timing makes it a highly anticipated event.

The AMAs and CMAs often round out the year, giving us something to look forward to as the holidays approach. This fall timing means they can showcase the year's biggest hits and popular artists right before the year ends. It’s a good way to reflect on the music that shaped the last several months.

It's important to remember that while there are general patterns, specific dates can shift a little bit each year. Things like network schedules, major sporting events, or even global happenings can influence when the show actually airs. So, while we can guess, it’s always good to check for the precise date, just a little bit.

Sometimes, an award show might move from its usual month to avoid conflicts or to try a new time slot. This is why staying updated with official announcements is so useful. You wouldn't want to miss your favorite artists because of a small date change, would you? That's why keeping an eye on the news is a good practice.

How to Find Out Specific Dates and Times

Checking Official Sources

The best way to know exactly when a music awards show comes on is to go straight to the source. Each major award ceremony has its own official website. For example, the Grammy Awards have Grammy.com, and the AMAs have TheAMAs.com. These sites, you know, will always have the most current information available, directly from the organizers.

These official websites are where you'll find details about the exact date, the start time, the broadcast channel, and any special pre-show events. They also often list the nominees, performers, and presenters, which can build up excitement for the big night. It's the most reliable place to get your facts straight.

You can also check the websites of the broadcast networks that typically air these shows. CBS usually airs the Grammys, while ABC often hosts the AMAs and CMAs. MTV, of course, is the home for the VMAs. These network sites will list their upcoming programming, including the award shows, often with specific times and any pre-show events. They really do keep their schedules updated.

Look for sections labeled "Schedule," "Upcoming Shows," or "Press Releases" on these network sites. They usually make it quite easy to find the information you're looking for. Sometimes, they even have countdown timers to the event, which is pretty neat.

Keeping an eye on social media accounts for the awards shows themselves, and for the networks, is a pretty good idea. They often announce dates, times, and performers well in advance. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook are where these announcements first appear, actually.

Following the official accounts for the Grammys, AMAs, VMAs, and the networks like CBS, ABC, or MTV will ensure you get real-time updates. They also share behind-the-scenes glimpses and interactive content, which can make the wait for the show even more fun. It’s a very direct way to stay informed.

News outlets that cover entertainment are also a reliable spot for updates. Major entertainment news websites and reputable media publications will publish articles as soon as dates are confirmed. They often break down the information in an easy-to-read format, including all the essential details like when does the music awards come on and how to watch.

A quick search for "when does the music awards come on" along with the specific award name, like "when does the Grammy Awards come on," will usually get you the latest news, you see. Setting up news alerts for these terms can also be helpful, so you get a notification as soon as new information becomes available. This way, you're always in the know, basically.

Where to Watch: TV Channels and Streaming Options

Traditional Broadcasts

For many, watching music awards still means tuning into a traditional television channel. As mentioned, the Grammys are usually on CBS, the AMAs and CMAs on ABC, and the VMAs on MTV. These channels are available through cable, satellite, or even over-the-air with an antenna in many places.

If you have a cable or satellite subscription, simply find the correct channel number for the network in your area. Checking your local TV listings as the event gets closer is always a smart move. These listings will confirm the exact start time and any pre-show programming, so you can plan your viewing experience, you know.

Sometimes, a network might have a special pre-show or red carpet event that starts an hour or two before the main ceremony, so you might want to catch that too. These earlier segments often feature celebrity arrivals, fashion commentary, and quick interviews, adding to the overall excitement of the evening.

For those who use an antenna, you can typically pick up major network channels like CBS and ABC for free, depending on your location and signal strength. This is a great option if you prefer a simpler way to watch live television without a subscription. Just make sure your antenna is properly set up to receive the broadcast.

Online Streaming Services

If you don't have traditional cable, or prefer to watch on your computer or mobile device, streaming is definitely the way to go. Many of the networks that broadcast these shows offer live streaming through their own apps or websites, often requiring a cable TV login. For example, the CBS app or ABC app might let you stream live if you have a TV provider account.

Live TV streaming services, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or FuboTV, also carry these major networks. If you subscribe to one of these, you can usually watch the awards live as they happen, just like you would with traditional cable. These services often offer free trials, which could be a good way to watch a specific award show if you're not a regular subscriber, you see.

Sometimes, after the live broadcast, the full show becomes available on demand on the network's streaming platform or on a service like Paramount+ for CBS shows, for instance. This means you can watch it later if you miss the live airing. Check the specific service to see how long the show remains available for on-demand viewing.

For some awards, like the VMAs, MTV's app or website might offer a free live stream, or at least clips and highlights

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When Does The Music Awards Come On? Your Guide To Catching The Big Shows

Table of Contents

Understanding the Music Awards Calendar