American Music Awards Set for Return in 2025

The American Music Awards (AMAs) are set to make their much-anticipated return on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, after a brief hiatus since 2022. Marking a significant change, the broadcast will air live from Las Vegas on CBS and will also be available through streaming on Paramount+. This development comes as part of a new plan for the AMAs to coincide with Memorial Day celebrations annually, thereby also taking the opportunity to honor U.S. veterans. As the show makes its comeback, it promises to continue its legacy as the world’s largest fan-voted music awards, recognizing the most popular songs and artists based on fan interactions and chart performances.

The last hosted AMAs took place in 2022 on ABC, with Wayne Brady as the host. However, the awards took the year 2023 off and redirected their 2024 return to a star-studded 50th-anniversary special. This special aired on CBS in October 2024 and made remarkable impacts; it surpassed previous viewership, achieving over 13 million in reach and averaging over 6.1 million viewers, which signified a 53% increase compared to the last broadcast on ABC in 2022. Performances from icons such as Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, and many others contributed to the show’s historic success as the most-streamed AMAs in history at that time.

Announcement of the upcoming event has already generated buzz within the entertainment industry, leaving fans and artists alike eagerly anticipating the ceremony. The AMAs have historically been known for their defining performances and moments that shape pop culture, having introduced audiences to breakthrough artists throughout the decades. This year’s broadcast aims to uphold that tradition by spotlighting today’s influential artists and expanding its digital footprint to reach global audiences through both linear and digital platforms.