Stage at The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) red carpet rollout and media day at the Peacock Theater on Thursday, September 24, 2026. The VMAs will be broadcasting live September 27 on the CBS Television Network, and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+*. — Photo: Matthew Taplinger/CBS ©2026 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Matthew Taplinger/CBS
Spotify has announced its partnership with Paramount as the official music and video partner of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, airing this Sunday, September 27.
Spotify will give fans access to VMA content directly on the platform, including select 2026 VMA performances, behind-the-scenes content, and iconic moments from the past. Starting today, Spotify launches a dedicated VMAs destination – a curated collection of archival performances over the past 40 years of VMA history, including from icons like Madonna (“Like a Virgin,” 1984), Cardi B (“Bodak Yellow,” 2017), and Nirvana (“Lithium,” 1992).
“MTV and the ‘VMAs’ have always been at the center of music and culture, and Spotify is uniquely positioned to help us extend the show’s reach beyond the live event,” said Lee Sears, president of international markets advertising sales at Paramount, in a press release. “Together, we’re creating new opportunities for fans to discover and engage with the performances and artists that make the ‘VMAs’ such an incredible global music moment.”
The VMAs celebrated music and music videos as television content, but now expand to how fans experience music today – through their apps on their mobile phones or tablets. On their desktops and TVs, they can watch the content head-on. On mobile, you’ll find “VMAs 2026” located on the home page, or you can search “VMAs” to unlock the feature.
“The VMAs have celebrated the music video as an art form for more than 40 years, and we’re excited to bring that legacy to Spotify,” Sarah Patello, Head of Spotify Music, said in a press release. “Fans already come to Spotify every day to listen to their favorite artists and increasingly to watch them, too, so bringing the VMA experience to the platform feels really natural. It’s another way for fans to connect with the artists and music they love.”
Leading into Sunday’s show, fans can check out the official MTV VMAs video playlist, editorially curated nominee highlights, a Nirvana Video Vanguard 2026 hub, curation of previous podcast conversations with this year’s nominees, and more.
As one of the most popular music streaming services, Spotify has previously worked with several award shows, including the Soul Train Awards, ARIA Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, and The Game Awards. This is the first time that Spotify and Paramount have worked together on the marketing and on-platform content.
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards air Sunday, September 27 on CBS and MTV, and stream on Paramount+ (Premium). It will be available globally the next day on Paramount+ and MTV.
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