The American Music Awards return to broadcast less than a year after the 50th Anniversary special. We've scoured the internet to find everything you need to know about where to watch the AMAs, including live streaming options for cord-cutters.
Jennifer Lopez will host the 51st American Music Awards, which take place at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas. The evening is shaping up to be a star-studded affair. The awards show, one of the biggest events decided solely by fan voting, will feature performances from Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, Reneé Rapp, Benson Boone, and Lainey Wilson.
- Deals roundup: The best Memorial Day sales
Boone and Wilson are also nominated for tonight's show. They join a massive nominee list topped by Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Shaboozey. While there's no telling exactly who will make an appearance tonight, Janet Jackson is scheduled to take to the stage to receive the ICON Award. Rod Stewart, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, is slated to deliver a performance.
Whether you tune in every year or you're an AMAs newbie, we've got you covered. Keep reading to learn all of the best watch options for tonight's AMAs, including the cheapest way to live stream the event in the US.
- See also: How to watch Criminal Minds: Evolution | Where to watch Poker Face | Where to watch RuPaul's Drag Race
What channel are the AMAs on?
The AMAs will air on CBS in the US. The awards show will kick off on Monday at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT and will last about two hours. The event is broadcast live coast to coast, which means that West Coasters will be able to tune in at the same time and not have to wait for a tape delay.
Where to watch the AMAs in the US
There are a few easy ways to live stream the AMAs in the US. The absolute cheapest way is through Paramount Plus, CBS's streaming counterpart. You'll need a Paramount Plus with Showtime subscription to access CBS live streaming. This tier costs $13/month, but new users can get a seven-day free trial. The plan also includes ad-free on-demand content and access to Showtime's full suite of programming.
Paramount Plus offers a huge library of on-demand content from Paramount, CBS, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, and MTV. The Premium Plan also includes Showtime and live CBS streaming. It costs $12.99 a month or $120 a year. More importantly, it removes ads from the on-demand streaming library.
If you're in the market for a more elaborate live TV streaming service, then DirecTV or Fubo might be the way to go. These services offer anywhere from 90 to 200+ live channels, depending on which plan you sign up for, including local channels (CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC) and popular cable networks (ESPN, Bravo, FS1). DirecTV's signature Entertainment plan and Fubo's base Pro plan start at $85/month each (plus a few extra monthly fees), and new users can get five days free at DirecTV and seven days free at Fubo.
Previously known as AT&T TV, DirecTV offers streaming access to a large selection of live channels, including most key networks typically found in traditional cable packages.
Fubo is the streaming service for sports fans. Its huge library of channels includes regional and international sports leagues, setting it apart from the competition. You can also tack on additional programming to your plan, but it'll cost you extra.
How to watch the AMAs from anywhere
Fans who are traveling outside the US can still keep up with their usual streaming options with the help of a VPN, or virtual private network. VPNs are popular cybersecurity tools that help you change your virtual location. This way, your go-to websites and apps will work from anywhere in the world. Plus, they're instant ways to boost online privacy and security. The services we recommended today require US methods of payment, so this option will work best for Americans who are just abroad at the moment.
Time and time again, ExpressVPN is our top recommendation. It's a user-friendly service with elaborate security features and a handy 30-day money-back guarantee. You can explore more in our ExpressVPN review, and keep reading to learn how to use a VPN.
With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that make it exceptional. Better yet, you can save more than 60% right now and get up to four months free.
How to watch the AMAs with a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN if you don't already have one.
- Install it on the device you're using to watch.
- Turn it on and set it to a US location.
- Sign up for one of the above services if you don't already have an account.
- Enjoy the show.
Who will present at the 2025 AMAs?
The AMAs announced some of their presenters on Instagram last week. In addition to the aforementioned Blake Shelton (who is pulling double duty as a performer), fans can expect to see Alix Earle, Cara Delevingne, Ciara, Dan + Shay, Jordan Chiles, Kai Cenat, Megan Moroney, Nikki Glaser, Shaboozey, Tiffany Haddish, and Wayne Brady.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.