Updated
Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Sep 28
MTV VMAs Broadcast Starts 20 Minutes Late as Ravens Beat Cowboys 34-31
Updated
Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Sep 28

MTV VMAs Broadcast Starts 20 Minutes Late as Ravens Beat Cowboys 34-31

3 articles · Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Sep 28

Summary

  • CBS, MTV and Paramount+ began the 2026 VMAs shortly after 4:50 p.m. PT, more than 20 minutes after the planned 4:30 p.m. start.
  • The delay came because the late NFL game from Rio de Janeiro was still on air at showtime, with Baltimore and Dallas tied 31-31 before the Ravens won 34-31.
  • Inside Los Angeles' Peacock Theater, the ceremony started on time for the live audience, where Madonna opened with her first VMA performance in more than 20 years.
  • MTV filled the gap for home viewers with a Video Vanguard retrospective hosted by Donnie Wahlberg and a crawl saying the VMAs would 'begin shortly.'
  • The split start left TV viewers behind the in-room schedule, where Snoop Dogg's monologue and Lisa's best pop win had already happened before the broadcast caught up.

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