The Newshound

MTV VMAs ratings slump as fans beg network to 'pull the plug' on troubled awards show

From the Newshound archive · first published 30 September 2026.

A post on X criticising Madonna's performance at the MTV VMAs, where she led the night with 13 nominations and walked away with seven awards amid widespread calls to axe the show.
A post on X criticising Madonna's performance at the MTV VMAs, where she led the night with 13 nominations and walked away with seven awards amid widespread calls to axe the show.

The MTV VMAs drew its biggest stars but shed viewers, with Nielsen Live+ same-day ratings revealed as fans called for the show to be axed altogether. Madonna led the night with 13 nominations and walked away with seven awards, while Taylor Swift also dominated the ceremony. The show has been criticised as increasingly irrelevant as music videos migrate to TikTok and short-form platforms.

Madonna was the most nominated artist of the evening, winning seven of her 13 nods.

Fans flooded social media begging MTV to 'pull the plug' after the ceremony was 'plagued with problems'.

A cinematographer argued music videos still matter but their purpose has shifted dramatically with the rise of TikTok.

MoreBBC News - TechMTV VMAs: Taylor Swift dominates but do music videos matter?Irish TimesMTV VMAs 2026: Madonna and Taylor Swift dominate awardsDaily Mail USVMAs 2026 ratings revealed as fans beg MTV to 'pull the plug' on award show after being plagued with problems
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