How to watch the American Music Awards without cable
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The 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs) — aka the world's largest fan-voted music awards show — returns on Monday, May 26. Live from Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the awards will not only honor the most popular songs and artists of the year, but also our country's troops in celebration of Memorial Day.
It's sure to be a talent-filled evening packaged with grand performances and tributes. Plus, of course, some major winners and upsets. Here's everything you need to know to watch the AMAs live at home.
When are the American Music Awards?
The 51st AMAs will take place on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day), at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). Jennifer Lopez will host the awards live from Las Vegas.
What channel are the AMAs on?
For the first time, the AMAs will air live on CBS for those with cable. Previous American Music Awards broadcasts aired on ABC. Because we're in the age of streaming, CBS's streaming sibling Paramount+ will also simulcast the awards show via its Paramount+ with Showtime tier only. The Paramount+ Essential plan will only get you access to the on-demand broadcast the day after the awards air.
How to watch the American Music Awards live without cable
For those who no longer have cable or access to their local CBS network, you'll have a few different options for tuning in live (and maybe even for free).
The easiest and cheapest way to watch is through a Paramount+ with Showtime free trial. However, the trial is only for brand-new subscribers. If you don't qualify for the trial, you can also opt for a live TV streaming service that broadcasts your local CBS station and score a free trial offer. Here's a breakdown of the best options and the best deals.
Watch on Paramount+
As noted above, Paramount+ offers a seven-day trial for new subscribers only. If you fall into that camp, you can easily tune into the AMAs for free. Not eligible for the trial? You'll have to sign up for a Paramount+ with Showtime subscription to watch live for $12.99 per month. The Paramount+ Essential plan will only give you access to the broadcast the day after the ceremony on-demand. If you can manage to avoid spoilers in this day and age, it's the cheaper option at $7.99 per month.
Fortunately, you can still save money on either tier by opting for an annual plan rather than a monthly plan. Usually $12.99 per month for the plan with Showtime, the price drops down to just $10 per month if you pay for a year up front. That's about 23% in savings. If you opt for the Essential plan, you'll save over 30% by paying for an annual subscription for $59.99 rather than paying $7.99 monthly.
Watch on YouTube TV
While it's a lot more expensive than Paramount+, YouTube TV will also give you live access to local channels, including CBS, so you can tune into the AMAs as they're happening. And if you've never signed up previously, you'll get a five-day trial to watch for free. Just cancel before the five days are up, or you'll be hit with a $59.99 blow to your bank account. After two months, that price then jumps back up to the full cost of $82.99.
Honorable mentions
DirecTV Stream Choice Package (CBS included in some areas) — $59.99 for your first month, then $89.99 per month
FuboTV Pro Plan (CBS included in some areas)— 7-day free trial, then $64.99 per month for your first month ($84.99 per month thereafter)
Hulu + Live TV (CBS included) — 3-day free trial, then $82.99 per month
Topics Music Streaming How to Watch
Frequently Asked Questions
Host Jennifer Lopez will also take the stage at the AMAs to perform, alongside Icon Award recipient Janet Jackson, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Rod Stewart, Benson Boone, Blake Shelton, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, and Reneé Rapp. Additional participants and presenters include Alix Earle, Cara Delevingne, Ciara, Dan + Shay, Dylan Efron, Jordan Chiles, Kai Cenat, Megan Maroney, Nikki Glaser, Shaboozey, Tiffany Haddish, Wayne Brady, and more to be announced.
Kendrick Lamar is the most nominated artist at this year's American Music Awards with 10 nods, followed closely by Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Shaboozey. See the full list of nominees below or head to the AMAs website.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Chappell Roan
Kendrick Lamar
Morgan Wallen
Post Malone
Sabrina Carpenter
SZA
Taylor Swift
Zach Bryan
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Benson Boone
Chappell Roan
Gracie Abrams
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
Tommy Richman
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Beyoncé COWBOY CARTER
Billie Eilish HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
Chappell Roan The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Charli xcx BRATGracie Abrams The Secret of Us
Future & Metro Boomin WE DON’T TRUST YOU
Kendrick Lamar GNX
Post Malone F-1 Trillion
Sabrina Carpenter Short n’ Sweet
Taylor Swift The Tortured Poets Department
SONG OF THE YEAR
Benson Boone “Beautiful Things”
Billie Eilish “Birds of a Feather”
Chappell Roan “Good Luck, Babe!”
Hozier “Too Sweet”
Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars “Die With A Smile”
Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen “I Had Some Help”
Sabrina Carpenter “Espresso”
Shaboozey “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
Teddy Swims “Lose Control”
COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Kendrick Lamar & SZA “Luther”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars “Die With A Smile”
Marshmello & Kane Brown “Miles on It”
Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen “I Had Some Help”
ROSÉ & Bruno Mars “APT.”
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone “Fortnight”
SOCIAL SONG OF THE YEAR
Chappell Roan “HOT TO GO!”
Djo “End of Beginning”
Doechii “Anxiety”
Lola Young “Messy”
Shaboozey “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
Tommy Richman “Million Dollar Baby”
FAVORITE TOURING ARTIST
Billie Eilish
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Taylor Swift
Zach Bryan
FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO
Benson Boone “Beautiful Things”
KAROL G “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”
Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars “Die With A Smile”
Shaboozey “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
FAVORITE MALE POP ARTIST
Benson Boone
Bruno Mars
Hozier
Teddy Swims
The Weeknd
FAVORITE FEMALE POP ARTIST
Billie Eilish
Chappell Roan
Lady Gaga
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
FAVORITE POP ALBUM
Billie Eilish HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
Chappell Roan The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Charli xcx BRAT
Sabrina Carpenter Short n’ Sweet
Taylor Swift The Tortured Poets Department
FAVORITE POP SONG
Benson Boone “Beautiful Things”
Billie Eilish “Birds of a Feather”
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars “Die With A Smile”
Sabrina Carpenter “Espresso”
Teddy Swims “Lose Control”
FAVORITE MALE COUNTRY ARTIST
Jelly Roll
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Post Malone
Shaboozey
FAVORITE FEMALE COUNTRY ARTIST
Beyoncé
Ella Langley
Kacey Musgraves
Lainey Wilson
Megan Moroney
FAVORITE COUNTRY DUO or GROUP
Dan + Shay
Old Dominion
Parmalee
The Red Clay Strays
Zac Brown Band
FAVORITE COUNTRY ALBUM
Beyoncé COWBOY CARTER
Jelly Roll BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN
Megan Moroney AM I OKAY?
Post Malone F-1 Trillion
Shaboozey Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going
FAVORITE COUNTRY SONG
Jelly Roll “I Am Not Okay”
Koe Wetzel & Jessie Murph “High Road”
Luke Combs “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma”
Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen “I Had Some Help”
Shaboozey “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
FAVORITE MALE HIP-HOP ARTIST
Drake
Eminem
Future
Kendrick Lamar
Tyler, The Creator
FAVORITE FEMALE HIP-HOP ARTIST
Doechii
GloRilla
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Sexyy Red
FAVORITE HIP-HOP ALBUM
Eminem The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
Future & Metro Boomin WE DON’T TRUST YOU
Gunna one of wun
Kendrick Lamar GNX
Tyler, The Creator CHROMAKOPIA
FAVORITE HIP-HOP SONG
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar “Like That”
GloRilla “TGIF”
GloRilla & Sexyy Red “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME”
Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us”
Kendrick Lamar & SZA “Luther”
FAVORITE MALE R&B ARTIST
Bryson Tiller
Chris Brown
PARTYNEXTDOOR
The Weeknd
Usher
FAVORITE FEMALE R&B ARTIST
Kehlani
Muni Long
Summer Walker
SZA
Tyla
FAVORITE R&B ALBUM
Bryson Tiller Bryson Tiller
PARTYNEXTDOOR PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 (P4)
PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake $ome $exy $ongs 4 U
SZA SOS Deluxe: LANA
The Weeknd Hurry Up Tomorrow
FAVORITE R&B SONG
Chris Brown “Residuals”
Muni Long “Made For Me”
SZA “Saturn”
The Weeknd & Playboi Carti “Timeless”
Tommy Richman “Million Dollar Baby”
FAVORITE MALE LATIN ARTIST
Bad Bunny
Feid
Peso Pluma
Rauw Alejandro
Tito Double P
FAVORITE FEMALE LATIN ARTIST
Becky G
KAROL G
Natti Natasha
Shakira
Young Miko
FAVORITE LATIN DUO or GROUP
Calibre 50
Fuerza Regida
Grupo Firme
Grupo Frontera
Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda
FAVORITE LATIN ALBUM
Bad Bunny DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
Fuerza Regida Dolido Pero No Arrepentido
Peso Pluma ÉXODO
Rauw Alejandro Cosa Nuestra
Tito Double P INCÓMODO
FAVORITE LATIN SONG
Bad Bunny “DtMF”
FloyyMenor X Cris Mj “Gata Only”
KAROL G “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido”
Oscar Maydon & Fuerza Regida “Tu Boda”
Shakira “Soltera”
FAVORITE ROCK ARTIST
Hozier
Linkin Park
Pearl Jam
Twenty One Pilots
Zach Bryan
FAVORITE ROCK ALBUM
Hozier Unreal Unearth: Unending
Koe Wetzel 9 lives
The Marías Submarine
Twenty One Pilots Clancy
Zach Bryan The Great American Bar Scene
FAVORITE ROCK SONG
Green Day “Dilemma”
Hozier “Too Sweet”
Linkin Park “The Emptiness Machine”
Myles Smith “Stargazing”
Zach Bryan “Pink Skies”
FAVORITE DANCE/ELECTRONIC ARTIST
Charli xcx
David Guetta
John Summit
Lady Gaga
Marshmello
FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK
Arcane League of Legends: Season 2
Hazbin Hotel (Original Soundtrack)
Moana 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson and Cast
Twisters: The Album
Wicked: The Soundtrack • Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Cast
FAVORITE AFROBEATS ARTIST
Asake
Rema
Tems
Tyla
Wizkid
FAVORITE K-POP ARTIST
ATEEZ
Jimin
RM
ROSÉ
Stray Kids
Christina Buff is a Nashville-based freelance writer for who covers shopping with a splash of entertainment. If you’re ever wondering what streaming service you need to watch something (and the cheapest way to sign up for it), she’s your girl.
Christina received a B.S. in Business Communication (concentration in writing) from Stevenson University and began her professional journey writing and editing press releases. Since then, she’s written content for a marketing agency, blogged for celebrities, and covered local news, politics, women’s lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and just about everything in between for various publications.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably enjoying live music, studying human design, or embroidering and upcycling clothes. You can follow her on Instagram at @touchinfinity.
