MTV delays VMAs to avoid clash with US debate

MTV has delayed its annual Video Music Awards (VMAs) by a day to avoid clashing with the US presidential debate.

Former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris agreed last week to face each other in a televised debate on 10 September.

The VMAs had already been scheduled for that date, but broadcaster MTV has announced the ceremony will now take place the following night.

If both events had gone ahead on the same evening, it would almost certainly have damaged viewing figures for both events, but particularly the VMAs.

Interest in the debate is likely to be very high, especially as it is the only one currently scheduled between the two presidential candidates.

But the clash would also have posed an image problem for MTV, according to Billboard, due to the network's efforts to boost voter turnout.

MTV has encouraged its audience to engage more with politics as part of its brand since the 1992 election, which saw Bill Clinton unseat George HW Bush.

In addition to the presidential debate being hosted by ABC, Trump has suggested two further debates hosted by Fox News and NBC.

Harris has indicated she would be open to more debates, but none have yet been confirmed.

Taylor Swift leads the field at this year's VMAs ceremony, with 10 nominations including artist, video and song of the year.

At the 2023 ceremony, Swift won nine awards from 11 nominations, including video of the year for Anti-Hero.

Elsewhere, Post Malone has nine nominations this year, while Ariana Grande, Eminem and Sabrina Carpenter have six each.

Other nominees include Megan Thee Stallion, SZA, Teddy Swims, LISA and Dua Lipa.

The ceremony will take place on Wednesday 11 September at 17:00 PT / 20:00 EST, or 01:00 BST on Thursday for British viewers.