CBS is celebrating the history of the MTV Video Music Awards with two new primetime specials ahead of the 2026 ceremony, revisiting some of the most memorable performances and moments from the show’s more than four-decade history.
The first special, Best of VMAs: Iconic Vanguard Performances, is hosted by Donnie Wahlberg and airs Sunday, Sept. 13, at 9:30 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. PT on CBS. The program focuses on artists who have received the prestigious Video Vanguard Award and highlights their career-defining performances on the VMA stage.
The second special, Best of VMAs: Unforgettable Moments, will be hosted by former MTV VJ Vanessa Lachey and airs Sunday, Sept. 20, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. It will revisit some of the ceremony’s most unpredictable moments, including memorable fashion, major collaborations and performances that helped turn emerging performers into major stars.
The specials arrive as CBS and MTV prepare for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, which will take place live from Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 27. The ceremony is scheduled to air from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+.
The 2026 VMAs will be hosted by Snoop Dogg, who was announced as the show’s host on Sept. 10. The rapper is a 13-time VMA nominee and three-time winner and has previously appeared on the VMA stage for performances involving Dr. Dre, Eminem and the Notorious B.I.G.
Nirvana is also set to receive the 2026 Video Vanguard Award. The honor was announced on Sept. 9, marking 34 years since the band’s first VMA appearance in 1992. The surviving members, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear, will be recognized for the band’s lasting influence on music videos and popular culture.
Madonna currently leads the 2026 VMA nominations with 11 nods, followed by Taylor Swift with nine. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each have seven nominations, while Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson have five apiece.
The two Best of VMAs specials are part of CBS’ countdown to the Sept. 27 ceremony and will provide a retrospective look at the performances, fashion moments, collaborations and other events that have helped define the VMAs over the years.
