Updated on: April 23, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Watch the MTV Video Music Awards Online With a VPN in 2024:
- Step 1: Download and install a VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN for its blazing-fast speeds and ease of use.
- Step 2: Connect to a VPN server. Open the VPN app and connect to a server in the US. If the MTV Music Video Music Awards aren’t available where you’re located, it’s theoretically possible to watch it with a VPN. However, this is against most streaming platforms’ Terms of Service and may constitute copyright infringement.
- Step 3: Launch your preferred streaming service. That’s it! You’re now able to watch the MTV Video Music Awards securely using a VPN.
The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) show is only available in the US. This is because streaming services aren’t allowed to broadcast it to international viewers due to licensing agreements, So, they use geo-restrictions to block viewers from outside of the country.
A VPN hides your IP address. When you connect to a server in a location, it masks your real IP address and assigns you an IP address that matches that location. This can hypothetically help you watch the MTV Video Music Awards outside from a different location, but this is against most streaming platforms’ Terms of Service and may even be regarded as copyright infringement (which isn’t something that I nor any of my colleagues at SafetyDetectives condone).
A VPN also secures your traffic and can improve your speed. It encrypts your internet traffic, which protects your data and shields you from prying eyes. This also makes sure your ISP (Internet Service Provider) doesn’t slow throttle your speed because of a bandwidth-demanding activity — like streaming.
I recommend watching the MTV VMAs using ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest VPN on the market, works flawlessly with every streaming service that shows the MTV VMAs, and has very intuitive apps. But I’ve also listed a couple of other VPNs below that are decent alternatives.
My colleagues and I at SafetyDetectives don’t support breaking any copyright laws. The VPNs I recommend have strict no-logging policies that prevent them from keeping track of what you do online, but we urge you to follow all applicable rules and regulations and to be responsible for how you choose to use a VPN.
How to Watch the MTV Video Music Awards on Any Device
PC or Mac
- Pick a VPN that works reliably with streaming services. My top pick is ExpressVPN, which works with all of the streaming services that show the MTV Video Music Awards, including YouTube TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV Blue/Orange, Hulu+Live TV, Philo, and Paramount+.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device(s). All you have to do is follow the installation wizard’s guidance instructions to complete the setup.
- Connect to a local VPN server. And that’s it! You can now stream the MTV VMAs securely on your PC or Mac device.
Smartphone or Tablet
- Get a VPN with good mobile apps. I really like ExpressVPN’s Android and iOS apps — they’re feature-rich and have simple and clean interfaces.
- Download and install the VPN. Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the VPN’s installer. This should only take 2–3 minutes total.
- Connect to a nearby VPN server. Now, you can watch the MTV VMAs securely on your smartphone or tablet.
Smart TV
- Choose a good VPN with smart TV apps and a smart DNS tool. ExpressVPN is compatible with Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and more. It also has smart DNS that makes it easy to stream on devices without native VPN support.
- On Android TVs: Download and install the VPN app from the Google Play Store, then open the app and connect to a local server.
- On non-Android-TVs: Follow the instructions on your VPN’s provider site to set up the smart DNS tool.
- Launch your preferred streaming app. You’re all set to watch the MTV VMAs on your smart TV!
Amazon Fire Stick
- Find a VPN with an Amazon Fire Stick app. I really like ExpressVPN’s Fire Stick app because of how easy it is to use.
- Download and install the VPN app. You should be able to find the VPN in the Amazon App Store.
- Open the VPN app and connect to a local server. And that’s it! You can now enjoy the MTV VMAs on your Amazon Fire Stick.
Gaming Console
- Look for a VPN that has a smart DNS tool. Every VPN I recommend offers one and has great setup guides on their respective sites. Alternatively, you can set up the VPN on your router — ExpressVPN has a dedicated router app that’s very easy to configure and use.
- Set up the smart DNS tool. Follow the instructions on the provider’s website to complete the setup. Pick a local server in the US when prompted.
- Start watching! You can now stream the MTV VMAs on your Xbox or Playstation!
Best VPNs for Watching the MTV Video Music Awards in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for watching the MTV Video Music Awards in 2024:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for watching the MTV Video Music Awards in 2024 with the fastest speeds.
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Good VPN for streaming the MTV Video Music Awards on your Android or iOS device.
- 🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — User-friendly VPN for watching the MTV Music Video Awards (good for beginners).
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Watching the MTV Video Music Awards in 2024
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming the MTV Video Music Awards in 2024. It has excellent streaming support, offers the fastest connection speeds in the industry, and provides best-in-class privacy and security features.
ExpressVPN works with every service that shows the MTV VMAs, such as YouTube TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV Blue/Orange, and Hulu+Live TV. I was able to watch content on Hulu+Live TV, YouTube TV, and Fubo while connected to a local ExpressVPN server in the US. It also has 20+ server locations across the US, so you’re almost guaranteed to find a working server that’s nearby and not too crowded for the best possible speeds.
ExpressVPN has user-friendly apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, so you’ll have no problem connecting to a nearby server and watching the MTV VMAs on any device. It also supports smart TVs and Amazon Fire Stick and has a smart DNS feature, called MediaStreamer, which lets you use the VPN on devices that don’t support VPNs, like certain smart TVs and gaming consoles.
ExpressVPN’s plans start at $6.67 / month, which is a bit more expensive than its competitors. But, in my opinion, the amount of value it provides makes it well worth your money. You can try out ExpressVPN risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee and get a full refund if you find that it doesn’t suit your needs.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Good VPN for Streaming the MTV Music Video Awards on Mobile
Private Internet Access (PIA) is particularly good for streaming the VMAs on mobile. PIA’s Android and iOS apps have simple and intuitive interfaces and great convenience features. For example, I really like how it displays your ping to each server in its server selection menu. Its mobile apps are also highly customizable — you can change everything from its encryption level to the look and layout of the app.
It also works well with a couple of streaming sites that broadcast the VMAs, including Hulu+Live TV and YouTube TV. It also has at least one server in all 50 US states, so there’s a good chance you’ll find a server closer to your location for fast speeds.
PIA has apps for other major platforms, too, including Windows and macOS, as well as a smart DNS tool that allows you to use the VPN on your smart TV and gaming console.
Private Internet Access starts at a very affordable $2.03 / month, and it backs all of its plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Great for VPN Beginners Watching the MTV Music Video Awards
CyberGhost VPN is a solid pick for first-time VPN users who want to watch the VMAs. Its apps are very easy to navigate, and it has dedicated streaming servers for different streaming services that are kept in a separate tab, so they’re easy to locate and connect to.
CyberGhost has streaming-optimized servers for nearly every site that shows the VMAs, like YouTube TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Hulu+Live TV, and Paramount+. These servers are optimized for a buffer-free streaming experience, but its regular servers also work with a lot of streaming sites where you can watch the awards — I tested a couple of these streaming-optimized and regular US servers, and they worked with sites that air the VMAs. It also has 10+ servers in the US, which is fewer than Private Internet Access, but you still have plenty of connection options.
CyberGhost VPN’s plans start at a low price of $2.03 / month. Its long-term plans are backed by a lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee, while the monthly plan is backed by a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full CyberGhost VPN review
Comparison of the Best VPNs for Watching the MTV Video Music Awards in 2024
How to Choose the Best VPN for Watching the MTV Video Music Awards From Anywhere in 2024
- Choose a VPN that works with sites that stream the MTV VMAs. All of the VPNs on my list work consistently with streaming services that broadcast the MTV VMAs.
- Select a VPN with many US servers. The MTV VMAs are only available for US viewers, so it’s important to select a provider that has servers in the US. And the more servers the provider has in the US, the easier it’ll be to find a non-crowded and nearby location to connect to for the fastest possible speeds. It’s important to remember that using a VPN to watch the awards show in a country other than the US may be copyright infringement, and we at SafetyDetectives don’t support this activity.
- Prioritize high-speed VPNs. All VPNs slow down your connection slightly, but top-tier providers, like ExpressVPN, maintain fast enough speeds to stream HD content without buffering and lag.
- Check device compatibility. The VPNs I recommend have apps for all major OS, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS so you can stream the VMAs on any of these devices. If you want to stream on a smart TV or gaming console, you should also make sure that the provider you choose has a smart DNS tool.
- Find a VPN with robust security features. I only recommend VPNs with industry-standard VPN security features, like 256-bit AES encryption, which makes your online traffic indecipherable to third parties, a strict no-logs policy, meaning the provider doesn’t keep logs of your online activities, and a kill switch, which shuts down your internet connection if your VPN connection drops, so you don’t accidentally leak any data.
- Evaluate pricing and value. For my list, I chose VPNs with reasonably priced plans that accept various payment methods and allow for a minimum of 7 simultaneous connections. Additionally, these VPNs also come with a money-back guarantee, so you can test them out risk-free and get a full refund if you find that they don’t meet your particular needs.
What Streaming Services Show the MTV Video Music Awards?
The 2024 MTV VMAs are set to take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m. ET.
It’s possible to use a VPN to watch the MTV VMAs outside of the US, but please keep in mind that this breaks most platforms’ Terms of Service and may violate copyright laws (which isn’t something that I or any of my colleagues at SafetyDetectives condone). The VPNs we recommend have strict no-logging policies that mean that they don’t keep track of (or even see) what you do online. It’s up to you to follow all applicable rules and regulations when using a VPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch the MTV Video Music Awards?
You can watch the MTV Video Music Awards on these streaming services: MTV.com, YouTube TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV Blue/Orange, Hulu+Live TV, Philo, and Paramount+.
What’s the best VPN for streaming the MTV Music Video Awards?
I recommend using ExpressVPN. It works with every single streaming service that broadcasts the MTV VMAs — I confirmed it works with the ones that I have a subscription to, and the VPN’s customer support confirmed it works with the others — provides lightning-fast speeds for a buffer-free streaming experience, and has easy-to-use apps for all major operating systems, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, plus a smart DNS tool that lets you use the VPN on devices that don’t normally have a VPN app, like your smart TV or gaming console.
Can I watch the MTV Video Music Awards for free?
Yes, you can watch it for free on MTV.com with its 24-hour viewing pass or on Pluto TV. There are also several streaming services with a free trial that’ll allow you to see the entire show for free since it’s just a 1-day event.
Can I watch the MTV VMAs using a free VPN?
Maybe, but I don’t really recommend it. Free VPNs usually don’t support streaming, and even the ones that do often come with serious limitations. A free VPN may not work consistently with streaming platforms that carry the MTV VMAs, have restrictive data caps, throttle your speeds, and offer weak privacy and security features. You would save yourself a lot of time and headache by getting an affordable paid VPN instead.
