American Music Awards Skipping Another Year, Returning in 2025

The American Music Awards (AMAs) will not be held for the second year in a row. This break marks the first time in nearly half a century that the awards show has skipped consecutive years. Today, on August 6, Dick Clark Productions and CBS announced that the award show is now scheduled to air in May 2025, substituting this year’s event with a 50th Anniversary Special.

Dick Clark initially created the AMAs for ABC back in 1974 after the network lost its rights to broadcast the Grammy Awards to CBS. The show remained a staple on ABC until its contract expired in 2022. As a new home for the broadcast was not found in time, the AMAs didn’t take place in 2023. Currently, Dick Clark Productions has teamed up with CBS to continue airing what Variety calls “the world’s largest fan-voted award show.”

The AMAs are not only switching networks; they’re also moving to a different time of the year. Originally, the awards show took place in January or February. However, in 2003, it was shifted to November or December by ABC. When the AMAs return next year, they will make their debut in the month of May.

This year will feature an American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special which is planned to air on October 6 at 8 p.m. Eastern time on CBS. It will also be available for live streaming and on-demand viewing on Paramount+ with the Showtime bundle. For Paramount+ subscribers without the Showtime add-on, the special can be accessed on-demand the next day.

The special aims to celebrate 50 years of AMA history through performances, artist interviews, special guests, and more. CBS and Dick Clark Productions released a joint statement on the special’s content, emphasizing a trip down memory lane with highlights from the AMAs’ expansive archives. “The program will feature themed highlights from the AMAs’ expansive show archives, each culminating with an original performance or artist interview,” the statement read. “Segments will look back at the evolution of specific artists and genres at the AMAs, as well as underscore award and performance milestones.”

The special will showcase a blend of collaborations, debuts from contemporary stars, and appearances from legends of the AMA stage. Though the list of performers has yet to be announced, it promises to be a stellar line-up designed to honor half a century of musical achievements and memorable moments.

Stay tuned for updates regarding performer announcements in the coming weeks.

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