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The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards is the 13th annual ceremony celebrating the most‑played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations throughout 2025. This year’s show goes live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 8:00–10:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
Below, you’ll find our guide to watching the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards from anywhere with a VPN — including how you can stream securely if you’re away from home.
The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards air live on Thursday, March 26, at 8 p.m. ET on FOX, with a tape delay for the West Coast.
• U.S. — Thu, March 26 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX
• Canada — Thu, March 26 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards are set to be dominated by Taylor Swift and a fresh wave of pop stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Alex Warren — artists who are reshaping what a hit looks like in the streaming and TikTok era.
Swift leads the field with nine nominations, driven largely by her blockbuster album "The Life of a Showgirl" and the single “The Fate of Ophelia”, which recently broke her own record for the longest‑running No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100.
Tied for the second‑most nominations, with eight apiece, are Sabrina Carpenter (for “Manchild”), Alex Warren (for “Ordinary”), and Bad Bunny. Their strong showing underlines iHeartRadio’s focus on the artists who actually dominate airwaves and streams across both traditional radio and digital platforms throughout 2025.
To keep pace with how we listen now, the show has added three new categories for 2026: Favorite TikTok Dance, Favorite Debut Album, and Favorite K‑Pop Collab. Together, they’re a pretty clear statement of intent — this is an awards show that wants to sit at the crossroads of old‑school radio hits and viral social media moments.
Read on for everything you need to know about where to watch the iHeartRadio Music Awards online — including options for free trials and how to tune in from abroad with a VPN.
Watch the iHeartRadio Music Awards from anywhere
If you’re traveling when the show airs and find that your usual streaming apps are blocked or showing different content, a VPN (virtual private network) can be a lifesaver. It lets you securely connect to the internet via a server in your home country, which can make your device appear as if it’s back where you normally watch — so you can access the same streaming services you’re used to.
Our preferred option is NordVPN. In our testing, it consistently stands out for speed, reliability, and security, and it’s particularly strong at unblocking streaming services.
How to watch the iHeartRadio Music Awards in the U.S.
In the U.S., the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards are broadcast live on FOX at 8 p.m. ET.
Your main options are cable or antenna to watch your local FOX station live, and live TV streaming services that carry FOX (DIRECTV / Fubo / Hulu + Live TV / YouTube TV / Sling TV), depending on availability and packages.
If you’re fine with audio‑only coverage, you can also listen live on iHeartRadio stations nationwide or via the free iHeartRadio app.
Away from home? You can still keep up with your favorite shows from abroad by using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). We recommend NordVPN for its streaming performance and ease of use.
How to watch the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Canada
Canadian viewers can often access FOX through cable or satellite packages that include a U.S. affiliate, depending on their provider and location.
If you prefer to stream, you may be able to watch via a live TV service or package that carries FOX in Canada, depending on availability. You can also listen via iHeartRadio stations. In some years, Canadian broadcasters have partnered to air the show locally, so it’s worth checking listings closer to the night.
Outside the Great White North on awards night? A VPN lets you log into your usual Canadian streaming services from abroad as if you were still at home.
Can I watch the iHeartRadio Music Awards in the U.K.?
Right now, there’s no confirmed local U.K. TV broadcast, so your main route is still the U.S. FOX airing. The live U.S. start time of 8 p.m. ET translates to 12 a.m. GMT on Friday, March 27, in the U.K.
iHeartRadio’s “Yellow Carpet” coverage is typically streamed free on iHeartRadio’s social channels (YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook), and this is usually available globally.
If you’re a U.S. or Canadian national visiting the U.K., you don’t have to miss out. With a VPN like NordVPN, you can still access your usual streaming subscriptions and watch the show just as you would at home.
Can I watch the iHeartRadio Music Awards in the U.K.?
Australia doesn’t usually get a dedicated local TV broadcast of the full FOX show, so digital options are your best bet.
You can listen live via iHeartRadio stations for audio coverage of the event, or watch the “Yellow Carpet” pre‑show on iHeartRadio’s social platforms (YouTube, Twitch, Facebook), which is generally available worldwide.
Traveling abroad? With NordVPN, U.S. and Canadian nationals in Australia (or anywhere else) can securely access their usual domestic streaming services and follow the awards from wherever they are.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards FAQs
Which categories are fan-voted?
There are 11 public-voted categories for 2026, including:
• Best Lyrics
• Best Music Video
• Favorite TikTok Dance (new for 2026)
• Favorite Debut Album (new for 2026)
• Favorite K‑Pop Collab
• Favorite Tour Style
• Favorite Broadway Debut
…and more fan‑driven categories that spotlight the songs and artists listeners have kept on repeat all year.
How and when can I vote?
It’s now too late to cast a vote in the iHeartRadio Music Awards, as voting closed on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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