The major factor which contributed to the drop in ratings was most likely altering the program's broadcast date to Thursday instead of Sunday, the day MTV had been using since 2004, with the exception of the 2006 ceremony.

MTV also moved up the telecast to 8pm instead of 9pm, to avoid competing with President Barack Obama's speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

[2] Rihanna (featuring Calvin Harris) – "We Found Love" Chris Brown – "Turn Up the Music" Nicki Minaj – "Starships" One Direction – "What Makes You Beautiful" One Direction – "What Makes You Beautiful" Coldplay – "Paradise" Drake (featuring Lil Wayne) – "HYFR" Calvin Harris – "Feel So Close" M.I.A.

– "Bad Girls" (Director: Romain Gavras) Chris Brown – "Turn Up the Music" (Choreographer: Anwar "Flii" Burton) Skrillex – "First of the Year (Equinox)" (Visual Effects: Deka Brothers and Tony "Truand" Datis) Katy Perry – "Wide Awake" (Art Director: Benji Bamps) Beyoncé – "Countdown" (Editors: Alexander Hammer and Jeremiah Shuff) M.I.A.

– "Bad Girls" (Director of Photography: André Chemetoff) Demi Lovato – "Skyscraper" One Direction – "What Makes You Beautiful" Romeo Santos[10]