Missy Elliott became the first female rapper to win the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

[4] The show was broadcast on a variety of Viacom-owned networks, as well as their respective websites, and apps through TV Everywhere authentication.

Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift had the most nominations with ten followed by Billie Eilish with nine and Lil Nas X received eight while two new categories were included: Best K-Pop and Video for Good (previously "Video with a Message").

[10] On August 19, three more categories were announced: Best Group, Best Power Anthem, and Song of Summer.

[11] The new categories increased the nominations for Grande and Swift to twelve each, Eilish to ten, and Lil Nas X to nine.