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Big names such as Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, BLACKPINK’s JENNIE, KATSEYE, Morgan Wallen and more are nominated for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, making the award show one to watch.
The show, hosted by Ludacris, is set to air live Thursday, March 26, at 8 p.m. ET (PT tape-delayed) on Fox, and will take place in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theater. Swift is set to make a special appearance and is leading nominations with nine, followed closely by Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and Alex Warren with eight each. Swift is the most decorated artist in iHeart’s award show history with 34 awards to her name. She is also the only singer to win Song of the Year twice, for tracks “Shake It Off” in 2015 and “Anti-Hero” in 2023. Other artists set to perform throughout the night include Alex Warren, Lainey Wilson, Ludacris, RAYE, TLC, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue.
2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards at a Glance
- Date/Time – Thursday, March 26 at 8 p.m. ET (PT tape-delayed)
- Streaming – DIRECTV, Sling Blue, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV
- Network – Fox
Categories to watch include song of the year with nominees such as Doechii, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, Alex Warren, and album of the year with hard-hitters including Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae and Taylor Swift. We’ve got some big names on the nominees list as mentioned, along with intense fan-voted categories such as favorite TikTok dance, favorite Broadway debut, favorite K-pop collab and favorite tour style, just to name a few. The 11 fan categories can still be voted on via iHeart Radio’s website.
How to Watch the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards Online for Free
As mentioned, the 2026 iHeart Radio Music Awards will air live on Fox Thursday, March 26, at 8/7c. There are multiple ways you can tune into the show for free. Keep reading to find out more.
DIRECTV
If you’re looking to tune into the show, consider DIRECTV. The service’s ENTERTAINMENT package, giving you access to Fox, as well as ESPN Unlimited and over 130 channels all in one neat package. This package is currently $89.99 per month. If you’re unsure about committing to a new subscription, you can simply try the service out for free for five days.
Sling Blue
For those looking to watch the award show, Sling Blue is another option that includes Fox. The service costs $45.99 a month and includes 40-plus channels along with Fox such as CNN, TNT, NFL Network, Bravo, NBC and more. With your subscription, you’ll have access to the holiday special, along with all the live sports and news you could ever want. Unfortunately, Sling Blue does not have a free trial option.
Fubo
Another way to watch the award show via Fox is on Fubo, which has a five-day free trial available here. Fubo’s package includes free DVR so you can record the show to watch all the greatest moments back on-demand. Continue with one of Fubo’s streaming deals or cancel before your free trial is up to avoid being charged. See details here.
Hulu + Live TV
Another option for our readers is a Hulu + Live TV subscription, given that Fox is included in the live TV channel lineup. The service’s live package includes major networks along with MTV, like ABC, NBC and more for all your live TV viewing needs. A subscription to the service (with ads) will cost $89.99 per month, while the plan without ads goes for $99.99 per month.
This subscription gives you access to the titles in Hulu’s library, along with live TV programs 24/7. This is one of the more pricey plans on our list. However, the bundle is well worth the price, thanks to the added Hulu titles, which include music-themed shows and movies.
More About the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards
Big names like Olympian Alysa Liu, Ne-Yo, Nicole Scherzinger, Nikki Glaser, Sombr, Weezer, and more will make appearances at the ceremony. Ludacris will receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Landmark Award, while Miley Cyrus will be honored with the 2026 iHeartRadio Innovator Award and Alex Warren will receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award. Folk and rock artist John Mellencamp, otherwise known as Johnny Cougar, with the 2026 iHeartRadio Icon Award. Other recipients of the Icon Award include Mariah Carey in 2025, Cher in 2024, Pink in 2023, Jennifer Lopez in 2022, Elton John in 2021 and Bon Jovi in 2018.
