Television Schedule Shake-Up Creates Major Programming Changes This Fall

A significant shift in television programming is about to disrupt the viewing habits of millions of fans across America. This Sunday marks a historic moment for one of music’s biggest annual celebrations, but the change comes at the cost of displacing beloved reality television programming that has maintained a consistent schedule for months.

MTV Video Music Awards Make Historic CBS Debut

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards will be making television history this Sunday as they air on CBS for the first time ever. This unprecedented move represents a major strategic shift for the iconic music awards show, bringing it to a broader mainstream audience through one of America’s most-watched broadcast networks.

The decision to move the VMAs to CBS comes after years of the show being primarily associated with MTV and its sister networks. In 2024, the ceremony was broadcast across an impressive array of channels including BET, BET Her, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop, TV Land, and VH1, in addition to its traditional home on MTV. This multi-network approach proved highly successful, generating the biggest multi-network audience in four years with a remarkable 25% increase year-over-year in viewership.

The announcement of CBS as the new home for the 2025 VMAs was made back in April, giving the network and viewers months to prepare for this significant programming change. The move represents CBS’s commitment to diversifying its entertainment portfolio and attracting younger demographics who might not typically tune into the network’s programming.

Big Brother 27 Faces Scheduling Disruption

The VMAs’ historic debut on CBS comes with consequences for existing programming, particularly affecting one of the network’s most loyal fanbases. Big Brother 27, which has been consistently airing on Sundays since its premiere in July, will be pushed back from its regular time slot to accommodate the awards show.

This scheduling change affects more than just a single episode. Big Brother has established a reliable three-episode-per-week format that fans have come to depend on, with episodes typically airing on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Each episode serves a specific purpose in the show’s competitive structure: Sunday episodes feature the Head of Household (HoH) competition, Wednesday episodes showcase the Power of Veto (PoV) competition, and Thursday episodes culminate in the dramatic eviction ceremonies.

To maintain this carefully crafted format while accommodating the VMAs, CBS has made the decision to move the displaced Sunday episode to Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. This ensures that the competitive sequence remains intact, preserving the show’s narrative flow and maintaining the strategic timeline that both contestants and viewers rely upon.

Extended Programming Complications

The scheduling complications extend beyond just this weekend’s VMAs broadcast. The following week presents another significant challenge with the Emmy Awards scheduled to air on Sunday, September 14. This creates a domino effect that will further disrupt Big Brother’s established rhythm.

Unlike the VMAs week, where CBS is moving the Sunday episode to Tuesday to maintain three episodes, the Emmy week will result in a reduced episode count. Instead of the usual Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday lineup, viewers will only receive new episodes on Wednesday, September 17, and Thursday, September 18. No additional Tuesday episode will be scheduled to compensate for the Sunday preemption during Emmy week.

This reduction in episodes during Emmy week represents a more significant disruption to the show’s format, potentially compressing storylines and strategic developments that would normally unfold over three episodes into just two. For a show that thrives on the gradual build-up of tension and strategy throughout the week, this compressed schedule could impact both the viewer experience and the contestants’ gameplay dynamics.

However, dedicated Big Brother fans do have one additional viewing option to partially offset these schedule changes. Big Brother Unlocked, which airs on Fridays, provides supplementary content and behind-the-scenes material that can help maintain fan engagement during weeks with reduced regular programming.

The Star-Studded VMAs Lineup

The 2025 VMAs promise to deliver a spectacular show worthy of its historic CBS debut. LL Cool J will serve as host for the ceremony, bringing his decades of entertainment experience and charismatic presence to the UBS Arena in New York. The show will air live at 8 p.m. ET, with simultaneous broadcasting on MTV and streaming availability on Paramount+, ensuring maximum accessibility across multiple platforms.

The nomination landscape for 2025 showcases the current powerhouses of the music industry. Lady Gaga leads the field with an impressive 12 nominations, demonstrating her continued relevance and artistic impact across multiple musical genres and visual mediums. Following closely behind, Bruno Mars has secured 11 nominations, while Kendrick Lamar rounds out the top three with 10 nominations. This trio represents the diverse range of contemporary music, from pop spectacle to sophisticated R&B and conscious hip-hop.

The performance lineup promises to deliver the memorable moments that have made the VMAs essential viewing for music fans. Confirmed performers include a diverse mix of established stars and emerging talents: Alex Warren, Busta Rhymes, J Balvin, DJ Snake, Justin Quiles, Lenny Tavárez, Ricky Martin, Sabrina Carpenter, and sombr. This eclectic mix spans multiple genres and demographics, reflecting MTV’s commitment to representing the full spectrum of contemporary music culture.

Special Tributes and Career Celebrations

Two major tribute performances will anchor the ceremony’s special moments. Mariah Carey, who will receive the prestigious Video Vanguard Award, will perform a career-spanning medley of her greatest hits. This honor recognizes not just her musical achievements but her significant contributions to music video artistry throughout her career. Carey’s performances have consistently pushed creative boundaries in the medium, making her a fitting recipient for MTV’s highest honor.

The second major tribute will celebrate rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, featuring a collaboration between Aerosmith members Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, along with Yungblud and Nuno Bettencourt. This intergenerational tribute demonstrates MTV’s respect for rock music’s legacy while showcasing how contemporary artists continue to be influenced by legendary performers.

Network Strategy and Future Implications

CBS’s decision to host the VMAs represents a broader strategic shift in how traditional broadcast networks approach younger audiences and contemporary culture. By bringing one of music’s most youth-oriented award shows to their platform, CBS demonstrates an understanding that demographic diversification requires bold programming choices.

The network’s willingness to disrupt its established programming schedule, including moving a successful reality show like Big Brother, indicates the significant value they place on the VMAs partnership. This move could signal future collaborations between CBS and MTV properties, potentially reshaping how award shows and special events are distributed across Viacom’s network family.

Viewer Adaptation and Expectations

For television viewers, these scheduling changes require adaptation and flexibility. Big Brother fans will need to adjust their weekly viewing routines, particularly during these next two weeks when the show faces displacement. However, CBS’s commitment to maintaining the episode count where possible (moving Sunday to Tuesday for VMAs week) demonstrates respect for the show’s dedicated fanbase.

The network is also ensuring that displaced content remains accessible through streaming platforms, with Big Brother episodes available on Paramount+ the day after broadcast. This multi-platform approach helps minimize viewer frustration while accommodating the special programming needs of major events like the VMAs and Emmys.

Looking Forward

As Sunday approaches, television viewers face an interesting choice between established loyalty and historic television moments. While Big Brother fans will need to wait until Tuesday for their next dose of house drama, the VMAs offer a unique opportunity to witness television history as the show makes its CBS debut.

The success of this weekend’s VMAs on CBS could influence future award show distribution and potentially create new opportunities for cross-network collaboration within the Viacom family. For now, viewers can mark their calendars for Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET when Big Brother returns to its competitive drama, while Sunday promises to deliver musical spectacle worthy of its historic new home.

Rest assured, despite these temporary scheduling adjustments, both shows will continue to deliver the entertainment value their audiences expect, just with slightly modified timing that reflects the dynamic nature of contemporary television programming.