The Billboard Music Awards are honors given out annually by Billboard, a publication covering the music business and a music popularity chart. The Billboard Music Awards show had been held annually since 1990, with the exception of the years 2007 through 2010. The event was formerly staged in December but since returning in 2011, it has been held in May.
Unlike other awards, such as the Grammy Award, which determine nominations as a result of the highest votes received by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Billboard Music Awards finalists are based on album and digital songs sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring, and social engagement. These measurements are tracked year-round by Billboard and its data partners, including MRC Data and Next Big Sound. The 2018 awards were based on the reporting period of April 8, 2017 through March 31, 2018. Awards are given for the top album, artist and single in a number of different music genres.
Ceremonies[]
| Year | Date | Venue(s) | Host(s) | Most awards | Broadcaster |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | December 10 | Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, California | Paul Shaffer and Morris Day with Jerome Benton | Janet Jackson (8) | Fox |
| 1991 | December 9 | Paul Shaffer | Garth Brooks and C+C Music Factory (5 each) | ||
| 1992 | Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, California | Phil Collins | Michael Jackson (3) | ||
| 1993 | December 8 | Whitney Houston (11) | |||
| 1994 | December 7 | Dennis Miller and Heather Locklear | Ace of Base (2) | ||
| 1995 | December 6 | New York Coliseum, New York City, New York | Jon Stewart | TLC (3) | |
| 1996 | December 4 | Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada | Chris Rock | Mariah Carey (2) | |
| 1997 | December 8 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada | David Spade | Elton John (4) | |
| 1998 | December 7 | Kathy Griffin and Andy Dick | Next (8) | ||
| 1999 | December 8 | Kathy Griffin and Adam Carolla | Backstreet Boys (4) | ||
| 2000 | December 5 | Kathy Griffin and NSYNC | Sisqó (6) | ||
| 2001 | December 4 | Bernie Mac | R. Kelly and Tim McGraw (5 each) | ||
| 2002 | December 9 | Cedric the Entertainer | Ashanti (8) | ||
| 2003 | December 10 | Ryan Seacrest with Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson | R. Kelly (4) | ||
| 2004 | December 8 | Ryan Seacrest | Usher (11) | ||
| 2005 | December 6 | LL Cool J | 50 Cent and Green Day (6 each) | ||
| 2006 | December 4 | none | Mary J. Blige (9) | ||
| No awards held from 2007 to 2010 | |||||
| 2011 | May 22 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada | Ken Jeong | Eminem (6) | ABC |
| 2012 | May 20 | Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell | Adele (12) | ||
| 2013 | May 19 | Tracy Morgan | Taylor Swift (8) | ||
| 2014 | May 18 | Ludacris | Justin Timberlake (7) | ||
| 2015 | May 17 | Ludacris and Chrissy Teigen | Taylor Swift (8) | ||
| 2016 | May 22 | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada | Ludacris and Ciara | The Weeknd (8) | |
| 2017 | May 21 | Ludacris and Vanessa Hudgens | Drake (13) | ||
| 2018 | May 20 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada | Kelly Clarkson | Ed Sheeran and Kendrick Lamar (6 each) | NBC |
| 2019 | May 1 | Drake (12) | |||
| 2020 | October 14 | Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles, California | Post Malone (9) | ||
| 2021 | May 23 | Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California | Nick Jonas | The Weeknd (10) | |
| 2022 | May 15 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada | Sean "Diddy" Combs | Olivia Rodrigo (7) | |
| 2023 | November 19 | Virtual ceremony | none | Morgan Wallen (11) | Billboard.com |