iHeartRadio Music Awards

The iHeartRadio Music Awards launched in 2014 as a data-driven alternative to traditional critic-based awards shows. Winners are determined primarily by iHeartMedia's own radio airplay data and digital streaming metrics, with a handful of fan-voted categories like Best Fan Army and Best Lyrics. The inaugural ceremony took place on May 1, 2014, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, broadcast live on NBC.

Since then, the awards have moved between networks, airing on NBC from 2014 to 2018, then switching to Fox in 2019 and 2020, back to NBC from 2021 to 2023, and returning to Fox in 2024. The 11th annual ceremony was held on April 1, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre, featuring a new Favorite On Screen category and a tribute to the 40th anniversary of Prince's Purple Rain. The 12th edition is scheduled for March 17, 2025.

Unlike the Grammy Awards, where industry professionals vote, the iHeartRadio Music Awards reflect pure commercial popularity. This has drawn criticism for favoring mainstream pop acts over independent or diverse artists. In 2019, Taylor Swift won Tour of the Year despite not being nominated in fan-voted categories, sparking backlash. Still, the ceremony remains a major promotional platform for artists and a key brand-building event for iHeartMedia, which reported $3.6 billion in revenue in 2023.[edit]