If you’re looking for the short answer to when is the iheartradio music awards 2025, it already went down on Monday, March 17, 2025. It was a massive night in Los Angeles. Honestly, the vibe was a bit different this time around because the show wasn't just about the trophies; it was a huge fundraiser for the city after some pretty brutal wildfires.
The 12th annual ceremony aired live on FOX starting at 8:00 PM ET. If you were on the West Coast, you probably caught the tape-delayed version. For everyone else, it was a social media frenzy from the second LL COOL J stepped onto the stage at the Dolby Theatre.
The Date and Venue Breakdown
The ceremony stuck to its tradition of taking over Hollywood in early spring. Specifically, the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025 took place on Saint Patrick’s Day. While most people were out grabbing a green beer, the music industry was busy crowning Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen.
LL COOL J returned to host, and he’s basically become the face of this thing. He’s got that veteran energy that keeps a live show from spiraling into total chaos. The Dolby Theatre was packed, and the broadcast ran for a tight two hours. If you missed it, the show focused on the most-played artists across iHeartRadio stations throughout 2024.
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Why the March 17 date mattered
Most awards shows are moving around these days. The Grammys usually take the winter slot, but iHeartRadio has carved out this mid-March sweet spot. It’s right when spring tours are kicking off.
- Broadcast Partner: FOX
- Radio Coverage: Over 150 iHeartMedia stations
- Digital Stream: iHeartRadio App
- Start Time: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT
Who Actually Showed Up?
The performer lineup was stacked. Billie Eilish performed "Wildflower," which was a total mood shift for the room. Bad Bunny was there too, bringing a massive energy that you'd expect from a guy who basically owns the global charts.
One of the coolest moments was a pre-recorded performance from Taylor Swift. It wasn't just some random clip; it was an exclusive look at the opening night of the Eras Tour from Glendale, Arizona. Since the Eras Tour had its two-year anniversary on the same day as the awards, it felt like a full-circle moment.
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Nelly also got a lot of love. He was handed the iHeartRadio Landmark Award. If you grew up in the 2000s, you know how much "Country Grammar" and "Dilemma" changed things. Seeing him do a medley was probably the highlight for anyone over the age of 30.
The Winners That Dominated the Night
Taylor Swift didn't just show up on a screen; she dominated. She walked away with nine awards, including Artist of the Year. It's getting to the point where they might as well name the trophy after her.
Morgan Wallen and Kendrick Lamar were also high on the list of nominees. Kendrick’s "Not Like Us" was everywhere in 2024, so it wasn't a shock to see it cleaning up in the Hip-Hop categories.
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Key Winner Highlights
Sabrina Carpenter took home Pop Artist of the Year. It’s been a wild ride for her lately. Chappell Roan was also in the mix for several awards, showing how much the "Midwest Princess" has shifted the pop landscape. Lady Gaga was honored as the Innovator, and Mariah Carey received the Icon Award.
How the Fans Changed the Game
One thing about the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025 that most people forget is the fan voting. This isn't just some secret committee in a dark room. Fans actually get to vote for things like Best Lyrics and Best Music Video.
This year, they added some weirdly specific but fun categories. We’re talking Favorite Tour Tradition (won by Taylor Swift’s surprise songs) and Favorite K-pop Dance Challenge. It makes the show feel more like a giant internet hang than a stiff corporate event.
Missing the 2025 Show? Here’s What to Do Next
If you’re reading this because you realized you missed the live broadcast, don’t sweat it. You can usually find the individual performances on the official iHeartRadio YouTube channel.
- Check YouTube: iHeartRadio uploads the high-def clips of the big performances (like Billie Eilish and Bad Bunny) within 24 hours.
- Social Clips: TikTok is basically a graveyard of the best "unscripted" moments from the audience. Search for the hashtag #iHeartAwards2025.
- Donations: If you want to support the cause mentioned during the show, you can still look into Fireaidla.org to help with the Los Angeles wildfire recovery.
Keep an eye out for the 2026 dates, which usually get announced in early January. If history repeats itself, you'll want to clear your calendar for late March.