The conclusion of both the writers’ and SAG-AFTRA strikes marks the beginning of a bustling awards season, with the 2023 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) next in line. This year, the BBMAs are undergoing significant changes, including the addition of nine new awards categories, a global ceremony format, and an audience comprised solely of devoted fans, thanks to Spotify’s assistance.
Taylor Swift is at the forefront of this year’s nominees with 20 nominations, poised to potentially overtake Drake’s record for the most Billboard Music Awards and possibly set a new record for the most awards won in a single night, a title currently held by Drake. Close behind Swift, SZA and Morgan Wallen are each in the running with 17 nominations.
The list of performers for this weekend’s award show is being announced daily by Billboard. In a departure from traditional ceremonies, this year’s performances will take place at various unique locations around the world. For example, Morgan Wallen is set to perform “98 Braves” in front of a gathering of former ‘98 Braves MLB players at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. The lineup also includes Mariah Carey, who is slated to deliver a holiday-themed performance of “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” along with David Guetta, Bebe Rexha, Karol G, and NewJeans.
For those interested in watching the updated format of the Billboard Music Awards, here are the details:
The 2023 Billboard Music Awards are scheduled for Sunday, November 19, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Rather than traditional television broadcasting, the event will be live-streamed on BBMAs.watch and Billboard’s social media channels.
The event will showcase performances from artists like Morgan Wallen, the K-pop supergroup NewJeans, Bebe Rexha, among others.
Regarding the nominations, following Taylor Swift’s lead are Morgan Wallen and SZA, each with 17 nominations. They are followed by The Weeknd with 16 nominations, and both Drake and Zach Bryan with 14 each. A comprehensive list of all 2023 BBMA nominees is available.