9/14/2009

in

This year's MTV Video Music Awards picked up nearly nine million viewers, most likely due to Michael Jackson and "Twilight" fans.

Natalie Gregory

This year's MTV Video Music Awards marked an increase in ratings. Around nine million viewers tuned in this year, the biggest audience since 2004, according to [RollingStone](http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/09/15/mtvs-2009-vmas-pull-nine-million-viewers-best-ratings-since-04/).  
  
The jump could be the result of the Michael Jackson tribute performance given by sister Janet (with a surprise visit by Madonna, who paid her own tribute), as well as the premiere trailer for a Jackson documentary. Another factor could have been the extended trailer premiere of the new "Twlight" installment, "New Moon," presented by Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson. The three actors draw quite the buzz, especially the dating rumors surrounding Pattinson and Stewart.  
  
The awards were certainly up against some tough competition, including the NFL season opener and the season finale of "True Blood," although subscribers of HBO know that they can probably catch the show earlier or on-demand, depending on their subscription.