ABC aired the American Music Awards from the inaugural 1974 ceremony through the 2022 ceremony. The network became the show’s original broadcaster after its contract to air the Grammy Awards expired and the Grammys moved to CBS, creating an opening for Dick Clark’s new awards program.
The first AMAs aired on ABC on February 19, 1974. For decades, the ceremony remained a major part of the network’s entertainment schedule, even as its calendar position changed. Early shows were held in February, many later ceremonies took place in January, and the event moved to November beginning in 2003.
The 2022 ceremony, hosted by Wayne Brady on November 20, was the final American Music Awards broadcast on ABC. The show then went on hiatus for 2023 and 2024. A later deal moved the ceremony to CBS, which broadcast the 2025 edition. Thus, ABC is the correct answer for the historical period specified, not the network that broadcasts the show today.