Nominations announced for the 2024 Billboard Music Awards including Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and more

As the year comes to a close, it's a time of reflection as many look back on the year that was 2024. This is also the time of the year when the coveted Billboard Music Awards take place.

The show, which has been around since 1990, highlights recording artists of all genres and celebrates their achievements, with winners being selected due to, "album and digital songs sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement—all of which are tracked year-round by Billboard."

Unlike other shows that rely on a voting system, the Billboard Music Awards focuses more on the data from, "year-end performance metrics on the Billboard charts."

The period for eligibility for the 2024 show is based on, "Billboard’s Year-End Charts tracking period, which measures music consumption from the charts dated Oct. 28, 2023 through Oct. 19, 2024."

If your favorite album came out anytime after October 19, it won't be eligible for receiving an award for the 2024 showcase but will be considered, if it does well and the sales and data back it, for the 2025 show next year.

This year, the Billboard Music Awards will return to Fox, its home channel where it aired from 1990 through 2006.

In addition to being broadcast on Fox, it will also be available on multiple platforms such as Paramount+, which, "will provide on-demand streaming of the show," and the free Fire TV Channels app, which will, "provide one-click access to fans using Amazon devices (Fire TV
smart TVs and streaming media players and Fire Tablets)," as Billboard explains.

An explanation for this big upgrade comes from Jay Penske, who is the chairman and CEO of PMC and CEO of Dick Clark Productions, which produces the show.

Penske explained that with multiple platforms and options for fans to have access to the show, they are, "ensuring fans have more options to watch the very artists they helped propel to the top of the charts."

He continued to say, "By partnering with Fox, Paramount+ and Fire TV Channels, we are able to reach music enthusiasts where they are, whether they’re tuning in on TV, streaming on-demand, or watching from their mobile devices.”

When it gets to the nominations, Zach Bryan is in the lead, being up for 18 awards and 21 entries in total.

Taylor Swift is next, being a finalist in 16 categories and 17 entries, followed by Morgan Wallen's 15 finalist entries in 13 categories, and Sabrina Carpenter with nine entries. While they're the top nominees, they're far from the only artists in the running for awards.

There are numerous artists who are finalists five or more times, including, "Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, Teddy Swims and Tyla (eight each); Bad Bunny, Benson Boone, Chandler Moore, Jung Kook, Naomi Raine, Shaboozey and SZA (six each); and KAROL G, Linkin Park and Maverick City Music, five each." Swims, Boone, Shaboozey, and Tyla are all first-time finalists for the Billboard Music Awards.

In addition, other first-time nominees that received multiple nominations include, "Tommy Richman (four), Falling in Reverse (three), Forest Frank (three), Junior H (three), Chappell Roan (two), ENHYPEN, (two), Muni Long (two), and The Red Clay Strays (two)."

It's a big deal to earn a recording contract and enter the music industry, but even more extraordinary to be nominated for a Billboard Music Award, and even more amazing to be a finalist for multiple awards so early in their careers.

There are new awards this year, including Top Hard Rock Album, Top Hard Rock Artist, and Top Hard Rock Song, with HARDY, Falling in Reverse, and Linkin Park well represented in these categories.

2024 was also a year of crossover hits, with recognition being given to Post Malone, Beyoncé, and Dolly Parton based on their cross-genre work during the year.

Shaboozey is set to perform a special show from the W Hollywood, with the announcement of additional performers and special guests to be announced in the coming days and weeks.

The Billboard Music Awards aim to continue the over 30-year tradition of celebrating, "music’s greatest achievements with exclusive original performances."

In addition, there will also be, "artist interviews, and award celebrations taking place from global locations and in the midst of sold-out tours."

The Awards will be hosted by comedian Michelle Buteau and is scheduled for Thursday, December 12 at 8:00 pm ET/PT on Fox and Fire TV Channels, and on-demand on Paramount+, with performances also rolling out across Billboard.com, and via BBMAs and Billboard social channels."

Especially in this day in age with the way people consume content on multiple platforms, be it streaming, on TV, on the internet with official websites, or via social media, this year's Billboard Music Awards looks to hit all potential audiences with such high accessibility.

The full list of nominees can be found on Billboard's official website, and with such an array of talented artists, it's always a plus to give recognition to such a diverse group, where every finalist is a spectacular and unique talent.