MAD Video Music Awards

The MAD Video Music Awards is Greece's only annual music awards ceremony, organized by MAD TV since 2004. The awards celebrate achievements in Greek music videos and popular music across 20 categories, with winners voted entirely by viewers. The 22nd edition took place in 2025 at the Faliro Sports Pavilion Arena in Athens, with Anna Vissi, Marina Satti, and MELISSES among the top winners.

How the MAD Video Music Awards Work

The awards follow a fan-driven selection process:

1. Nominations: Nominees are selected based on music video airplay on MAD TV, digital streaming performance, radio airplay data, and social media engagement. The Greek music market is the primary focus, with categories spanning pop, laiko, urban, dance, and ballad genres.
2. Voting: Winners are determined entirely by public voting through the MAD TV website and social media channels. This makes the MAD VMAs the only major music awards in Greece where fans decide all outcomes. Voting typically opens in the weeks leading up to the ceremony.
3. Ceremony: The awards ceremony takes place annually in late June or early summer, broadcast on Greek television. The event has been held at the Faliro Sports Pavilion Arena in Athens since 2010 (with occasional venue changes). The 2025 edition was the 22nd ceremony.

The awards were first held in 2004 at the Theatro Vrahon (Melina Mercouri Open Air Theatre) in Athens. The 17th edition in 2020 was initially canceled due to COVID-19 but was eventually held without a live audience on December 7-8, 2020, and broadcast on January 2, 2021.

Real-World Example: The 22nd Edition (2025)

The 2025 MAD Video Music Awards, presented by DEI, took place at the Faliro Sports Pavilion Arena in Athens. Anna Vissi was the biggest winner of the night, taking home two awards: Video of the Year for "Se Periptosi Pou" and Viral Song of the Year for the same track.

Marina Satti also won two awards. She took Best Album for "P.O.P.," a record that blends Greek sounds, Mediterranean rhythms, and modern production. She also won Best Pop/Adult for "Ah Thalassa," a song with international production quality.

MELISSES won Pop Artist of the Year, confirming their influence in the Greek pop scene. Eleni Foureira won Best Performer for 2025, marking her 15th year appearing on the MAD VMA stage. She also won Viral Artist of the Year. Despina Vandi and Mente Fuerte won both Airplay Song and Best Duet for "Panselinios."

Klavdia won Best Ballad for "Asteromata." Apon won Digital Song of the Year for "Vorias." Konstantinos Argiros took Laiko Artist of the Year, and Katerini Lioliou won Best Laiko for "O Antras Ton Oneiron Mou."

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

The MAD Video Music Awards are entirely fan-voted, which means independent Greek artists with dedicated fanbases can compete directly with established major label acts. The 20 categories cover a wide range of genres, from pop and dance to laiko and urban, giving artists in niche Greek genres a realistic path to a nomination.

The Best New Artist category specifically targets emerging talent. Social media engagement directly feeds into both nominations and voting, so artists who build strong online communities have a clear advantage. Eleni Foureira's 15-year run on the MAD VMA stage shows that consistent fan engagement sustains awards relevance over a long career.

For independent artists in the Greek market, focus on music video production (since MAD TV is a video music channel), social media engagement, and streaming performance during the eligibility period. Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to track your performance. Check the MAD VMA website for voting dates and eligibility requirements.

Related Resources

• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Track streaming performance that feeds into MAD VMA nominations
• Target Streams Calculator - Set streaming goals for awards eligibility
• 21 Ways Musicians Can Earn Income - Build revenue alongside awards strategy
• How to Get Your Music on Spotify Playlists - Playlist placement drives streaming data behind nominations
• When and How to Hire a Music Manager - A manager can help coordinate awards campaigns in the Greek market