MTV Networks International has unveiled Berlin as the city that will host the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) on Nov. 5.
It will be the fourth time that the awards ceremony, which is broadcast on MTV across Europe and screened in the U.S., has been staged in Germany. The inaugural EMAs were staged in Berlin in 1994; it will be the first time a city has staged the EMAs for a second time.
The 2009 show will also mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, alongside the city’s own program of commemorative events.
The awards will be broadcast from two locations: the recently opened 17,000-seat O2 World Arena operated by AEG and an outdoor event in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
Richard Godfrey, senior VP content & music, MTV Networks International and executive producer, told Billboard.biz that three major acts have already signed up to perfom at the show, although he would not yet go public on the names. He said there will be artist performances at both locations.
“Because we’re going to be part of the 20th anniversary of the Wall coming down and all the celebrations around that, I think it will have a real relevance,” said Godfrey. “We’ll be the first event in the official celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Wall coming down. It’s going to be exciting.”
The announcement was officially made at the O2 World Arena today (Nov. 26).
“I think it will work perfectly for our show,” said Godfrey. “It’s a huge, modern state-of-the-art arena. And combined with a spectacular outdoor setting, I think we’ll have a great show.”
“Berlin is proud to be hosting the MTV Europe Music Awards next year. Once again, MTV has chosen Berlin, this time during the year we will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall,” said Klaus Wowereit, mayor of the City of Berlin, in a statement. “This event is a huge gain for the city, and we are looking forward to welcoming many international stars to Berlin. MTV’s choice of Berlin to host the MTV Europe Music Awards for the second time since 1994 is a strong statement of support for Berlin as a creative sector and media industry location.”
The 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards was staged in Liverpool last month and was broadcast in over 40 countries. It featured performances by artists including Beyonce, Pink, The Killers, Estelle, Kanye West and Kid Rock. MTV Networks International says it received a total of 100 million votes online across all categories.
Sony Ericsson is again one of the pan-European partners of the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards.
