Governor Cuomo Approves MTV Awards Held In Brooklyn
As the pandemic rages on, many awards shows have been figuring out how they will be pulling their broadcasts off safely. Currently, the MTV awards are working with New York’s Governor Mario Cuomo to figure out a plan for broadcasting the show at Brooklyn’s Barclay Center.
Cuomo held a press conference Monday confirming that the show would be taking place in the city on August 30. He sees this as another step in New York’s reopening plan and promised that safety precautions would be taken to keep things COVID compliant “including limiting or no audience.”
MTV and the Barclay Center have been doing their part coming up with a plan that “does not compromise the health or safety of anyone involved with the event”. Measures that will be taken include, “extensive social procedures, meaningful capacity limitations, the virtualization of components where possible and limited capacity or no audience.”
MTV has revealed that the VMA’s will be featuring “epic performances from various iconic locations” across all five boroughs.
Bruce Gilmer, Viacom Media Networks president of music, music talent and programming had this to say, “We’re elated to bring the 2020 VMAs back to NYC, the cultural mecca of the world where music and entertainment are woven into the DNA”.
MTV has been working out a plan to safely pull of the VMA’s since back in May. They were hoping to pull of some sort of physical production although they were also considering virtual performances and an audience free show.
Cuomo’s decision to approve the MTV awards is notable since New York was a hotbed for the pandemic just a few months ago. However, cases have significantly dropped in the city since then and New York is moving forward with a reopening plan that’s a work in progress.
The city is headed towards phase 3 of their reopening plan set to go into effect on July 6. This would include the reopening of indoor dining facilities. However, the governor is rethinking this decision based on how sharply cases have risen in other parts other the country that have been reopening.
It is fitting for MTV to choose New York as the location for their awards show. The first VMA’s were held at New York’s Radio City Music Hall back in 1984. Since then, the show typically broadcasts from Los Angeles or New York although it has been hosted in Las Vegas and Miami as well.
The VMA’s are Video Music Awards presented by MTV to honor the best in video medium. Since 2006, viewers have been able to vote for their favorite videos in all categories by visiting the MTV website. The awards show’s ability to attract so many young fans has earned it the nickname “Superbowl for Youth”.
It will be interesting to see how this show goes but it is fortunate that it is happening at all. Be sure to vote for your faves and tune in on August 30 to find out the results.
