Berlin to Host 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards

Berlin to Host 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards

MTV Returns to Celebrate the Twentieth Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

BERLIN, Nov. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV Networks International today announced that the city of Berlin, Germany, will host the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards. This is the fourth time that the Awards will be held in Germany as it returns to the original city where it was launched in 1994 to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

"The inaugural MTV Europe Music Awards took place in Berlin in 1994 and we are proud to be invited to return as part of the city's twentieth anniversary celebrations of the fall of the Berlin Wall," commented Richard Godfrey, Senior Vice President Content & Music, MTV Networks International and Executive Producer. "Not only will we be returning to the site of the very first MTV Europe Music Awards -- in front of the Brandenburg Gate -- but also taking advantage of Berlin's newest addition to the live music scene, the O2 World Arena."

The 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards will be held in front of the Brandenburg Gate as well as at the O2 World Arena in Berlin. This state-of-the-art, 17,000 seat, multi-purpose venue opened in September 2008, and is one of the most modern multifunction arenas in the world. "We've very happy to welcome the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards to Berlin and the O2 World," comments Detlef Kornett, Chief Executive Officer, Anschutz Entertainment Group. "We are proud to be able to provide the perfect stage for the best national and international talent of the music industry and we are looking forward to a spectacular show."

"We are very excited that the MTV Europe Music Awards are returning to the city that has been home to MTV Networks in Germany for almost five years now. We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to live and work in one of the most popular capitals in the world," added Dan Ligtvoet, Managing Director, MTV Networks Germany. "Berlin has an immensely rich history and has been the backdrop to fundamental historic events like the fall of the Wall 20 years ago. At the same time it harbours a diverse contemporary cultural scene which will make the MTV Europe Music Awards experience in 2009 an unforgettable one."

"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," commented Klaus Wowereit, Mayor of the City of Berlin. "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 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards -- which will be broadcast live across all platforms on Thursday 5th November 2009 -- is one of the most prestigious live music events. The 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards in Liverpool -- European Capital of Culture -- was broadcast in over 40 countries and featured performances by artists including Beyonce, P!nk, The Killers, Estelle, Kanye West and Kid Rock. Additionally MTV underlined its commitment to multi-platform content with a live webcast hosted by Perez Hilton.

Sony Ericsson is one of the pan-European partners of the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards. Sony Ericsson and MTV Networks International renewed the multi-platform, multi-territory partnership in 2008 and had previously partnered with MTV for the Awards in 2006 (Copenhagen) and 2007 (Munich). In 2008 Sony Ericsson launched a unique and original audience activation campaign -- the Sony Ericsson FanWalk -- which had 100 diehard music fans from across Europe walk from London to Liverpool to express their passion for music. During the course of the FanWalk, the participants undertook a series of challenges to find one lucky FanWalker who presented an MTV award on the night of the show.

Bill Roedy, Chairman & CEO, MTV Networks International concluded: "MTV has always had a very strong connection with the city of Berlin. Not only were we there in East Berlin when the Wall came down, but five years later we inaugurated the very first MTV Europe Music Awards at the Brandenburg Gate which not only celebrated the unification of Germany but also heralded a new age across Europe. And now exactly 20 years after the fall, we are returning to Berlin to help the city celebrate that momentous event and to recognise Berlin's position as one of the most vibrant, inspiring and influential cities in the world."

NOTE TO EDITORS:

About MTV Networks International -- MTV Networks International includes the premier multimedia entertainment brands MTV: Music Television, VH1, Nickelodeon, TMF (The Music Factory), VIVA, Flux, Paramount Comedy, Comedy Central, Game One, Neopets, GameTrailers, Shockwave, Addicting Games, Atom Films and Xfire. MTV Networks' brands are seen globally in 560 million households in 162 countries and 33 languages via more than 150 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 350 digital media properties. The company's diverse holdings also include interests in television syndication, digital media, publishing, home video, radio, recorded music, licensing & merchandising and two feature film divisions, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. MTV Networks is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) .

About Sony Ericsson -- Having sold over 100 million phones in 2007, Sony Ericsson is currently one of the five largest mobile phone manufacturers in the world. An important industry player operating in over 80 countries, our phones, accessories and PC cards are synonymous with innovation and style. With R&D sites in Europe, Japan, China, India and North America, diversity is one of the core strengths of the company. Sony Ericsson was established as a 50:50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London. For more information about Sony Ericsson please visit www.sonyericsson.com.

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Source: MTV Networks International

CONTACT: Sao Bui-Van of MTV Networks International, +44-208-284-6343,
Sao.Bui-Van@mtvne.com

Web Site: http://www.sonyericsson.com/.

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Profile: International Entertainment