City in running for MTV Awards

Dec 13 2006 by Sam Lister, Liverpool Daily Post

The host city changes every year and so far, the United Kingdom has hosted the event twice – once in London and once in Edinburgh.

Over the years, presenters have included Robbie Williams, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera and the show is broadcast live on MTV Europe, MTV and most of the international MTV channels as well as online.

It attracts the biggest international celebrities such as Madonna, Beyoncé, and Coldplay. Merseyside’s James Bond, Daniel Craig, also attended this year’s event.

If Liverpool’s bid is successful, the new Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool, at Kings Dock, is expected to be the chosen venue.

City council leader Warren Bradley said: “I’m very supportive of the bids to bring some of the biggest international events in the country.” The MTV Europe awards generate around 77 hours of global television viewing time and is shown live in 17 countries.

On top of the Turner Prize, the Royal Variety performance and the Christmas nativity play, it would guarantee Liverpool a global profile over the next two years.

The successful city is not expected to be announced for 12 months.

Last night, Liverpool Culture Company refused to confirm that it was taking part in any negotiations over a deal.

But chief executive Jason Harborow said: “As part of our strategy for 2008, everybody in the city wants to see the best possible events being hosted in Liverpool.

“Already a number of key televised events are taking place in the city. We are in discussions with a number of organisations and we will confirm further events when negotiations come to fruition.”

No one from MTV was able to comment.

An event with a potential audience of 1.4bn   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>