Voot Select and Vh1 India kick-off the first major award event since the pandemic – 2020 Video Music Awards

Being held outdoors in New York, the event features a power-packed performance line-up including BTS, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Miley Cyrus, Chloe x Halle, Jack Harlow, Lewis Capaldi, Tate McRae and Machine Gun Kelly ~

~ Paying homage to the stellar resilience and unshakeable spirit of the people around the world, the 2020 Video Music Awards will honor music videos created at home during the pandemic ~

~ Ariana Grande & Lady Gaga lead the nomination race with 9 nods each, followed by Billie Eilish & The Weeknd with six nominations ~

~ Watch the complete event starting with the red carpet at 5:30pm, followed by the main event at 7pm, and repeat telecast at 9:30pm, exclusively on Voot Select and Vh1 India ~

Excitement around the world is palpable, as the 2020 Video Music Awards becomes the first major event in these unprecedented times. All eyes will be set on the grand stage as the iconic award show will be exclusively available on Voot Select and on Vh1 India on Monday August 31, starting with the Red-Carpet special at 5:30pm, followed by the main show at 7pm.

Bringing the first major event to viewers, Ferzad Palia, Head – Voot Select, Youth, Music and English Entertainment, Viacom18, said “We’re living in extraordinary times during which music has kept up spirits and been one of the primary sources of entertainment for most of us. At Vh1 India, we continue to ply viewers with the best and latest of lifestyle, music & music-related content including the biggest award shows and events. Along with Vh1 India, showcasing the 2020 VMA on Voot Select is yet another step in satiating the entertainment and content needs of viewers by letting them choose their preferred mode and platform of consumption. We’re constantly scaling the reach of our offerings for viewers, thus keeping them perpetually entertained.”

Hosted by the quintessential Keke Palmer, this year’s awards will take viewers around the magnificent city of New York with stellar artists such as Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Miley Cyrus, Black Eyed Peas and many more coming together for the first time since the global pandemic. Adding to the evening filled with star-studded and glamorous performances, BTS will be performing their latest record-breaking single.

With 9 nods each, Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga lead the nominations, followed by Billie Eilish and The Weeknd with six each and 17-year old Tate McRae bagging her first nomination in the ‘Push Best New Artist’ category. The 2020 edition will also see the introduction of two new categories – ‘Best Music Video From Home’ and ‘Best Quarantine Performance’ to recognize and toast the artists that didn’t let the pandemic stop the music.

Clashes to look out for at the 2020 VMA’s

Video Of The Year: Rap God Eminem returns with ‘Godzilla’ that is nominated for ‘Video of the year’ against ‘The Man’ by Taylor Swift, ‘Rain On Me’ by Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande, ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weeknd and ‘Life is Good’ by Future ft Drake.

Best Music Video From Home: The trending new category will witness a compelling battle unfold between ‘Wildflower’ by 5 Seconds of Summer, ‘Stuck With U’ by Ariana Grande & Justin Bieber, ‘Happy Days’ by Blink-182, ‘Toosie Slide’ by Drake, ‘Bigger Love’ by John Legend and ‘Levels of concern’ by Twenty One Pilots

Best Quarantine Performance: The 2^nd new category introduced will see Lady Gaga (‘Smile’ from One World: Together At Home) battle it out against Post Malone (Nirvana Tribute), John Legend (#TogetherAtHome Concert Series), DJ D-Nice (Club MTV Presents: #DanceTogether), CNCO (MTV Unplugged At Home) and Chloe x Halle (‘Do It’ from MTV’s Prom-Athon).

Join in the excitement as the 2020 Video Music Awards unfolds exclusively on Voot Select and Vh1 India, on Monday, August 31 starting at 5:30pm with the repeat telecast at 9:30pm

ABOUT Vh1 India:

Vh1 is India”s only 24-hour International entertainment channel that provides viewers with their daily dose of International music, Hollywood, Pop culture and Lifestyle. Vh1 is a part of Viacom 18. Since its inception in January 2005, Vh1 has grown tremendously reaching over 75 million people in India. Vh1 India has grown the English music audience by 180% in the last 5 years alone. The channel has pioneered the heady combination of programming content and lives on ground activities. Vh1 has been committed to bringing to Indian audiences the best of international music genres like EDM, punk, rock, reggae, hip hop, pop, jazz etc. Through their international properties like “Rock Rules”, “Jazz Masters”, “Hip-Hop Hustle” & “Handpicked” Vh1 has successfully brought down, artists such as Anoushka Shankar, Wyclef Jean, Kardinal Offishall, Mobb Deep, Flipsyde, Jazz legend Herbie Hancock & chart topper Simon Webbe. From 2011, Vh1 India also secured a multi-year deal for Music”s Biggest Event – The Grammys. This deal has spearheaded Vh1 as the No.1 viewing destination for the youth in the English entertainment and lifestyle space. Globally, Vh1 is available across 148 million households in over 124 countries/territories.

ABOUT VOOT SELECT:

Voot Select is Viacom18’s premium subscription led video on demand streaming service that offers you access to the best Indian and International content across genres. Along with some of the most popular network shows, the platform boasts of promising Voot Select originals, specially curated international content, live TV and much more. The diverse range of offerings make Voot Select one of the most sought-after content destinations in the streaming space. With an exalting purview of more than 15000 hours of content, ranging across 10 languages, Voot Select caters to the never-ending needs of a discerning digital audience across segments. Made for stories, the premium OTT platform from the house of Viacom18 offers critically acclaimed Indian originals along with exclusive global content from studios like CBS, like CBS, CBS All Access, Showtime, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Chelsea TV, Arsenal TV, Real Madrid TV, BBC, and Sony Pictures, among others. Voot Select, the home for great stories is available for Android, iOS and web users for INR 99 per month or INR 999 for an annual subscription.

ABOUT VIACOM18:

Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. is one of India”s fastest growing entertainment networks and a house of iconic brands that offers multi-platform, multi-generational and multicultural brand experiences. A joint venture of TV18, which owns 51%, and Viacom Inc., with a 49% stake, Viacom18 defines entertainment in India by touching the lives of people through its properties on air, online, on ground, in shop and through cinema.