Live Nation Jumps On Awards Show Bandwagon

Turner Broadcasting and Live Nation Entertainment have revealed plans for the Live Nation Music Awards, a new television event honoring the best live musical performances of the year. Set to be simulcast Oct. 1, 2015 on Turner’s TNT and TBS, the star-studded ceremony will be produced by the live entertainment company in collaboration with IMG and dick clark productions.

The show will honor the year’s most memorable performances in categories as varied as Live Performance of the Year, Best On-Stage Collaboration, Road Warrior of the Year, and Best Special Effects in a Festival. It will also feature unique, never-before-seen collaborations and special appearances.

Live Nation Entertainment’s president and CEO Michael Rapino will executive produce the show with Mark Shapiro, IMG’s Chief Content Officer; Allen Shapiro (So You Think You Can Dance, Golden Globe Awards), dick clark productions’ CEO; and Michael Rapino, dick clark productions’ president.

“With all the honors given to recorded music, it’s great to finally see awards created for live performances,” said David Eilenberg, senior vice president of unscripted series, specials and late night for TBS and TNT. “We’re proud to be joining forces with Live Nation, IMG, and dick clark productions to break new ground and honor the most exciting live musical performances of the year.”

“Touring is by far one of the most powerful platforms for artists to connect with their fans,” said Allen Shapiro. “I’m excited to launch a new franchise with Live Nation and IMG.”

IMG’s previous primetime productions include Christmas in Rockefeller Center, Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year, Boston Pops 4th of July Spectacular, the NHL All-Star Game and NHL Awards, and 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief.

dick clark productions is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the Academy of Country Music Awards, American Country Countdown Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, Golden Globe Awards, Hollywood Film Awards and The People Magazine Awards. Weekly television programming includes So You Think You Can Dance, World’s Funniest Fails, and Boom! (FOX).

Billboard recently celebrated the 11th anniversary of its own (non-televised) Touring Awards, and the CMA revived its non-televised SRO Awards, which took place 1990-97, before returning in 2012.