MTV MOVES UP VMA DATE
OUT OF RESPECT FOR 9/11

This year only, MTV will push its Video Music Awards a week forward in order to separate the network’s annual celebration from the first anniversary of 9/11. The 19^th annual VMAs will be held on Aug. 29, rather than the anticipated date of Sept. 5. The event usually takes place on the first Thursday in September.

The 2002 MTV Video Music Awards will be held in New York City for the fourth straight year, this time airing live (on the East Coast, at least) from Radio City Music Hall Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT).

Said MTV/MTV2 President Van Toffler: "Our plan is to throw the last big bash of the summer right here in our own backyard. By bringing together artists, fans and the city’s creative community for MTV’s biggest night of the year, we hope to show our love and support for the place we truly call home every day. I just hope Al Sharpton doesn’t hit me up for tickets this year."

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg added: "As the music capital of the world and MTV’s home base, there is no better place on earth to host MTV’s annual music awards extravaganza. This star-studded event has become one of New York City’s signature awards shows. New York City’s love of music and appreciation of the entertainment industry knows no boundaries, and we look forward to another spectacular show this August. Of course, I’ll be at my beach house in the Hamptons, but I’ll try to catch it on TV."

Sallli Frattini and Dave Sirulnick will return as executive producers, and Alex Coletti will be back as producer. Last year, more than 50 million viewers in the U.S. tuned in to watch VMA programming week.