MTV LatAM To Be Aired Over 410 Million Homes Around The World.

MTV Networks Latin America announced that the first annual “MTV Video Music Awards Latin America” will be broadcast in Spanish to more than 410 million households around the world with a potential viewing audience of over 1 billion people. The network’s first pan regional event of this kind will air on MTV’s global network and select broadcasters such as Mexico’s Televisa (Canal 5). The announcement was made today by Antoinette Zel, President, MTV Networks Latin America.

In addition, it was announced that the legendary Carlos Santana will perform a song from his upcoming album with pop sensation Michelle Branch.

Previously announced performers include Shakira, System of a Down and Latin rock superstars Mana. Also announced were the show’s hosts Argentine TV and radio personality Mario Pergolini and Mexican actor Diego Luna.

The star-studded event will take place on Thursday, October 24, 2002 at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach and air live on MTV Latin America and MTV2 in the U.S. As a prelude to its airing, MTV2 will also air a “Latin Music Weekend” (10/19-20) in the U.S, featuring such specials as “MTV Latin America Top 20,” “Latin Rock A to Z,” “Artists To Watch: Latin America,” “They Came From: Latin America,” “Best of MTV Latin America Unplugged’s,” and the “VMALA Nomination Special.”

Following its premiere, the MTV VMALAs will broadcast on MTV’s around the world and on select terrestrial outlets in Latin America. The MTV airings will include MTV U.S. on Friday, November, 1 at 8PM/ET, MTV’s 10 channels in Europe and 8 channels in Asia, MTV Brazil and MTV Russia (air dates TBA). Terrestrial outlets carrying the event include Televisa’s Canal 5 in Mexico among others.

The live broadcast on MTV Latin America will air at 8PM (Mexico), 10PM (Argentina), 9PM (Chile). The Awards will honor artists from Latin America and around the world — winners will be chosen exclusively online by music fans at http://www.mtvla.com.

“The potential viewing audience for the VMALAs makes it an unprecedented programming event for MTV Latin America,” said Zel. “This show validates our commitment to nurturing the dynamic and diverse Latin music scene that is exploding throughout the region and abroad; and MTV is the only brand that can bring great music across borders with such a powerful reach. We are so thrilled to be able to utilize our global network to show this talent off and expose MTV viewers from around the globe to the world class music that young Latin Americans are creating and listening to.”

“More and more, Latin pop and rock is being embraced by U.S. music fans with artists such as Shakira, Mana, Juanes, La Ley and Paulina Rubio touring and selling albums in a big way,” commented Van Toffler, President MTV/MTV2.

“This show reflects the diversity of our audience and their musical tastes and is a great way for us to expose our viewers to the Latin American music scene that’s so hot right now.”

Bill Roedy, President MTV Networks International, commented, “MTV is about connecting with young viewers and celebrating music and youth culture, around the world. As the largest global network, we have the unique ability to air our regional Awards shows such as the ‘Video Music Awards Latin America’ on our 38 local channels, exposing young people to new music and artists while fostering cultural exchange.”

In addition, the show also will be seen through terrestrial outlets in Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama, Ecuador and Nicaragua.

“Making this show available to select broadcast outlets is an excellent way for us to reach a wider audience that doesn’t subscribe to Pay-TV,” said Pierluigi Gazzolo, Distribution Vice President, MTV Networks Latin America. “The VMALA transmission will definitely strengthen the MTV brand among current and potential viewers.”