Budiey
The annual fever for the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2014 (VMAJ 2014) kicked off early yesterday afternoon with a live talk pre-show at Maihama Amphitheater in Chiba, which was live streamed online to a global audience* for the first time at http://VMAJ.JP. There was clearly an early buzz as the pre-show gathered a viewership yesterday that was over 5 times of VMAJ’s digital media partner, GyaO’s average live streaming reach.
[pullquote]The same live talk pre-show will be available* with English voice-over from today, 13 June at 5.00pm (HK/MAL/PH/SIN)/ 6.00pm (Tokyo time).[/pullquote]
MTV VMAJ 2014 co-hosts powerhouse J-pop artists Sayumi Michishige (MORNING MUSUME ’14), T.M.Revolution and w-inds., appeared on the live talk pre-show just before their rehearsal at the amphitheater on Thursday, 12 June at 4.00pm (Tokyo). The live talk pre-show, hosted by MTV VJ Ken Ayugai, started on a fun note with T.M.Revolution generating good vibes amongst his co-hosts throughout the hour-long affair with his humor and quick wit, confirming the strong chemistry between the co-hosts for the much anticipated show.
T.M.Revolution expressed his excitement at the awards being streamed live (on Jun. 14 at 6:00pm JST) to an international audience*, “I’d like to show the world Japan’s originality,” After looking at the performance schedule for the event, he added: “Berryz KOBO and Coldplay next to each other on the lineup! Only in Japan, it’s magic!”
Michishige and w-inds. both added their thoughts to the mix. “I’d like to push kawaii culture to an international audience,” said Michishige. w-inds., the only act out of the co-hosts that have taken the stage at the VMAJs in the past, continued, “Music transcends borders and language barriers.” The live talk pre-show featured past VMAJs’ highlights, including a previous performance by w-inds who performed at VMAJ 2010.
MTV Video Music Awards Japan (VMAJ) debuted in 2002 as one of the biggest music award shows in Japan, showcasing the best of both international and local artists and celebrities. Paying tribute to the world of music video, MTV VMAJ winners are decided by the viewers and music fans who can vote for either Japanese or international artists nominated in the same category. This year, global megastar Beyoncé and Tokyo pop culture icon Kyary Pamyu Pamyu who won two awards at last year’s VMAJ lead the nominations with three nods each.
A star-studded line-up of performers is expected including international rock band, Coldplay, who is joined by some of Japan’s hottest artists Berryz KOBO, E-girls, GLAY, HATSUNE MIKU, Kaela Kimura, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Daichi Miura. Additionally, funassyi, Chiaki Horan, Hyadain, Kemio, Tetsuya Komuro, Rev. from DVL, Ryo Ryusei, Kavka Shishido and So Takei will also appear as presenters.
MTV VMAJ 2014 will broadcast live on MTV Japan on Saturday, 14 June, 6.00pm (Tokyo time) and MTV Asia will run a same-day telecast of the show on Saturday June 14, 7.00pm (WIB), 8.00pm (SIN/HK) and 9.00pm (MAL). MTV channels in Korea, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand and J-One operated by MTV France will bring the show on-air as well, with potential viewership expected to reach over fifty million households. MTV VMAJ 2014 is also set to telecast globally through MTV World Stage, MTV’s global live-music franchise. Additionally, this year’s VMAJ will be open to the global online community and streamed live* throughout the main show at the show’s official website http://VMAJ.JP.
HOST:
Sayumi Michishige (MORNING MUSUME ’14) / T.M.Revolution / w-inds.
LIVE ACTS:
Berryz KOBO / Coldplay / E-girls / GLAY / HATSUNE MIKU / Kaela Kimura / Kyary Pamyu Pamyu / Daichi Miura
GUEST CELEBRITIES:
funassyi / Chiaki Horan / Hyadain / Kemio / Tetsuya Komuro / Rev. from DVL / Ryo Ryusei / Kavka Shishido / So Takei
SPONSORSHIP:
The special sponsors of MTV VMAJ 2014 are DAIICHIKOSHO CO., LTD., Sunstar Inc. and Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd. The digital media partner of MTV VMAJ 2014 is GyaO Corporation. Additionally, MTV VMAJ 2014 is supported by J-LOP (The Government Subsidy for Localization & Promotion of Japanese Content).
*Subject to availability where local markets have been given live streaming access.
About MTV Japan:
MTV is the world’s premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. TV Japan launched on January 1, 2001 as a 24-hour channel offering a mixture of Japanese and international music content. MTV connects with its audiences through multi-platforms that include television, online and mobile phones to offer a complete experience of music and youth entertainment and is seen in about seven million cable and satellite households. Outside of the United States, MTV is part of Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.
About Viacom International Media Networks:
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, non-premium Paramount Pictures branded channels, VH1, VIVA, MTVHD, COLORS, Game One and Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más, a channel for US Hispanic audiences. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 600 million households in over 160 territories and 34 languages via more than 160 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties.
