The BRIT Awards will move to the later date of May 11 at The O2 in 2021, Music Week can reveal.
Organisers took the decision to shift the date following consultation with the music industry and show partners Mastercard, ITV and AEG.
The 41st annual awards show was due to take place in its traditional February slot at The O2. But the ongoing coronavirus pandemic prompted the BPI to push that back by almost three months.
The change of date means that the awards eligibility period will be amended in 2021. Further announcements will follow on the eligible release period for artists.
Although ratings dipped this year, the ceremony featuring Lizzo, Dave, Lewis Capaldi, Billie Eilish and Harry Styles was well received.
The BRITs has yet to confirm a showrunner for 2021. Universal Music UK chairman and CEO David Joseph stepped down as chairman after this year’s revamped awards ceremony.
We are already at work planning a spectacular event that will remind us how important music has been in getting us all through these difficult times
Geoff Taylor
In a statement, BRIT Awards organisers said: “Along with the many safety and logistical considerations of staging a huge awards ceremony in February for those putting the event on as well as the guests, The BRITs believe that this move will give a fairer opportunity to all artists as well as ensuring a mix of huge domestic and global superstars that annually attend and perform at the show.”
Speaking about the decision to move the date, BPI and BRIT Awards chief executive Geoff Taylor said: “We want to make sure that The BRITs delivers the outstanding production levels, superstar performances and live excitement that make it the biggest night in music. We believe that the best way to achieve this in 2021 is to move the show back a few months to May, and we are already at work planning a spectacular event that will remind us how important music has been in getting us all through these difficult times. I would like to thank our labels, ITV, AEG and Mastercard and all our partners for their fantastic support.”
The BRIT Awards with Mastercard 2021 will be broadcast live on ITV on May 11.
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