Grammys turn nominations into hourlong TV special

[October 17, 2008]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Grammys are turning a dry nominations announcement into an hourlong TV special.

"The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! -- Countdown to Music's Biggest Night" will air Dec. 3, CBS announced Thursday. The Grammy Awards are scheduled for Feb. 8 on the network.

The show is a departure for the Grammys and other major awards. Top Academy Award and Emmy nominations, for instance, are announced in brief ceremonies that air as news stories -- not as commercially supported programs.

The Grammy special will include nominations for at least six categories and feature performances by past winners at the Nokia Theatre, CBS said. It also will mark the opening of the Grammy Museum in the adjacent L.A. Live complex.

Presenters and performers will be announced later, CBS said.

Award shows in general have been struggling to attract audiences. This year's Grammy Awards drew 17.2 million viewers, making it one of the least-watched Grammys, while the Emmy ceremony in September had its smallest audience yet with 12.34 million viewers.

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[Associated Press]

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