ABC to revive annual Billboard Music Awards in May

[February 18, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Billboard is reviving its annual music awards show with the first broadcast scheduled for May 22.

The music trade publication ran its own awards show from 1989 to 2006. Billboard is now under new ownership, and the top executive of Prometheus Global Media said Thursday he wants to make more music programming for television.

The Billboard Music Awards, telecast live from Las Vegas on ABC, will honor artists with the most sales in various musical genres. That contrasts with the just-concluded Grammy Awards, a more subjective honor based on the votes of industry professionals.

The Grammys have proven popular with viewers the past couple of years. Billboard says its plans have been in the works for more than a year.

[Associated Press]

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