Reggae Television (RETV) will host award show

Reggae Television (RETV) will stage its RETV MVP (My Video Pick) Awards, the first show in the Caribbean to solely recognise the year's top music videos.

"Since almost 60 per cent of our programming is music videos, we thought it would be a great opportunity to be the first entertainment channel in the Caribbean to do this," said Naomi Garrick, marketing and sales manager at RETV.

The event will be aired live on the station with nominees in 11 categories. The show will also feature live performances, similar to established shows in the United States like the MTV Music Video Awards and the BET Awards.

Best Gospel Video, Best Director, Best Dancer in a Video, Best Music Video (male and female) are some of the categories. An MVP Icon Award will also be given to an artiste who has made a vast contribution to the Jamaican music industry.

The viewer plays a major role in determining winners, voting by email to mvp@reggaetelevision.com. Voting closes on Thursday with a panel of judges having the final decision.

Garrick said response from viewers has been good so far.

"It's actually been overwhelming. In our first week we had over 500 votes," she said.

Next year, RETV plans to incorporate text voting.

RETV, which is owned by the RJR Group of Companies, is one of several cable channels to pop up locally in the past 10 years. Garrick said like MTV and BET, an awards show will help promote the RETV brand.

"Most of the kids, they tune in to see the music videos, to dance and see who is hot in the industry. So, it gives better exposure for artistes," she said.

RETV also broadcasts to 11 Caribbean countries.


Source:Jamaica Gleaner