In 2014, the MOBO Awards will have a new broadcast home, as ITV and the MOBOs today confirm a three-year partnership is in place for broadcast coverage of the ceremony on the UK's biggest digital channel, ITV2, and a highlights show on ITV’s main channel.

The annual ceremony, which will this year take place on October 22nd, celebrates the best and brightest new talent in the UK’s thriving urban music scene, alongside more established UK and international names.

The MOBOs have been a catalyst in the careers of numerous UK artists, including Craig David, Ms Dynamite, Estelle, N-Dubz, Amy Winehouse, Emeli Sandé and Rita Ora – who all went on to achieve great success after having been given a first platform by MOBO or having won the Best Newcomer Award.

The annual MOBO Awards celebrates and showcases the best in British and international urban music talent. The first annual MOBO Awards ceremony in 1996 was organised in just six weeks and held at the New Connaught Rooms in London to great acclaim.

The MOBO brand has since gone from strength to strength, gaining worldwide recognition, and establishing itself as an important part of the music industry calendar having featured the likes of Tina Turner, Sade, Jay-Z, Rihanna, 50 Cent and Iggy Azalea to name a few.

Kanya King MBE, founder and driving force behind the MOBO movement, commented: "We are very excited that with our new broadcaster, the awards show will be receiving more support and attention than ever before. The new contract with ITV will help us celebrate the next generation of top talent, as the MOBOs continue to pioneer talent within urban music in the UK."

ITV Entertainment Commissioning Editor, Asif Zubairy said, "In ITV Entertainment, we are always looking for exciting, defining and brilliant events to bring to our viewers, so we are delighted to be confirming that ITV2 will be the official broadcast home of the MOBO Awards for the next three years."

ENDS

ITV PRESS OFFICE

Zoe McIntyre    [email protected]         0207 157 3010

Jenny Cummins   [email protected]    0207 157 3017