Press

In a brand new initiative launched by The BPI and Commercial Radio Industry, the first ever BRITs Radio Week launched on Sunday, 10th February 2008, with a specially extended Hit40UK show with Lucio. More than 170 commercial radio stations are taking part in the run up to The BRITs 2008 with MasterCard on 20th February.

This week listeners are narrowing down the shortlist of 10 nominees for the British Single award to decide which five acts will compete for the title LIVE on the show. The final five will be announced exclusively on the Hit40UK chart show on Sunday 17th February with the winner being voted for live during the television broadcast, Wednesday 20th February, ITV1 at 8pm.

Throughout BRITs Radio Week, Commercial Radio stations are featuring special playlists and interviews from BRITs nominated artists, in addition to this all participating stations are offering listeners the chance to attend the record industry’s biggest awards show by giving away tickets. BRITs Radio Week will culminate with a three hour show on the night of the The BRIT Awards 2008 with MasterCard broadcast on the CHR network.

Said Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive of the BPI: “As well as being the leading British music event in the calendar and a spectacular TV show, The BRITs is evolving into an interactive platform for the best in British and international musical talent. Through BRITs Radio we’ve added further profile to the show, brand, and artists by partnering with UK Commercial Radio to reach their audience of millions of listeners. With Hit40UK choosing the shortlist, and the viewers picking the winner live on the night, British Single is one of the most exciting awards of the night.”

The BRITs 2008 With MasterCard hosted by Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne takes place on 20th February 2008 at London’s Earls Court and will be broadcast live from 8pm on ITV1.

Over on ITV2 Lauren Laverne, Matt Willis and Emma Griffiths will be meeting and greeting the stars for The Red Carpet Show at 7pm and finding out all of the backstage gossip on The BRITs Encore show at 10pm both on ITV2.

Notes to editors

The BRITs – Voting Academy

The Academy is made up of more than 1,000 specially invited members from across the breadth of the UK music industry: music critics, music writers, online & student press, major & independent record companies, retailers, music TV and radio producers & presenters, music publishers, artist managers, live concert promoters, NUS representatives and DJs.

Less than a quarter of the academy’s membership is drawn from the recording industry, and despite the popular misconception that “BRIT Bosses” dish out the awards, only 12% of the voting academy are drawn from major record companies.

All academy votes are collected online, and are counted and verified by official scrutinisers ERS (Electoral Reform Services).

BRIT = British Record Industry Trust

The BRIT (British Record Industry Trust) Awards is organised by the BPI – the British recorded music industry association – which has over 400 record company members large and small who between them account for in excess of 90% of UK recorded music sales.

The BRIT Awards 2008 with MasterCard will be the 28th BRIT Awards, which has raised more than £8million for The BRIT Trust charity, whose main beneficiaries are the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology (http://www.brit.croydon.sch.uk), Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy (http://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk) and other selected charities.

Over 7,000 young people have been given free education and the opportunity to enter the BRIT School since its opening in 1991 and more than 10,000 children and adults have been helped by the extraordinary music therapy work carried out by Nordoff-Robbins.

The BRITs 2008 come at a time when the UK music industry is thriving creatively, with last year being a good one for home-grown talent with UK acts accounting for more than half (52%) of all albums sold in the UK – the highest share since 1998.

The BRIT Awards 2008 with MasterCard
Earls Court 1, Wednesday 20 February 2008
Televised LIVE, ITV 1 at 8pm.

Nominations Launch: Monday 14 January 2008 – The Roundhouse, London.