After 10 years of having its spectacular show at the
landmark Shrine Auditorium, which is located across the street from the
University of Southern California campus, The Academy of Television Arts and
Sciences has sealed a 10-year deal with Anschutz Entertainment Group to move the
Annual Emmy Awards to the 7,100-seat Nokia Theatre, which is located several
miles north of Emmy’s former home.
As a result, this year’s 60th Annual Emmy Awards will
take place at the recently opened downtown theatre. Nokia Theatre opened last
fall and it is part of AEG’s burgeoning L.A. Live complex.
Organizers expect the 6,500 TV stars, who are supposed to gather for the Emmy
Awards on September 21, to create an even greater party than the one from last
year.
The Annual Emmy Awards ceremony is
arguably the screen’s biggest night. Moreover, John Shaffner, the ATAS
chairman-CEO said in an interview for Hollywood Reporter: “We were looking for
a home where we could have a long-term relationship. It’s in tip-top condition
for the show itself and people who attend the show. This is the right place for
our program to come from.”
In addition, Shaffner stated: “All of the major awards shows
have moved from place to place. The Emmys began in small rooms in Hollywood and outgrew that.”
Furthermore, AEG has been struggling for a long time to get the Emmys. “Having
the Prime-Time Emmy Awards as an ‘anchor tenant’ for L.A. Live has been one of
our highest priorities throughout the development,” said Timothy Leiweke, AEG
president and CEO.
Nokia Theatre hosted many big names. Among them The Eagles,
The Dixie Chicks, Neil Young, Mary J. Blige and also John Myer are only few of
the artists that performed since the six-month-ago grand opening.
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