YouTube brings BRIT Awards to Australian music fans

YouTube Music has partnered with the February 20 BRIT awards to livestream it in Australia, as part of a global transmission.

For the first time, YouTube has become its official music app, and the London 02 Arena event is accessed at youtube.com/BRITs on mobile, tablet or TV.

Coverage includes red carpet, the ceremony and the after-party with hosts Todrick Hall and Yasmin Evans.

Nominated names like George Ezra, Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa, The 1975, Little Mix and Jorja Smith are set to perform, with Australia’s Hugh Jackman to open the show.

P!nk will get a special achievement award, and apparently chosen for the honour because of her worldwide success.

BRITs chief executive Geoff Taylor said, “The BRIT Awards is the most spectacular night in music, showcasing the exceptional talent of a diverse range of British artists at home and around the world.

“We have seen tremendous growth in the digital and social reach of the BRITs, and partnering with YouTube once again for our live stream of the show enables us to introduce British music to a global audience that is growing all the time.”

YouTube’s involvement in the global access to the BRITs is due to the fact that fewer than half the biggest music videos on YouTube in 2018 were sung in English.

Last year’s global livestream reached 1.5 million, it has 3.5 million social channel followers, and it is the highest rating event on ITV (which screens it in Britain) for the16—35 age group.