MTV TO HAVE ONE NIGHT STAND WITH CHELSEA HANDLER AS NETWORK TAPS COMEDIENNE TO HOST THE "2010 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS"

The 27 th Annual Awards Show Airs Live From Nokia Theater L.A. Live In Los Angeles On Sunday, September 12 at 9:00PM (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT)

New York, NY (August 19, 2010) - MTV brings the cutting-edge comedy of Chelsea Handler to the most important evening in music and pop culture as she hosts the "2010 MTV Video Music Awards." Keeping fans Twitter ready, late-show host and author, Handler will deliver her comedic edge, pop culture wit and hilarious social commentary to this year's show. As previously announced, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Drake, B.o.B and Florence + The Machine. Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj, Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Trey Songz, Ashley Greene, Selena Gomez and Ne-Yo are confirmed to present. The "2010 MTV Video Music Awards" will air live from Nokia Theater L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape delayed PT.) MTV will announce additional performers and presenters on a later date.

"This has been a huge year for hip-hop and rap, and it is well-known that I have the closest ties with these communities - musically and sexually," said Chelsea Handler. "I am to rap and hippity-hop, what Warren Buffet is to finance, minus the sex."

Chelsea Handler has become one of entertainment's most sought after and versatile rising stars. In July 2007, Chelsea broke into the world of late-night talk shows with her show, "Chelsea Lately." Her hit show offers a tongue-in-cheek look at entertainment news, celebrity truths and rumors that just won't die, along with other hot topics of the day. Bringing refreshing new energy to and redefining perceptions of the talk show. In addition to her wildly successful television series, Chelsea is equally well-known as a best-selling author. Her first book, entitled My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands was released in the U.S. and over twenty other countries to become a bestseller for several weeks running. Her follow-up book, entitled Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list as did her third book entitled Chelsea Chelsea, Bang Bang. All three books remain on the top ten New York Times best sellers list today (hardcover and paperback).

Viewers can vote for general VMA categories, including "Best New Artist," by visiting vma.mtv.com beginning Tuesday, August 3. In addition, text voting for "Best New Artist" is open to all wireless carrier subscribers by texting BNA to 97979. Voting continues through the show, live on September 12. Also, Verizon Wireless subscribers can vote in all categories by texting VMA to 97979 (standard message rates apply.)

Jesse Ignjatovic/Den of Thieves is the Executive Producer for the "2010 MTV Video Music Awards." Dave Sirulnick is Executive Producer. Garrett English is co-Executive Producer/Executive in Charge of Production. Amy Doyle is co-Executive Producer. Joanna Bomberg is Executive in Charge of Music and Talent. Jen Jones is co- Executive Producer. Hamish Hamilton is Director. Wendy Plaut is Celebrity Talent Executive.

Official sponsors of the "2010 MTV Video Music Awards" are 5(R) REACT� Gum, freecreditscore.com�, Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid, Rhapsody(R), Samsung Fascinate a Galaxy S phone, Taco Bell(R) and Verizon Wireless.

The "2010 MTV Video Music Awards" will be available to a potential viewing audience of more than 1.2 billion people via MTV's global network of 63 channels reaching 605 million households around the world as well as through syndication. In addition, its convergent programming & content will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV's more than 200 digital media properties around the world.

About MTV:

MTV is the dynamic, vibrant experiment at the intersection of music, creativity and youth culture. For over 28 years, MTV has evolved, challenged the norm, and detonated boundaries -- giving each new generation a creative outlet and voice that entertains, informs and unites on every platform and screen. On-air, MTV is the number one full day-ad supported network for P12-24. Online, MTV.com averaged 24.5 million monthly unique visitors during the second quarter of 2010 -- up +13% year-over-year. Average video streams for the second quarter of 2010 increased +8% from Q1/2010. And MTV's successful sibling networks MTV2 and mtvU each deliver unprecedented customized content, super-serving young males, music fans, and college students like no one else. MTV is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.