ONE DIRECTION TO HOST "MY FIRST TIME" VMA SPECIAL ON MTV THURSDAY, AUGUST 30 AT 11:00 PM ET/PT AS A LEAD-UP TO THEIR DEBUT PERFORMANCE AT THE "2012 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS"

SANTA MONICA, CA (August 23, 2012) -- There's nothing like your first - your first kiss, your first car or your first performance at the "2012 MTV Video Music Awards," which is exactly what international superstars One Direction will be celebrating next month as they get set to take the stage at this year's show. As a lead up to the big night, the guys from the band will host "One Direction: My First Time," a half-hour special dedicated to reliving the most memorable VMA performances of all time on Thursday, August 30 at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. To watch the band's promo, click here. Hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, the "2012 MTV Video Music Awards" airs LIVE from STAPLES Center on Thursday, September 6 from 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Performers announced so far include Alicia Keys, P!nk, Green Day, Taylor Swift and One Direction.

During the special, Harry, Liam, Zayn, Louis and Niall from One Direction will share their thoughts on past VMA performances as well as the memories they have of watching these artists on TV years before they became One Direction. The guys will also provide some insight on the excitement and anticipation they're feeling about making their first appearance at the "2012 MTV Video Music Awards." In addition, the special will feature segments with artists including P!nk, Green Day and Taylor Swift who will take a trip down memory lane by watching their first VMA performance, providing a unique commentary for viewers on what it was like making their debut, sharing never-before-heard info about that night and offering veteran advice to One Direction.

The five U.K. lads of One Direction - Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson - met as solo artists on "The X Factor 2010." After quickly becoming a sensation in their native land, they invaded the U.S. in late 2011. The group's debut album, Up All Night, entered the U.S. Billboard 200 chart at No. 1, making music history as the first U.K. group to enter the charts at No. 1 with a debut album in the U.S. Up All Night is currently the top selling debut album of 2012.

Viewers can vote for general VMA categories, including "Video of the Year," "Best New Artist," and more by visiting vma.mtv.com online or m.mtv.com on their mobile phone. In addition, "Best New Artist" is available for voting via all wireless carrier subscribers by texting BNA to 22444 or by visiting MTV's official Facebook page. Voting for all VMA categories, except "Best New Artist," will end on August 24 at 6:00 p.m. ET. Voting for "Best New Artist" continues through the show, live on September 6. Verizon subscribers can vote on all categories via SMS by texting VMA to 22444 (standard message rates apply.) In addition voters that text VMA to 22444 are automatically entered into a sweepstakes to win a trip to the "2013 Video Music Awards."

Since the first MTV "Video Music Awards" aired in 1984, the VMAs instantly earned its reputation for delivering the most popular bands and artists to create the loudest, most influential and at times, the most controversial, annual live celebration of music in the world. No other award show has been responsible for creating more memorable or bigger musical moments in pop culture history than the MTV "Video Music Awards." From Madonna, Michael Jackson, Guns N' Roses, Eminem and Nirvana to Britney Spears, Kanye West, Beyoncé, Florence and the Machine and Taylor Swift, an appearance on the VMA stage can forever change the trajectory of an artist's career in a single night.

The "2012 MTV Video Music Awards" will air across MTV's global network of more than 60 channels reaching more than 600 million households around the world as well as through syndication. In addition, its convergent programming and content will reach the entire interactive community, via MTV's more than 200 digital media properties around the world. Ratings for the 2011 VMAs were up +30% YOY internationally, and the show was one of MTV's top performers in key markets across Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia.

"One Direction: My First Time" is executive produced by Tony DiBari, Karen Frank and Brian Saracusa for MTV.

Jesse Ignjatovic/Den of Thieves is the Executive Producer for the "2012 MTV Video Music Awards." Amy Doyle, Garrett English and Dave Sirulnick are Executive Producers. Joanna Bomberg, Jen Jones and Lee Lodge are Co-Executive Producers. Hamish Hamilton is Director. Wendy Plaut is Celebrity Talent Executive.

Official Sponsors of the "2012 MTV Video Music Awards" are 5 Gum(TM), adidas Originals, Bing, COVERGIRL, Kia Motors America, Orbit Gum(TM), Pepsi(R), Samsung Galaxy S(R) III, State Farm(R), Taco Bell(R), Trojan(R) Charged(TM) Condoms and Verizon Wireless.

About MTV:

MTV is the world's premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its Emmy(R), Grammy(R) and Peabody(R) award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile. MTV's sibling networks MTV2 and mtvU each deliver unparalleled customized content for young males, music fans and college students, and its online hub MTV.com is a leading destination for music, news and pop culture. MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.