MTV'S ICONIC "UNPLUGGED" FRANCHISE RETURNS THIS FALL

Multi-Platinum Singer/Songwriter Shawn Mendes Kicks Off New Season From the Theater at ACE Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles

"MTV Unplugged Shawn Mendes" Premieres Friday, September 8th at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK, NY - August 17, 2017 - MTV today announced that its groundbreaking Grammy(R) and Emmy(R) award-winning "MTV Unplugged" franchise will return this fall for a whole new generation of music enthusiasts and longtime fans of the series. The new season will feature an eclectic, superstar lineup of global pop culture artists and will kick off with multi-platinum, award-winning singer/songwriter and "2017 Video Music Awards" nominee and performer, Shawn Mendes. The trailblazing music series returns with a fresh reinvention that will feature performances from locations across the country that hold special meaning to each artist. "MTV Unplugged Shawn Mendes" premieres Friday, September 8th at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.

"MTV revolutionized the performance storytelling space when it launched 'MTV Unplugged' almost 30 years ago," said Amani Duncan, Senior Vice President of Music, MTV. "The 'Unplugged' Series allows artists to reimagine their songs in an intimate and acoustic medium, giving their fans a new perspective on their favorite hits. We're thrilled to have multi-platinum singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes launch this new season."

"I'm so thrilled and honored to be able to help bring the 'Unplugged' series back," said Shawn Mendes. "It's a show that truly highlights artistry and brings unique performances to fans that they can't see anywhere else."

Shawn Mendes scored his second #1 debut on the Billboard 200 chart with the release of his sophomore album Illuminate, which hit #1 on iTunes in over 65 countries. The album was recorded with Grammy-nominated producer Jake Gosling (Ed Sheeran's "+" and "x" albums), and its lead single "Treat You Better" peaked at #1 on iTunes in 44 countries and soared to Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Current single "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" is approaching 2x Platinum and has scored Shawn his second #1 single at Top 40 radio and on Billboard's Pop Songs chart, joining 6x Platinum single "Stitches" from Shawn's Platinum debut album Handwritten.

Throughout his career, Shawn has achieved 2 #1 album debuts, 2 Platinum albums, and 7 consecutive Platinum and multi-Platinum singles, including Illuminate's smash hits "Treat You Better," "Mercy," and "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back." Shawn is currently on his Illuminate World Tour, his first-ever headlining arena tour, with dates at LA's Staples Center and Brooklyn's Barclays Center. Shawn has been named one of Time Magazine's "Most Influential Teens" of 2014, 2015 and 2016, as well as one of Forbes' "30 Under 30" in 2016, and he won "Favorite New Artist" at the 2016 People's Choice Awards. Shawn also won awards in the categories of "Best Male" and "Best Worldwide Act" at the 2016 MTV EMAs, and has been nominated in the category of "Best Pop" at the 2017 VMAs.

Since its debut in 1989, "MTV Unplugged" has been a cultural watershed of musical moments, featuring unforgettable performances from artists including Nirvana, Jay-Z, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Miley Cyrus, Tony Bennett, Mariah Carey, Katy Perry, Lil Wayne, Adele and Florence + The Machine.

"MTV Unplugged Shawn Mendes" is sponsored by Wendy's.

"MTV Unplugged Shawn Mendes" will be produced by Den of Thieves with Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager serving as Executive Producers. Chris Choun, Lee Lodge and Jen Jones will also Executive Produce.

"MTV Unplugged" series is Executive Produced by Garrett English with Vanessa Whitewolf as Producer. Amani Duncan serves as Executive in Charge of Music with Melanie Block as Executive in Charge of Production for MTV. "MTV Unplugged" was created by Robert Small and Jim Burns.

About MTV:

MTV is a global youth culture brand inspired by music. MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA)

About Den of Thieves:

Den of Thieves has emerged as a force for ambitious music-driven event shows and uniquely stylized television series. Using their extensive experience working with talent, their credits cover a vast array of formats that include ABC's "The Gong Show," MTV's "Greatest Party Story Ever," FOX's "American Idol," VH1's "The T.O. Show," as well as an upcoming feature documentary centered around The Chainsmokers' first major tour. Beyond that, Den of Thieves thrives in the live event & award show space, having produced the "MTV Video Music Awards" for 11 consecutive years, "MTV Movie Awards," "iHeart Radio Music Awards," "Radio Disney Music Awards," "Peabody Awards" and more.