MTV TO PROCLAIM U2 AS "GLOBAL ICON" AT THE 2017 MTV EMAs

THE BIGGEST BAND IN THE WORLD U2 IS SET TO TAKE THE STAGE IN LONDON'S TRAFALGAR SQUARE THIS SATURDAY NIGHT FOR EMA PERFORMANCE

NEW YORK, NY (November 6, 2017) - MTV is set to honor stellar rock band U2 with the Global Icon award at the 2017 MTV EMAs, one of the biggest global music events of the year that celebrates the hottest artists from around the world. The multi-platinum, 22-time Grammy Award-winning recording artists will receive the Global Icon Award at the 2017 MTV EMAs. The band will mark the occasion with a live EMAs performance in London's landmark Trafalgar Square in the heart of the city on Saturday evening for MTV Presents Trafalgar Square. Part of their performance will be broadcast during the live show from The SSE Arena, Wembley in London on Sunday, November 12 airing at 3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT in the U.S.

"U2's impact on music, pop culture and social issues around the world has been tremendous," said Bruce Gillmer, Head of Music and Music Talent, Global Entertainment Group, Viacom. "For over four decades and counting, they've entertained, influenced, and inspired fans around the globe and we're thrilled and honored to announce that they are this year's Global Icon. Their EMAs performance for Londoners in historic Trafalgar Square is just the beginning of the electrifying celebration of music where artists from every corner of the world will unite in this extraordinary city!"

From the beginning, U2 were marked out by their drive and ambition, forming as a band "... before they could play". Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton met at Mount Temple School, Dublin and formed U2 in 1978. Acknowledged as one of the best live acts in the world, U2 have released 13 studio albums and have sales in excess of 157 million. They have won numerous awards; including 22 Grammys (the record for most wins by a rock act), two Golden Globes, an Oscar nomination and the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience. And in 2005, U2 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Songs of Experience, the band's hotly anticipated 14th studio album - featuring tracks 'You're The Best Thing About Me' and 'Get Out Of Your Own Way' - will arrive on 1st December on Island Records.

Former recipients of the Global Icon Award include Ozzy Osbourne, Eminem, Whitney Houston, Queen and Bon Jovi.

The 2017 MTV EMAs, one of the biggest global music events of the year that celebrates the hottest artists from around the world, will broadcast to MTV channels worldwide from The SSE Arena, Wembley in London on Sunday, November 12 with host, global pop super star Rita Ora.

Full list of the 2017 MTV EMA nominees can be found here -- voting is open until November 11 at 5:59 ET.

The official sponsors of the 2017 MTV EMAs U.S. broadcast include Always(R), HP, Inc and Neutrogena(R).

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About the 2017 MTV EMAS

The 2017 MTV EMAs U.S. broadcast, in partnership with Always(R), HP, Inc and Neutrogena(R), will air live on Sunday, November 12th from the SSE Arena, Wembley in London, England in partnership with #LondonIsOpen. One of the biggest global music events of the year that celebrates the hottest artists from around the world, the MTV EMAs bring music fans a unique, multi-platform experience across MTV's global network of more than 60 channels and over 300 digital media properties and platforms. Follow @MTVEMA on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat (@MTVEMA) and Instagram, and join the conversation with #MTVEMA. Bruce Gillmer and Richard Godfrey are Executive Producers for the 2017 MTV EMAs. Debbie Phillips and Chloe Mason are Producers. Hamish Hamilton is Director. For MTV EMA news, updates and press materials please visit press.mtvema.com.

About #LondonIsOpen

#LondonIsOpen is a major campaign - launched by the Mayor, Sadiq Khan - to show that London is united and open for business, and to the world, following the EU referendum. It shows the world that London remains entrepreneurial, international and full of creativity and possibility. It reassures the more than one million foreign nationals who live in London that they will always be welcome, and that any form of discrimination will not be tolerated.