Alessia Cara, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and Nick Jonas Announced as First Performers as THE MMVAs Becomes THE IHEARTRADIO CANADA MUCH MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS

– THE 2016 IHEARTRADIO MMVAs simulcasts on Much, CTV, and for the first time-ever on VRAK, Sunday, June 19 –

– THE IHEARTRADIO MUSIC AWARDS airs this Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and CTV GO –

TORONTO, April 8, 2016 /CNW/ - Much announced today the evolution of Canada's most iconic street level music awards show into THEIHEARTRADIO MUCH MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS. The rename is the next step in the introduction of iHeartRadio into Canada prior to its official launch later this year.

It was also confirmed today that the first group of A-listers descending on Much to rock THE 2016 IHEARTRADIO MMVAs stage are singer-songwriter Alessia Cara - fresh from her 2016 JUNO Award win as "Breakthrough Artist of the Year", hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and, returning after a standout performance on THE 2015 MMVAS, multi-platinum recording artist Nick Jonas. The awards show airs live Sunday, June 19 in a simulcast on Much and CTV and, for the first time ever, on Bell Media's French youth network, VRAK. Follow the conversation online at #MMVAs.

"We are excited to join with the iHeartRadio brand to further elevate the MMVAs internationally," said Randy Lennox, President Entertainment Production and Broadcasting, Bell Media. "We're taking the biggest street party in the world, and making it our most exciting show yet."

"Alessia, Macklemore & Ryan, and Nick are massive stars," said Nanci MacLean, Vice-President, In-House Production, Bell Media. "They are only the first names in what is going to be an epic lineup of artists headlining this iconic awards show."

In January 2016, Bell Media and iHeartMedia announced an exclusive new partnership that brings the iHeartRadio brand to Canada. Viewers can get a first taste of iHeartRadio this weekend with THE IHEARTRADIO MUSIC AWARDS airing this Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and CTV GO. Hosted this year by platinum recording artist Jason Derulo, THE IHEART RADIO MUSIC AWARDS celebrates the most popular music heard throughout the year from The Forum in Los Angeles.

Launching this fall, the iHeartRadio digital service in Canada will showcase content from Bell Media, Canada's largest radio broadcaster with 106 licensed radio stations in 54 markets across the country. Upon launch, iHeartRadio in Canada will provide instant access to the live radio feature offering listeners throughout Canada all of Bell Media's broadcast and digital-only radio stations across mobile, auto dashes, tablets and smartphones, gaming consoles, wearables, and more.

Additional talent announcements will be released in the coming weeks.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
@Much
@alessiacara
@macklemore
@RyanLewis
@nickjonas

About THE IHEARTRADIO MUCH MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS:
Much gives fans the experience of a lifetime by putting them as close as humanly possible to their favourite artists and celebrities at THE 2016 IHEARTRADIO MMVAs. The show airs live on Sunday, June 19 on Much and CTV, and on VRAK in Québec. Past MMVA performers and presenters include: Adam Lambert, Ariana Grande, Avril Lavigne, The Black Eyed Peas, The Black Keys, Britney Spears, Bruno Mars, Carly Rae Jepsen, Colin Farrell, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Gigi Hadid, Hedley, Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, LMFAO, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Snoop Dogg, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, and many more. At THE IHEARTRADIO MMVAs, the audience is the priority; Much gives them the best seats in the house, whether a foot from the stage or a foot from a television, computer, or mobile phone. Fans should hit up Much regularly at Much.com or Twitter @Much for the most up-to-date info about the event of the year.

SOURCE Much

Amanda Rinaldo, 416.384.5325 or [email protected]; Sara McLaren, 416.384.6104 or [email protected]