The MTV Russia Music Awards (RMA) will be the first event of its kind ,featuring local and international acts and music celebrities being honoured by Russian viewers. Appearances by several prominent international artistes are also expected.

President of MTV Networks International Bill Roedy says, " MTV is about connecting with young audiences and celebrating the diversity of music and youth culture across the globe. With a dozen regional MTV awards shows, we also have the unique ability to share footage from events such as the MTV Russia Music Awards among our 38 local channels reaching a potential audience of one billion people, exposing youth to new music and artists while fostering cultural exchange and appreciation."

During the MTV RMA ceremony, Russian music acts will be honoured in categories such as best male act, best female act, best band, best video, best album, best song and breakthrough of the year. International music acts will also be honoured in categories such as Best Male Act, Best Female Act, Best Band, Best Video and Breakthrough Of The Year. Nominees will be chosen by a special MTV Russia Academy consisting of representatives from record labels and music media, with the eligibility period for submissions being 1 January - 31 December 2002. Nominees will be announced in Moscow at a special press conference. Winners will be chosen by votes from viewers via MTV Russia's Web site, www.mtv.ru , telephone and post.

The MTV Russia Music Awards is sponsored by Wella. MTV has a long history of creating exciting music events with 12 locally produced awards shows annually across the globe. Three of those events debuted last year, including the MTV Video Music Awards Japan, the MTV Asia Awards (Singapore) and the MTV Video Music Awards Latin America (VMALA). The VMALA's subsequently became the highest rated pan-regional cable show ever in Latin America, topping ratings in MTV's key markets such as Mexico, Chile and Argentina.

Launched on 26 September 1998, MTV Russia is a Russian language free-to-air service seen in 22 million households in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Omsk, Voronezh, Novosibirsk and Ekaterinburg, among other cities. Through a multi-year licensing agreement with BIZ Enterprises, MTV Russia became the first western television network customised specifically for Russian youth. In January 2000, MTV Networks International acquired an equity position in MTV Russia.

Targetting 14-34 year olds, the advertiser-supported network features a mixture of music videos from Russian and international artists programmed locally from its Moscow production base. MTV Russia VJs cover the Russian music scene and introduce locally relevant programming that reflects MTV's unpredictable, irreverent style. MTV Russia's Web site, www.mtv.ru , launched in February 2002.