Article Summary #2

Effort to Increase Viewership of Grammy Awards by Adding More Live Performances

Ben Sisario, “Grammys’ Weight Is Now Measured in Face Time,” New York Times, January 28, 2010

The 52nd Grammy Awards are scheduled for Sunday. They will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Since the mid-1980s, the Grammy’s ratings have continued to drop. As technology has made music more easily obtainable for free, the music industry suffers extreme losses in sales. The Recording Academy is working to increase the Grammy’s viewership by adding more live performances. Last year, there was an 11 percent increase in ratings from 2008 due to a greater number of unique live performances. For example, U2 played a newly released song, “Get on Your Boots” and pregnant rapper, MIA performed with other rappers.

The Grammy Awards will continue to increase the number of live performances this year. Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli will sing Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Viewers can download this song on iTunes to benefit Haiti relief efforts. Other artists set to performer include Elton John, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift is nominated for eight awards, including album, song and record of the year. Her album “Fearless” has sold 5.4 million copies since its release in November 2008. Swift will be competing against Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Black Eyed Peas for Grammy awards.

There will also be a 3-D tribute to Michael Jackson during Sunday’s Grammy Awards. Ken Ehrlich, a Grammy Awards producer who worked directly with Jackson, put together the tribute. Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, and Carrie Underwood will accompany Jackson’s taped voice during the tribute performance. Target stores are distributing free 3-D glasses for viewers.