The awards began in 1977 under the auspices of the BPI, the British record industry's trade association. The last BPI Awards show took place at the Albert Hall and was the first of the ceremonies to be broadcast on television, by the BBC - the awards later transferred to ITV in 1993. In 1989 they were renamed the Britannia Awards, or BRIT Awards. MasterCard is the long-time sponsor of this annual event.
BRIT is also an acronym for the British Record Industry Trust Show - the Trust supports youngsters in the arts and education mainly at The BRIT School in London.
The BRIT Awards used to be broadcast live until 1989, when Samantha Fox and Mick Fleetwood hosted a shambolic show in which just about everything went wrong. After this the show was recorded, and broadcast the following night, part of a revamp by Jonathan King for 1990 whose actions also included naming them the BRITs, hosting the show in 1987 - the most successful previous show - and releasing a megamix of British dance acts including S'Express and A Guy Called Gerald called BRITs 1990. He also managed to get Margaret Thatcher to croon "(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?"
As of the 2007 BRIT Awards, the show was once again broadcast live on British television, airing on 14 February 2007 live on ITV. Comedian Russell Brand presented the event. Three awards were dropped from the 2007 ceremony - Best British Rock Act, Best British Urban Act and Best Pop Act.<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference"></sup>
In addition, an equivalent awards ceremony for classical music, called the Classical BRIT Awards, is held each May.
The annual music industry bash will once again be held at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London on February 18, and will be televised live on ITV. The Outstanding Contribution to Music Award will be presented to the Pet Shop Boys. The 2009 hosts will be Matthew Horne and James Corden along with Kylie Minogue.
Duffy - Mercy
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Coldplay - Viva la Vida
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Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah
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Estelle feat. Kanye West - American Boy
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Leona Lewis - Better in Time
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Adele - Chasing Pavements
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Girls Aloud - The Promise
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X-Factor Finalists - Heroes
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Dizze Rascal - Dance Wiv Me
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Scouting For Girls - Heartbeat
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Linear Mode
