After much speculation, Ten has announced it will screen the ARIA Awards this year. The network will take the reins back from Channel Nine, who broadcast the ceremony in 2009.
“The ARIA Awards is the flagship event of the Australian music calendar – a celebration of all that is great and popular in local music,” said ARIA head and Warner CEO Ed St. John. “The Ten Network has been our loyal partner for many of our last 24 years and it’s an absolute thrill to be renewing our relationship once again.”
Ten has screened most of the recent ARIA Awards ceremonies, and I’m glad to see them doing it again. Honestly, watching last year’s stiff hosts Kate Richie and Gyton Grantley made me cringe. Hopefully we’ll see some more music-savvy personalities taking on the role this year. I’d love to see Wil Anderson get the job, although after his Logies Twittering he might prove a little too risky. At any rate, I’m sure the organizers are happy to hear their awards won’t compete with Masterchef!