Show airs Sunday, August 30th on MTV

The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) have announced its host, first round of performers and remote broadcast locations following health warnings from New York officials. Entertainment powerhouse Keke Palmer will host the annual awards show that airs Sunday, August 30th at 8pm ET/PT.

“We’re thrilled to have the multi-talented Keke Palmer as this year’s VMAs host,” states Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events for ViacomCBS Media Networks. “Keke is an energetic force and a quadruple threat with unmatched comedic wit who will make this year’s show truly unforgettable.”

First round of performers include BTS, Doja Cat and J Balvin. BTS, who are up for three nominations in the Best Pop, Best K-Pop, Best Choreography categories, are making their debut performance on the show in which they’ll premiere its English-only single “Dynamite,” which will be released on August 21st. Doja Cat is up for three noms for Song of the Year, PUSH Best New Artist, Best Direction, while J Balvin is up for four in the Best Collaboration and three times in Best Latin categories.

Additional performers to be announced soon.

Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga lead this year’s nominations with nine nods each, closely followed by Billie Eilish and The Weeknd with six nominations.

Fans can vote for their favorites across 15 gender-neutral categories, including “Video of the Year,” “Artist of the Year,” “Best Quarantine Performance,” and more by visiting vma.mtv.com through August 23rd. Voting for “PUSH Best New Artist, Presented by Chime Banking,” will remain active into the show on Sunday, August 30th.

The show was set to be held at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, but will now be staged at various locations throughout New York City’s five boroughs. Deadline reports the venue change following health recommendations from local health officials.

“In close consultation with state and local health officials‎, it became clear at this time that outdoor performances with limited or no audience would be more feasible and safer than an indoor event,” MTV shared in a statement. “The VMAs will highlight the boroughs in an exciting show and return to Barclays Center in 2021. MTV will continue to work closely with the Department of Health, state and local officials, the medical community, and key stakeholders to ensure the safety of all involved.”

The performances will be live with few or no audience members, per health guidelines.