Labels pick up artist tabs for VMAs
Lili2
SEVERAL record labels are angry at MTV for making the companies pay to get
their artists on the annual Video Music Awards show. "Sony had to pick up the
entire tab for Jennifer Lopez, which was close to $250,000, while Jive paid up
to $1 million for Britney Spears and *NSYNC to perform," according to our
source. The show Thursday night at the Metropolitan Opera House was packed and
attracted advertisers, but the labels are wondering what the payoff is. "The
labels picked up all the expenses and got nothing - but what choice do they
have?" our source said. "Sony and Zomba [which owns Jive] are thinking of
calling a meeting next week and telling MTV they will no longer pick up the
tab." A representative for Sony had no comment. A rep for MTV said, "MTV paid
for the VMA's in full, including all rehearsals and staging for every
performance. To the extent that artists choose to do anything above and beyond,
it's their choice."