The Recording Academy has confirmed in a recent statement that it is moving the 2021 Grammys from January to Sunday, March 14 owing to the surge of coronavirus cases especially in Los Angeles, where the event is set to hold.
“After thoughtful conversations with health experts, our host and artists scheduled to appear, we are rescheduling the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards to be broadcast Sunday, March 14, 2021,” the statement reads.
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“The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show.We want to thank all of the talented artists, the staff, our vendors and especially this year’s nominees for their understanding, patience and willingness to work with us as we navigate these unprecedented times.”
The statement was signed by Harvey Mason jr., Chair & Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy; Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music, Live Events and Alternative Programming, CBS; and Ben Winston, Grammy Awards Executive Producer, Fulwell 73 Productions.
“We want to thank all of the talented artists, the staff, our vendors and especially this year’s nominees for their understanding, patience and willingness to work with us as we navigate these unprecedented times,” they said.
The 2021 Grammys had been scheduled for January 31 on CBS live from Los Angeles’ Staples Center, with Trevor Noah hosting the event. The event will now air on March 14 from 8-11 p.m. ET/5-8 p.m. PT.
The 2021 Grammys’ new date clashes with the previously-announced Screen Actors’ Guild awards, a development that is ‘disappointing’ to the actors union.