In 1994, a decade after the birth of the VMAs, MTV Networks Europe established the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) to recognize and celebrate the biggest and most popular artists and songs in Europe. The EMAs have more credibility than their American counterparts the MTV VMAs, simply because the fate of any song or artist nominated for a particular award is left in the hands of the viewers. The very first EMA was hosted by none other than the fabulous Sir Tom Jones on 12th of November, 1994 next to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. The EMAs are broadcast live on MTV Europe, MTV and all MTV channels worldwide. Viewers also have the option of watching the show online as well.
The event has been hosted in Germany a total of four times and thrice in the United Kingdom. Recently the EMAs have received a lot of flak for promoting more American artists than European artists. A peek into the history of winners at the EMAs reveals this very peculiar trend, from the host to the winners; Americans have always dominated the awards. Eminem holds the top spot with 9 awards, followed close by Britney Spears with 7 awards. Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Dima Bilan, Muse, The Prodigy, and Linkin Park have 5 to their name. Other winners with 3 or more awards include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Backstreet Boys, Madonna, Robbie Williams, Coldplay, Tokio Hotel, Limp Bizkit, Spice Girls, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Gorillaz, Oasis, Green Day, Outkast, and U2.