The CEO of Metro TV, Mr. Talal Fattal is in Lisbon, Portugal as a special guest of MTV Europe Awards which is set to be telecast tonight to an estimated available audience of over one billion people.

Metro TV is the first free-to-air network to rebroadcast MTV Base in Ghana, a deal that was recently signed and inaugurated in Accra.

Also in Lisbon for the big show is Mr. Alex Okosi, General Manager and Vice President, MTV Networks Africa.

Mr. Fattal told Showbiz last Tuesday before his departure that he is delighted to have his company invited to participate in this prestigious event.

“I hope this is the beginning of fruitful co-operation that will follow the deal that Metro TV signed with MTV last month”, he said.

For the first time in the 12-year history of MTV Europe Awards, a category devoted to African talent has been added.

The “Best African Act Award”, in its inaugural year has nominees: Kaysha (DRC), 02 (Angola), Zamajobe (South Africa), 2-FACE Idibia (Nigeria) and Kleptomaniax (Kenya).

The new African award reflects the importance to MTV of the new African TV channel, MTV Base that launched in sub-Saharan African in February this year.

The 2005 Awards will feature performances by Madonna, Akon, Coldplay, Green Day, Foo Fighters, Gorillaz, Robbie Williams, Pussycat Dolls, Shakira, System Of A Down and The Black Eyed Peas and will be hosted by the fictional TV presenter Borat from the Sacha Baron Cohen stable of characters. ?

Meanwhile, front-runners in this years’ nominations race are Coldplay and Gorillaz with 5 nominations apiece. Coldplay consolidate their position as one of the biggest bands in the world with nominations for Best Group, Best Rock, Best Song for ‘Speed of Sound’, Best Album for ‘X&Y’ and Best UK & Ireland Act.

Virtual four-piece, the maverick Gorillaz highlight the success of their album with nominations for Best Group, Best Song and Best Video, Best Pop and Best UK & Ireland Act.

Gwen Stefani completes a stunningly successful year with 4 nominations for Best Female, Best Pop, Best Album and Best Video.

Five artists are nominated for 3 nominations apiece: 50 Cent with nominations for Best Male, Best Hip Hop and Best Album for ‘The Massacre’, US punkers Green Day pick up nominations for Best Group, Best Rock and Best Album for ‘American Idiot’ while Snoop Dogg scores nominations for Best Hip Hop, Best Male and Best Song for ‘Signs’ (featuring Justin Timberlake).

Supergroup U2 secure nominations for Best Group, Best Rock and Best Album for ‘How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb’.