Rock Hall’s New Chairman Says Inductions Will Air Live in 2020 – Cleveland Scene

Bon Jovi at the 2018 Rock Hall Inductions. - JOE KLEON

  • Joe Kleon
  • Bon Jovi at the 2018 Rock Hall Inductions.

Earlier this week, John Sykes, the new Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation told the Los Angeles Times that next year’s ceremony will air live on HBO. That’ll mark a departure from years past as HBO has aired the ceremony a few weeks after the event takes place.

The 2020 Inductions are slated to take place in Cleveland, but the Rock Hall has yet to announce a date and venue.

Given that other awards ceremonies such as the Grammys and the Oscars air live, it makes sense that the Rock Hall Inductions would air live too.

“We have new board members,” Sykes says in his interview with the Los Angeles Times. “The induction ceremony will be live [on HBO] next year instead of taped. We’re also looking to do a lot more in California, because it is a cornerstone of the music business. The best time to reinvent is when you’re on top of the game. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is setting new attendance records, it has gained recognition as a true cultural institution. I think now is our chance.”

It won’t be the first time the Inductions have aired live. In 2008, Fuse TV, a channel that, at the time, tried to rival MTV by airing music videos, rock concerts and music-related programs, inked a three-year deal to air the Inductions live.

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