LOS ANGELES – The X3Sixty Network and AVN Media Network have partnered to co-produce a new adult entertainment awards program the companies said will be the first of its kind to both let fans determine the winners and be broadcast on a national television network.
The Sex Awards are scheduled to be announced Sept. 25 during a gala ceremony at Hollywood, Calif., hotspot Lure. The ceremony is expected to be broadcast in January 2014.
The new awards were conceived by X3Sixty Network founders Paul Fishbein and Darren Roberts, who, coincidentally, served as the principles of the AVN Media Network until selling the company in 2010. Fishbein founded the company’s iconic adult-industry trade magazine Adult Video News in 1982; Roberts joined the company as chief executive officer in 1996. The AVN Awards debuted in 1984 and since have earned the nickname “the Oscars of adult.”
“We loved the idea of a new awards show that would differ greatly from the AVN Awards Show, XBIZ Awards, XRCO and all of the other existing events,” Fishbein said. “These awards will be voted on by consumers and have different categories. In addition, the show will have a reality television component that is completely unique.”
Sixteen categories spanning the business of sex have been defined, Fishbein added. Businesses and talent will have a voice during the nomination process, but consumers ultimately will control the winners.
“We will be reaching out shortly to all talent, producers, toy manufacturers, web sites, production and distribution companies — all elements vital to the adult industry — to get their input before the voting site goes live,” Fishbein said. “Companies will be able to get behind their products, talent can use their social-media resources to garner votes, and it will make the whole experience interactive.”
The show itself will be an invitation-only event limited to adult industry insiders.
“We’re pleased to join forces with X3Sixty for the first-ever Sex Awards,” AVN Media Network Chief Executive Officer Theo Sapoutzis said. “For over 30 years the AVN Awards have been the adult industry’s biggest night, gaining massive consumer awareness through its televised broadcast. The Sex Awards gives AVN Media Network the chance to venture into new territory — a less traditional awards show model with entirely fan-based voting and a hybrid production style similar to a cutting-edge reality show. It’s very exciting, and we’re proud to be a part of it.”
