What Is 2016 UK Music Video Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 UK Music Video Awards took place on November 10, 2016, at the Roundhouse in London, honoring the best music videos and creative talent in the UK and international scenes. Over 30 awards were presented, with major wins going to artists like David Bowie, Radiohead, and Christine and the Queens.

Key Facts

The 2016 UK Music Video Awards were held on November 10, 2016, at the Roundhouse in London.
David Bowie posthumously won Best British Video for 'Blackstar', released just days before his death.
Radiohead received the Icon Award for their groundbreaking contributions to music video artistry.
French artist Christine and the Queens won Best International Newcomer, boosting her global profile.
Over 30 awards were presented across categories including Best Pop Video, Best Rock Video, and Best Animation.

Overview

The 2016 UK Music Video Awards celebrated excellence in music video production, recognizing creative achievements by directors, artists, and production teams from the UK and abroad. Held on November 10, 2016, the ceremony took place at the iconic Roundhouse venue in London, drawing industry leaders, artists, and filmmakers.

This annual event highlights innovation in visual storytelling, showcasing how music videos continue to evolve as an art form. The 2016 edition was especially poignant due to several high-profile tributes and posthumous honors, reflecting the cultural impact of recent releases.

David Bowie won Best British Video for Blackstar, a haunting release that dropped just two days before his death in January 2016.
Radiohead received the prestigious Icon Award, acknowledging their decades-long influence on music and visual experimentation.
The international category saw a strong showing from Christine and the Queens, who won Best International Newcomer for her innovative Christine video.
30+ awards were handed out across genres, including pop, rock, grime, dance, and animation, reflecting the UK's diverse music landscape.
Director Jayne Elliott won Best Live Concert Film for her work on Björk: Cornucopia, a visually immersive performance piece.

How It Works

The UK Music Video Awards operate through a combination of industry nominations, jury evaluations, and public voting in select categories. Entries are submitted by record labels, directors, and production companies, with finalists judged on creativity, technical execution, and cultural impact.

Eligibility Period: Videos released between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016 qualified for the 2016 awards, ensuring timely recognition of recent work.
Jury Panel: Over 150 industry professionals, including directors, producers, and music executives, reviewed entries to determine finalists and winners.
Categories: Awards spanned 30+ categories, including genre-specific honors like Best Hip Hop Video and technical awards like Best Cinematography.
Nomination Process: Finalists were announced in September 2016, with shortlisted videos promoted across the awards’ official platforms and partner media.
Voting System: While most categories were decided by jury, the Best Newcomer award included public voting, increasing audience engagement.
Ceremony Format: The live event featured award presentations, tribute segments, and video screenings, streamed online to a global audience.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key winners and nominees from the 2016 UK Music Video Awards and their respective categories:

Award Category	Winner	Notable Nominees	Date Awarded
Best British Video	David Bowie – Blackstar	Adele, Coldplay, The 1975	November 10, 2016
Best International Newcomer	Christine and the Queens	Anderson .Paak, Zayn Malik	November 10, 2016
Best Pop Video	Justin Bieber – Sorry	Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes	November 10, 2016
Best Rock Video	Radiohead – Burn the Witch	Muse, Foals	November 10, 2016
Best Animation	Beck – Wave	Florence + The Machine, Gorillaz	November 10, 2016

The 2016 awards reflected a shift toward visually ambitious and thematically rich videos, with winners often blending narrative depth and technical mastery. The inclusion of international acts highlighted the UK’s role as a hub for global music video innovation.

Why It Matters

The 2016 UK Music Video Awards underscored the growing importance of visual content in music promotion and artistic expression. As streaming platforms prioritized video, winning or even being nominated boosted visibility and credibility for emerging and established artists alike.

David Bowie’s posthumous win reinforced the cultural significance of his final artistic statements, drawing renewed attention to his legacy.
Winning Best International Newcomer helped Christine and the Queens break into the US and Asian markets in 2017.
The recognition of animated videos like Beck’s Wave encouraged investment in experimental visual formats.
Radiohead’s Icon Award celebrated 30 years of genre-defying music videos, influencing a new generation of directors.
The awards spotlighted UK-based directors, reinforcing London’s status as a creative hub for music video production.
Public voting components increased fan engagement, bridging the gap between audiences and the creative process.

By honoring both technical excellence and emotional resonance, the 2016 UK Music Video Awards affirmed the music video as a vital, evolving art form in the digital age.