Peacock Theater

(Redirected from Microsoft Theater)

The Peacock Theater, formerly Nokia Theatre and Microsoft Theater, is a music and theater venue in downtown Los Angeles, California at L.A. Live. The theater auditorium seats 7,100[2] and holds one of the largest indoor stages in the United States.[3]

Peacock Theater
Exterior of venue in 2022
Former names
  • Nokia Theatre (2007–2015)
  • Microsoft Theater (2015–2023)
Address777 Chick Hearn Ct
Los Angeles, California 90015-4603, U.S.
LocationL.A. Live, South Park, Downtown Los Angeles
Public transit A Line E Line J Line  Pico
OwnerAnschutz Entertainment Group
OperatorAEG Presents
Capacity7,100
Construction
Broke groundSeptember 15, 2005 (2005-09-15)
OpenedOctober 17, 2007 (17 years ago) (2007-10-17)
Renovated2015 (9 years ago) (2015)
Construction cost$120 million
($187 million in 2023 dollars[1])
ArchitectELS Architecture
Structural engineerJohn A. Martin & Associates
General contractorClark Construction
Website
Official website

History

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The theatre was designed by ELS Architecture and Urban Design of Berkeley, California on a commission by the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) in 2002.[3] It opened on October 18, 2007, with six concerts featuring the Eagles and the Dixie Chicks.[2] On June 7, 2015, the Nokia Theatre was re-branded as Microsoft Theater as part of a new naming rights deal with AEG Live[4] following Microsoft's acquisition of Nokia's mobile device business in 2014.[5] As part of the new naming rights deal, the L.A. Live plaza was also renamed Microsoft Square (later known as Xbox Plaza) and Microsoft provided upgrades to the venue's technology.[6][7]

On June 15, 2023, it was announced that the theater would be rebranded as Peacock Theater on July 11 as part of a new naming rights deal between AEG Live and Peacock's parent company NBCUniversal, with Xbox Plaza also rebranded as Peacock Place.[8]

Naming history

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  • Nokia Theatre (October 17, 2007 – June 6, 2015)[9]
  • Microsoft Theater (June 7, 2015 – July 10, 2023)[10]
  • Peacock Theater (July 11, 2023–present)[11]

Awards shows

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Interior view from the stage in October 2007
 
Nokia Theatre in 2008

Since its opening in 2007, the venue has become the venue of multiple entertainment industry awards shows, most notably the Primetime Emmy Awards.

Primetime Emmy Awards

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Since 2008, the theater has been the venue of the annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony after that show moved here from the Shrine Auditorium, except in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was held at the Crypto.com Arena and the Event Deck at L.A. Live, respectively. The Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which take place a week before the Primetime Emmy Awards are also held at this venue. Following the Emmy Awards telecast, the Governors Ball is held across the street at the Los Angeles Convention Center.[12] The Emmys will continue to be held here through 2022 and possibly 2026.[13]

Grammy Awards

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In 2008 and 2011, the venue hosted The Grammy Nominations Live, a concert announcing the nominees for the Grammy Awards. The Grammy Awards take place annually across the street at the Crypto.com Arena, but the Premier Ceremony (also referred to as the "pre-telecast" ceremony) is held here. Approximately 70 Grammy categories are awarded.[14]

American Music Awards

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Since 2007, the annual American Music Awards have been held here after moving from the Shrine Auditorium.

The Game Awards

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Since 2015 (excluding 2020), the theater has hosted The Game Awards, presented by Geoff Keighley.[15]

BET Awards

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The venue has hosted the BET Awards since 2013 (excluding 2020).[16]

ESPY Awards

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The venue hosted the ESPY Awards from 2008 to 2019.

People's Choice Awards

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The venue has hosted the People's Choice Awards from 2010 to 2017.

MTV Video Music Awards

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The venue hosted the MTV Video Music Awards in 2010, 2011, and 2015.

Radio Disney Music Awards

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The venue hosted the Radio Disney Music Awards from 2013 to 2017.[17]

MTV Movie Awards

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The venue hosted the MTV Movie Awards in 2014 and 2015.

iHeartRadio Music Awards

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The venue hosted the iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2019.

Billboard Music Awards

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The venue hosted the Billboard Music Awards in 2021.[18]

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards

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The venue hosted the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in 2023.[19]

The Game Awards

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Held on December 12, 2024.

Sports

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The venue has also served as a sports venue. It has hosted boxing matches and will also serve as a venue during the 2028 Olympics.

Boxing

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The venue has hosted professional boxing matches for circuits such as Golden Boy Promotions and Premier Boxing Champions.[20]

2028 Summer Olympics

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The venue is set to host weightlifting at the 2028 Summer Olympics.[21]

2025 NHL Entry Draft

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The venue is set to host the 2025 NHL Entry Draft next summer for the National Hockey League.[22]

Other events

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The theater has also been used by Microsoft and Nintendo multiple times for press conferences during the E3 trade event.

John Mayer played a concert at the theater on December 8, 2007, for the first revue of his Annual John Mayer Holiday Charity Revue, consisting of three separate performances: the first an acoustic set opened by Mayer and joined by the guitarists from his band, the second with the John Mayer Trio, and the third with Mayer's regular touring band. This was recorded and released as the live album/concert film Where the Light Is.

It was also the venue for the finale of American Idol from 2008 to 2014.

Vocaloid character Hatsune Miku made her U.S. debut at the theater on July 2, 2011, as part of Anime Expo.[23] She returned to the venue on October 11–12, 2014, as part of Miku Expo LA 2014.[24] Both concerts were sold out. Miku returned for another performance on May 6, 2016, as part of her first North American tour.[25] She once again returned as part of her second tour of North America on June 29, 2018.[26]

The live adaption of the children's television series Yo Gabba Gabba! called Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE! There's a Party in My City! was held at theatre in 2011.

2NE1 held a show at this venue as part of their 1st World Tour [New Evolution Global Tour] on August 24, 2012.

The 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions were held at the venue on April 18, 2013.[27] The ceremony was held here again in 2022.[28]

The inauguration ceremony for the 9th Summit of the Americas was held at the theater for world leaders and President Joe Biden in 2022.

On December 11, 2022, the venue hosted the inauguration for Mayor Karen Bass.

Hong Kong boy group Mirror performed their second U.S. concert on April 9, 2024, as part of their first tour, Feel the Passion Concert Tour 2024.[29]

On June 15, 2024, the Peacock Theater hosted a unique fundraiser supporting the Joe Biden for President Campaign. It hosted an interview with President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama being conducted by Jimmy Kimmel. George Clooney and Julia Roberts were also hosts.[30]

References

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  1. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Nokia Theatre L.A. Live-About". Anschutz Entertainment Group. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2008.
  3. ^ a b Sokol, David (May 19, 2008). "Nokia Theatre". Architectural Record. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  4. ^ Brown, August (June 9, 2015). "L.A. Live's Nokia Theatre changes name to Microsoft Theater". Los Angeles Times.
  5. ^ Trenholm, Rich (April 25, 2014). "Microsoft closes Nokia deal, pays more than expected". CNET. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  6. ^ Barnes, Mike (June 9, 2015). "Microsoft Takes Naming Rights to L.A.'s Nokia Theatre (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  7. ^ Fogel, Stefanie (April 16, 2019). "Xbox Will Hold Its E3 2019 Briefing on Jun. 9". Variety. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  8. ^ Haring, Bruce (June 15, 2023). "L.A. Live Complex Inks Naming Rights Deal With Peacock, Streamer To Be Featured Throughout". Deadline. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  9. ^ Wener, Ben (October 13, 2007). "L.A.'s Nokia Theatre is the new kid on the block". The Orange County Register. Freedom Communications. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  10. ^ "L.A. LIVE's Home Of Concerts And Award Shows Renamed Microsoft Theater" (Press release). Los Angeles, California: Anschutz Entertainment Group. PR Newswire. June 9, 2015. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  11. ^ Von Quednow, Cindy (June 15, 2023). "Microsoft Theater, Xbox Plaza at L.A. Live to bear Peacock name". KTLA. Nexstar Media Group. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  12. ^ "Emmys Will Move To New Venue". USA Today. Associated Press. March 11, 2008. Archived from the original on May 20, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
  13. ^ James, Meg (September 3, 2019). "AEG's Microsoft Theater to remain host of the Television Academy's Emmy Awards". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023.
  14. ^ "GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony Performers, Presenters Announced". The GRAMMYs. February 16, 2015. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  15. ^ "The Game Awards 2019 Stream Date". gamespot.com.
  16. ^ Kennedy, Gerrick D. (June 30, 2012). "BET Awards stage one more in the Shrine before going to L.A. Live". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  17. ^ "Radio Disney Music Awards 2014: Full List Of Winners". Forbes. August 23, 2006. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  18. ^ Ellise Shafer (January 25, 2021). "2021 Billboard Music Awards Set to Air in May". Variety. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  19. ^ Denise Petski (January 31, 2023). "Nate Burleson & Charli D'Amelio To Host Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards; Stranger Things Leads 2023 Nominations — Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  20. ^ "Staples Center: 10 years of boxing and counting". ringtv.com. September 17, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  21. ^ Slayton, Nicholas (August 30, 2017). "Downtown Will Have a Huge Role in the 2028 Olympics". Los Angeles Downtown News. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  22. ^ Horwat, Nick (October 9, 2024). "Report: Los Angeles to Host 2025 NHL Draft". Breakaway on SI. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  23. ^ "Japan's Virtual Pop Star Hatsune Miku To Make U.S. Concert Debut At Anime Expo 2011" (Press release). Anime Expo 2011. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  24. ^ "Hatsune Miku Expo Los Angeles". Crypton Future Media.
  25. ^ "Hatsune Miku Expo 2016 North America". Crypton Future Media.
  26. ^ "Hatsune Miku Expo 2018 North America & Mexico". Crypton Future Media.
  27. ^ "Rock and Rock Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 2013". CBS News. April 19, 2013.
  28. ^ "2022 Induction Ceremony in HBO". RockHall.com.
  29. ^ "MIRROR FEEL THE PASSION CONCERT TOUR 2024". MIRROR FEEL THE PASSION CONCERT TOUR 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  30. ^ "Biden taps Obama, George Clooney, Julia Roberts and the Clintons for mega fundraisers". NBC News. May 12, 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
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  Media related to Nokia Theatre, Los Angeles at Wikimedia Commons

Events and tenants
Preceded by Venues of the
Primetime Emmy Awards

2008–present
Succeeded by
Preceded by Venues of the
American Music Awards

2007–present
Succeeded by
Preceded by Venues of the
ESPY Awards

2008–present
Succeeded by
Preceded by Venues of the
American Idol Finale

2008–2014
Succeeded by
Preceded by Venues of the
MTV Video Music Awards

2010–2011
Succeeded by
Preceded by Venues of the
MTV Video Music Awards

2015
Succeeded by
Preceded by Venues of the
People's Choice Awards

2010–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Venues of the
Radio Disney Music Awards

2013–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Venues of the
BET Awards

2013–present
Succeeded by
Preceded by Venues of
The Game Awards

2015–present
Succeeded by
Preceded by Home of the
Los Angeles Valiant

2020–future
Succeeded by