In an age where a reality TV show gets more votes than a presidential election (OK, American Idol watchers could vote more than once, but you get the point), it's encouraging to know pop culture can still concede to politics.
MTV decided to move its Video Music Awards up an hour to avoid conflict with Democratic National Convention proceedings, specifically President Obama's acceptance speech because, as Spin's Devon Maloney writes, it "...could cut away a significant chunk of viewership." Says Spin:
The MTV shift, however, is notable because its audience comprises a largely youth-driven demographic, which has long been President Obama's central voting constituency (see: his cool-dad Spotify playlist, his jokes about Jeezy, and of course, his collaboration with the Roots). Obama's ties to the music industry also range from being endorsed by rappers (Jay-Z and Bey have long been welcomed White House guests) to influencing record sales.
Even the NFL has moved its regular-season opener up a day, to Sept. 5., to avoid any conflict.