DStv viewers will enjoy a playback of two of the biggest award ceremonies of the year, namely the BET Awards and the Billboard Music Awards.  On Wednesday the 29^th, Tune in to Channel O will present for the first-ever African broadcast of the 2011 Billboard Music Awards held in May in Las Vegas (18.30 GMT).

Rihanna kicks off the action with a sultry performance of S&M and a sizzling hot, unannounced Britney Spears duet. The Barbados-born singer later received the Female Artist of the Year award from none other than Justin Bieber. Bieber was another star of the show, raking in Billboard.com’s first-ever Fan Favorite Award after receiving the lion’s share of a massive 1.6 million votes. The Canadian superstar was also named Top New Artist, Top Social Artist, Top Streaming Artist, Top Digital Media Artist, Top Pop Album and Top Streaming Song (video). He was joined by Eminem in receiving a leading six awards.

But it is the live performances and star-studded presenter gallery (including Selena Gomez, Kylie Minogue, Trey Songz, Scott Weiland, and Taylor Swift) that turn this year’s Billboard Music Awards into the must-see event it undoubtedly is. A duet between Far East Movement and Snoop Dogg is one of the show’s highlights along with a collaboration between Mary J. Blige and Lil Wayne.  Other performances come from Black Eyed Peas, Keith Urban, Taio Cruz, Cee Lo Green, Lady Antebellum, Nicki Minaj, Ke$ha, Pitbull, and OneRepublic.

Beyoncé fans will not want to miss a star-studded tribute given to the singer along with the Billboard Millennium Award for her career achievements and influence in the music industry, from her role as the front woman of Destiny’s Child to her three-chart-topping solo albums. Beyoncé’s all-star tribute came from a host of luminaries including America’s First Lady Michelle Obama; singing legend Barbra Streisand; pop star Lady Gaga; U2 front man Bono; and Stevie Wonder.

Then the 2011 edition of the BET Awards which took place on Sunday 26th June at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles with performances by Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Alicia Keys, Lil Wayne and other top performers airs on Thursday, June 30 at 19:00 GMT with a repeat broadcast on Sunday 3rd July at 6pm on BET International.

The star-studded ceremony boasted performances from the likes of Mary J. Blige, with musicians such as P. Diddy to Justin Bieber in attendance. This year’s edition of the ceremony, established by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate the successes of  African Americans and other minorities in entertainment, was broadcast from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.