The BRIT Awards will be broadcast live on YouTube.

The annual ceremony, held at London's O2 Arena, will be hosted by comedian James Corden on February 19, with performances from Arctic Monkeys, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Pharrell Williams, Lorde and Disclosure.

It will be the first time the award ceremony is streamed live outside the UK, while the nominees for the first ever BRITs Social Vote for British Video will be revealed via YouTube and Twitter in the lead up to the awards.

BRITs Chairman Christian Tattersfield said: ''Britain has always been a world leader when it comes to producing and championing great artists so it's fitting that our biggest annual celebration of outstanding music will reach such a huge global audience.

''By adding the first ever Social Vote and YouTube live stream we are taking the BRITs to a whole new level, offering a dynamic, engaging and fully interactive experience for fans everywhere.''

The digital shift means fans will now have access to more behind-the-scenes action via the BRITs own YouTube channel, which will see radio presenter Zane Lowe among others catching up with a host of stars on the night.

The BRITs with Mastercard airs on ITV February 19.