The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and NBCUniveral have announced a partnership to air the 2013 ALMA Awards live on MSNBC with programming on MSNBC, mun2 and digital platforms including mun2.tv and Telemundo.com.

The ALMA Awards will be live for the first time since its inception in 1995.

The awards show, held during National Hispanic Heritage Month, will celebrate the contributions of Latinos in the entertainment industry with a look back at this year’s outstanding achievements; tributes to career excellence, outstanding causes and philanthropy; and inspiring music performances and acts.

The barrier-breaking awards show, which stands for the American Latino Media Arts, is the only nationally televised primetime English-language program celebrating Latino contributions to entertainment and media.

In addition to the live special, MSNBC will also present a one-hour news special discussing issues impacting the Latino community. The special will draw on the most important issues that the Latino community and the country are facing, such as immigration reform and education, as well as the causes featured by the honorees of the awards tributes.

The ALMA Awards will be broadcast live on Friday, September 27 at 10:00 pm ET on MSNBC.