GENEVA, April 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --



TV presenter Lucille Werner is to host this year's Rose d'Or awards. The Rose d'Or has become one of entertainment television's foremost and longest-running international awards and will take place at an evening celebration in Brussels on Thursday 30 May.

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The star of the popular TROS game show Lingo, which attracts almost one million viewers every day, will be calling the shots at the prestigious event, which is coming back home to EUROVISION, whose other competitions include the world's biggest live entertainment show, the Eurovision Song Contest.

EUROVISION Media Director Annika Nyberg Frankenhaeuser says it will be the first time the event takes place outside Switzerland, since its inception in 1961.

"We are delighted to be bringing the Rose d'Or back home, and we think Lucille is perfect for adding a little Eurovision magic to this great entertainment industry award," said Ms Nyberg Frankenhaeuser.

Lucille Werner explains: "The Rose d'Or awards are the gold standard of excellence and achievement in entertainment programming, and a perfect fit for EUROVISION."

Excitement for the event is building. This year has seen a 38 per cent increase in entries across all six categories - Comedy, Sitcom, Game Show, Reality & Factual Entertainment, Arts and Entertainment. 327 programmes have been submitted from 129 production companies and broadcasters from 31 countries worldwide.

The Netherlands is one of the largest contributors, along with the UK, Germany, Belgium, Norway and Israel. Australia and Canada also feature in the top ten. Outside Europe, there are entries from India, China, South Korea and New Zealand.

The 52^nd Rose d'Or event occurs on the penultimate day of the Media Summit, a EUROVISION event which attracts Europe's finest programme makers, content producers and commissioners. Tickets to Rose d'Or also entitle participation in the Media Summit. (Register)

The Rose d'Or:  A Eurovision Award
Location: The Square, Brussels
Date: 30 May, 2013 from 1900

Event contact:  strategicevents@ebu.ch

Note to Editors:

About Lucille Werner

Lucille is the only Dutch TV host with a physical disability, which has become a major source of inspiration for her. Her main goal is to foster a strong and positive image for people with disabilities. She is the driving force behind the CAP Awards, the Cappies and this summer will see the launch of CapsClub on TROS, an adventure series with the lead role being played by a visually handicapped boy.

Lucille has received a number of national and international awards, including the Martin Luther King Award and the Order of Oranje Nassau for her work as a leading representative for a positive view on people with a disability and their talents.

About EUROVISION

EUROVISION, operated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), is the industry's premier distributor and producer of top quality live sport and news, as well as entertainment, culture and music content.

The EUROVISION satellite and fibre network is the largest and most reliable in the world directly plugged in to public service media everywhere.

EUROVISION's staff of experienced media professionals acquire and manage media rights on behalf of EBU Members, and provide network, transmission and events services to the broadcasting industry.

web: http://www.eurovision.com - http://www.ebu.ch

twitter: @EBU_Eurovision #eurovision #ebu

For further information, please contact:
Karen Mazzoli, Media Officer,
T +41-(0)22-717-2415
M +41-(0)79-752-4549
E mazzoli@ebu.ch

SOURCE European Broadcasting Union