NEW YORK: The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced that veteran television broadcaster, Bob Costas, of HBO's Emmy-winning On the Record with Bob Costas, has been named to host the 2003 International Emmy Awards Gala which will be held on 24 November, 2003 at the New York Hilton Hotel.
"The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is very pleased to have Bob Costas as our host for this year's Gala. He is known around the world for his television coverage of the Olympics and his popular HBO show. We are also excited to welcome HBO's star of Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker as the presenter of the International Emmy Founders Award for innovative programming to HBO. The 31st International Emmy Gala will be a truly high-profile, memorable event," said International TV Academy President Fred Cohen.
One of television's most accomplished broadcasters, Costas joined HBO Sports in February 2001 with the debut of the critically acclaimed On The Record With Bob Costas. In April 2003, Costas was presented with the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Studio Host, marking the second straight year that he received that honor for his hosting of On The Record.
In September 2002, Costas joined Cris Collinsworth, Dan Marino and Cris Carter as co-host of HBO's award-winning football programme Inside the NFL, cable's longest-running series. The programme received the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Studio Show-Weekly. Costas also serves as host of various HBO Pay-Per-View boxing specials.
Sarah Jessica Parker continues to receive significant recognition for her character Carrie Bradshaw on the Emmy winning show, Sex and the City. In India the show will commence on HBO next month. In addition to three consecutive Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress, Parker has also been honored with four Emmy nominations. Also an accomplished stage and screen actress, Parker most recently appeared in David Mamet's satirical comedy, State and Main.
Some of Parker's recent feature films include Hugh Wilson's live action version of Jay Ward's 1960's classic cartoon, Dudley Do-Right, Til There Was You, Mars Attacks, Extreme Measures, If Lucy Fell, The First Wives Club, Substance of Fire and Miami Rhapsody.
Currently, Parker is the National Ambassador for the U.S. Fund for Unicef, and was awarded the 1995 American Civil Liberties Union Award.
Other presenters will be announced shortly. In addition to the presentation of the International Emmy Awards, the International TV Academy will present the International Emmy Directorate Award to BBC's Director General Greg Dyke for his outstanding achievement in television broadcasting, and the International Emmy Founders Award to HBO, for its innovative programming.
The International Emmy Nominees will be announced at a press conference in Cannes, France at MIPCOM on 10 October, 2003. This year's sponsors include: Hewlett Packard, Sun Media China, Eurasia Media Forum, Reed Midem, Air France, Sofitel Hotels, Audio Plus Video International and Variety. The show will be produced for the third year in a row by Chip Quigley, Kingdom Productions.
