International Academy Names Emmy Gala Co-Chairs, Directorate Award Recipient

NEW YORK, June 14: The International Academy of Television
Arts & Sciences will present Central European Media Enterprises (CME) and
its founder and chairman, Ronald S. Lauder, with the Directorate Award at this
year’s International Emmy Awards Gala, which will be co-chaired by AETN’s Abbe
Raven and Phoenix Satellite Television’s Liu Changle.

The award will be presented November 20 in New York City
during the 34th International Emmy Awards. Abbe Raven, the president
and CEO of A&E Television Networks, and Liu Changle, the chairman and CEO
of Phoenix Satellite Television, will serve as the Gala Co-Chairs.

CME and Lauder are being honored for their role in growing
the Central and Eastern European television broadcasting market. The company
operates stations in six Central and Eastern European countries, reaching
approximately 82 million people: Croatia (Nova TV), Czech Republic (TV Nova,
Galaxie Sport), Romania (PRO TV, Acasa, PRO Cinema), Slovakia (TV Markíza),
Slovenia (POP TV, Kanal A) and Ukraine (Studio 1+1, Studio 1+1 International,
Gravis).

The Directorate Award is given to organizations or
individuals in management, administration, engineering, news, programming,
and/or international relations for their outstanding contributions, over a
period of time, to the arts and sciences of international television. Last
year’s recipient was ITV.

"CME was one of the first media companies to enter
Central and Eastern Europe after the fall of communism,” said Bruce Paisner,
the president and CEO of the International Academy and the president of Hearst
Entertainment. “It participated in building independent media in formerly
communist countries and in the process became a financial success, as
well."

Lauder noted, “Since our founding we have been committed to
the people of the recently democratized nations of Central and Eastern Europe,
providing world class news and entertainment through our independent television
stations. Our belief in the people of the region is exemplified in our business
strategy, which is based on working closely with local partners and placing an
emphasis on locally produced programming. CME’s success has been and will
continue to be directly related to the tremendous efforts of our local
employees and the support of our viewers, making this award a reflection of the
courage and strength of all the people of Central and Eastern Europe.”

At this year’s ceremony, the International Academy will present
its annual Founders Award to Steven Spielberg, as well as International Emmys
in 14 categories. Nominees will be announced on October 9, at a press
conference at MIPCOM.