News

25 November 2008

ENDEMOL IS HONOURED WITH TWO PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARDS

Last night, Endemol format The Big Donor Show won the International Emmy Award in Non-Scripted Entertainment, whilst Dutch crime reporter Peter R. de Vries picked up the award for Best Current Affairs programme.

The renowned award for the Big Donor Show was accepted by Endemol's Head of Programming Paul Römer who is also the creator and producer of the show.

Römer considers last night's victory as a big honour. He commented, "This is a reward for the guts, the creativity and the skills that were needed to fool the world and get away with it. I'm very proud of the worldwide recognition this prize represents. The credits should also go to broadcaster BNN whose engagement with the shortage of organ donors was indispensable."

Paul Römer then highlighted the role of the three kidney patients that participated in the show and who also were present at the ceremony in New York. "They are the true stars of The Big Donor Show. We couldn't have done it without their trust that a controversy of this size was needed to force politicians to seriously look at opportunities and solutions regarding the circumstances they have to meet every day."

The announcement of The Big Donor Show shocked the world. The live broadcast in June 2007 was seen by 1.2 million Dutch viewers.

With the Emmy Award a new chapter has been added to the success story of one of the most controversial shows in television history.

Meanwhile, Investigative reporter De Vries accepted the award for Best Current Affairs programme for his investigation into the disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway on the Caribbean island of Aruba in 2005.

De Vries and Natalee's mother dedicated the prize to the memory of the missing girl.

An emotional De Vries said, 'I have won my share of prizes but this one definitely is the most special of all. This is the prize of prizes. You only win this once.'

Paul Römer added: 'I'm very proud. Winning such a prestigious award means a lot to our company. But I can not stress enough that all credits should go to Peter and his crew. It's their prize; a well deserved reward for a unique crime reporter and his very talented, hard working team. I'm glad to have such skilled people in our company.'