BREAKING: Kathy Griffin to Host 2014 DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced today that the 41st Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards will be hosted by comedian and two-time Emmy® Award winner Kathy Griffin. The program will be presented live to a national and global audience from the ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, June 22.

When reached for comment Griffin said, "I am beyond thrilled to be hosting what I'm told is the most important television event of the year. Knowing that over 100 million people from every corner of the planet will be watching, I will try to keep my nerves at bay and deliver a great show. I can only hope that at the end of the evening, critics and fans alike will compare it to the experience they once had watching Neil Armstrong take man's first step on the moon. My only regret is knowing that this epic evening will distract millions of viewers from enjoying this year's World Cup. I apologize to FIFA."

In January Kathy Griffin won the Grammy-Award for "Best Comedy Album." She is also a two-time Emmy® Award winner, 8-time Emmy® Award nominee, a NY Times bestselling author, and was recently inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for her unprecedented 20 televised stand-up comedy specials.

"We are very excited to have Kathy leading our ceremony this year," said Malachy G. Wienges, Chairman of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. "She is a beloved figure in the community and we know that she will have audiences laughing the night away as we honor the brightest stars in our industry on a global stage."

This is the first time in its history that the prestigious organization will be utilizing streaming technology, provided by Livestream LLC, to broadcast the awards show, and it does so in the hopes that audiences around the world will be able to engage in an event which celebrates programs that are known internationally and boast a global fan base. The 41st Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards will be available for viewing live at www.daytimeemmys.net beginning at 5:00pm on June 22. Emmy® Awards will be handed out for twenty-five categories, including several new ones announced this year.

NATAS will also be connecting with viewers through their social media platforms, enlisting the help of several social media ambassadors to Capture special moments on-site and share them via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine and YouTube.

The Daytime Emmy® Awards recognize outstanding achievement in all fields of daytime television production and are presented to individuals and programs broadcast from 2:00am - 6:00pm during the 2013 calendar year. The 41st Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards is a presentation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in cooperation with The Television Academy (ATAS).

About The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public & Community Service, and Technology & Engineering. NATAS membership consists of more than 13,000 broadcast and media professionals represented in 19 regional chapters across the country. Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive educational programs including Regional Student Television and its Student Award for Excellence for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships, publications, and major activities for both industry professionals and the viewing public. For more information, please visit the website at www.emmyonline.tvFor more information, please visit the website at www.emmyonline.tv

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