Award Central News

Blighty has notched up 33 nominations, followed by Canada with nine. The U.S. received four nods.

In the sitcom category the U.K. won five nominations from a possible eight, with hybrid pubcaster Channel 4 showing strongly thanks to "Free Agents," "Plus One" and "The Inbetweeners."

Veteran BBC laugher "My Family" was also selected in the sitcom category.

Of the four U.S. noms, Endemol USA is nominated in the pitch pilot category for "20Q"

The other U.S. shouts are for reality show "I Survived a Japanese Game Show," made by A Smith and Co. Prods.; Endemol USA skein "Wipeout," selected for the entertainment prize; and "Estate of Panic," also made by Endemol USA, nominated in the game show section.

There were 424 entries, up 6% on last year, something that festival director Urban Frye hailed as a "testament to the importance of winning a Golden Rose."

He added, "The prestige attached to winning represents a significant business advantage to a program, particularly in complicated economic times."

Honorary roses will be presented to Sheena Macdonald, director of special projects at the Canadian Film Center, and George Anthony, creative consultant for TV arts and entertainment at the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

Four-day fest is Europe's top TV competition.