Dina Pugliese Named Host of Canada's Got Talent on Citytv; Opera Sensation Measha Brueggergosman and Renowned Songwriter Stephan Moccio Join Martin Short on Judging Panel

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2011 /CNW/ – As Canada’s Got Talent‘s Live Theatre Audition Tour gets underway this week, Citytv today
announced the host and remaining judges for the highly-anticipated
talent competition. Breakfast Television Toronto’s Dina Pugliese will host the original Canadian reality series, while
prominent soprano Measha Brueggergosman and distinguished musician
Stephan Moccio join internationally-renowned Martin Short on the
judging panel.

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A native of Woodbridge, Ont., Pugliese brings more than 10 years of
television experience to her new role on Canada’s Got Talent. The current co-host of Canada’s #1 morning show, Breakfast Television Toronto on Citytv, Pugliese is well-known for her charismatic and engaging
on-screen presence. Prior to joining BT in 2006, she appeared in numerous programs, including MuchMusic VJ Search – The Series, for which she earned a hosting Gemini Award nomination; Canada’s Next Top Model, where she served as guest judge; and Citytv’s Canada’s New Year’s Eve Bash, as co-host of the annual live show. In addition to entertainment
hosting duties on various programs, such as Toronto Today, The A-List, and Star! Daily, she also has a breadth of producing and writing experience from her
early start on Toronto Today and The Bynon Show.

Measha Brueggergosman is most well-known for her stunning soprano voice.
Astounding audiences the world over with her powerful and superb gift,
she is critically acclaimed by the international press for her innate
musicianship and stage presence. The Juno Award-winning soloist from
Fredericton, NB, has performed extensively in famed music halls around
the world, including London’s Wigmore Hall, Roy Thomson Hall, Carnegie
Hall, Spivey Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Palais des Beaux-Arts, to
name a few. She has captivated audiences in such roles as Madame
Lidoine in Dialogues des Carmélites for Vancouver Opera; as Elektra in Idomeneo at Toronto’s Opera Atelier; and as Sister Rose in Dead Man Walking. Plus, Brueggergosman has performed for international dignitaries and
royalty, such as Queen Elizabeth II, Prince of Wales, Queen Margrethe
II of Denmark, Queen Sonja of Norway, Her Excellency the Right
Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Nelson Mandela and Kofi Annan.

Also serving as celebrity judge on Canada’s Got Talent is celebrated composer, pianist and producer Stephan Moccio. Originally
from St. Catharines, Ont., Moccio created the broadcast theme hit, I Believe, for the Canadian coverage of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games,
and counts it as one of the highlights throughout his illustrious
career. As a highly sought-after music creator, Moccio has worked with
internationally-renowned artists, including Céline Dion, Sarah
Brightman, Josh Groban, Olivia Newton-John, Hayley Westenra and Gladys
Knight. He is a recent Juno Award winner and Gemini Award nominee, and
has sold more than 18 million records worldwide. Most recently, Moccio
composed and produced the new theme music for Sportsnet and a new theme
song for Canada’s Walk of Fame.

“We’re thrilled to unveil this talented and dynamic cast for the
inaugural season of Canada’s Got Talent,” said Ed Robinson, Executive Producer, Canada’s Got Talent, Rogers Media. “The powerhouse combination of
internationally-celebrated Canadians Martin Short, Measha
Brueggergosman and Stephan Moccio, along with charming and engaging
host Dina Pugliese, puts Canada’s Got Talent in good stead to uncover the nation’s most promising and talented
acts.”

“Measha and Stephan joining Marty will create a judging panel that is
second to none,” said John Brunton, Executive Producer, Canada’s Got Talent, Insight Productions. “Dina is the perfect host with loads of
experience, her razor-sharp wit and stunning beauty will be a perfect
accompaniment to this panel. Add to this mix the most talented
Canadians in this country, and you’ve got a recipe for endless
entertainment.”

The host and judges embark on the Canada’s Got Talent Live Theatre Audition Tour beginning tomorrow in Calgary, the first of
six cities to see the short-list of talented performers who came out in
unprecedented numbers for the first round of auditions. Tickets for the
tour are available through www.canadasgottalent.com.

Canada’s Got Talent – Live Theatre Audition Tour Schedule

*all dates and venues are subject to change

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Canada’s Got Talent is the largest national talent search in Canadian television history
and will feature a colourful array of hopeful stars, including
comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians,
ventriloquists, dancers and singers all vying for a chance to perform
on national television and win the coveted title. This original series
is a tribute to the rich talents that define and characterize Canada’s
diversity. Tim Hortons is proud to be a founding partner of Canada’s Got Talent. Tim Hortons’ sponsorship components are multiplatform in their
execution and extend across a myriad of Rogers media platforms.

Citytv™ television stations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and
Winnipeg offer viewers intensely-local, urban-oriented,
culturally-diverse television programming. A distinct alternative to
other conventional television stations, Citytv engages its viewers with
dynamic on-air personalities and delivers an entertaining mix of news,
local-interactive formats such as: Breakfast Television and CityLine;
as well as local Canadian and US acquired prime time entertainment
programming. Citytv is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited, a
division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which
is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For more
information on Citytv stations and programming, visit www.citytv.com

Insight Production Company Ltd, headed by John Brunton & Barbara Bowlby has become an industry leader
in the creative development, financing and production of highly rated
television programs and cutting edge multiplatform content for the
global market in every genre. Since 1979, it has been recognized for
its reputation for outstanding quality as the recipient of numerous
International awards, including multiple Gemini’s. The company has
created thousands of hours of groundbreaking television that continues
to be broadcast over major networks worldwide. Recent hits include,
Battle of the Blades, Top Chef Canada, Canadian Idol, The Juno Awards
and Canada Sings. For more information visit www.insighttv.com

About FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of
entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL
Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company, which
is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world’s major
media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia’s worldwide
production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated
prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment
programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of
FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing,
Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. For more
information, visit www.fremantlemedia.com.

About Syco Entertainment
Syco Entertainment is a global joint venture between Simon Cowell and
Sony Music Entertainment focused on the production and exploitation of
music, television, film and digital content. Syco TV and Music includes
the global television franchises The X Factor and Got Talent which currently air in over 60 countries. Syco Music roster includes
superstar artists such as Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle and Il Divo. In
2009, Britain’s Got Talent launched the global music career of Susan Boyle, whose debut album is
world’s fastest selling album in history. Syco Entertainment is based
in London and Los Angeles with a staff of 30+.