presenter

1 someone who presents a message of some sort (as a petition or an address or a check or a memorial etc.)

2 an advocate who presents a person (as for an award or a degree or an introduction etc.) [syn: sponsor]

3 person who makes a gift of property [syn: donor, giver]

English

Etymology

-er present

Noun

1. Someone who presents a broadcast programme; a compere or master of ceremonies
2. Someone who presents a thing or person to someone else

Derived terms

• news presenter
• television presenter

Translations

• French: présentateur , présentatrice (1)

A host (sometimes hostess, in feminine form) or presenter is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies (also MC, emcee or host) is a person that hosts or presents a show. In films, a presenter (but not a host) is a usually well-known executive producer credited with introducing a film or filmmaker to a larger audience.

Television presenters

A television presenter is a British term (American: host) for a person who introduces or hosts television programmes. Nowadays it is common for minor celebrities in other fields to take on this role, but there are also a number of people who have made their name solely within the field of presenting, particularly within children's television.

Some presenters may double as an actor, model, singer, comedian etc. Others may be subject matter experts, such as scientists or politicians, serving as presenters for a programme about their field of expertise. Some are celebrities who have made their name in one area, then leverage their fame to get involved in other areas. Examples of this latter group include British comedian Michael Palin who now presents programmes about travel (such as Around the World in 80 Days), and Alan Alda, who has presented Scientific American Frontiers for over a decade.

The term is also used in other countries, such as Ireland. In the USA, such a person is typically called a host or an emcee (from MC: Master of Ceremonies).

A news presenter (American: anchor) is the host of a newscast.

Radio presenter

Broadly speaking Radio presenter is the same as a Television Presenter except that they present radio programmes instead of television programmes.

Co-host

A co-host is someone who is not formally recognized as the host of the show, but co-hosts a show, to add to its content or appeal. A co-host may be used for extra commentary, for interviewing purposes, or to fill in a gap that a regular host has left.

See also

• List of talk show hosts
• List of television presenters
• Narrator

References